(For Release On Or After 08/15/09) Designing a garden is one of the more intimidating things gardeners expect of themselves. It’s challenging enough to learn all you need to know to select, plant and care for landscape plants successfully. But design is not just learning how to plant and water. It requires an expression of something from inside.

(For Release On Or After 08/01/09) Although native to the Far East, crape myrtles are almost indispensable in the Southern landscape. Their vibrantly colored flowers in shades of pink, purple, red and white from May to September virtually define the summer season here. The relatively small size of crape myrtle trees and long, colorful blooming season make them useful in a variety of landscapes.

(For Release On Or After 08/08/09) I live in an area that is rural transitioning into suburban. In many areas of the state, developers are building more and more new subdivisions in areas that were once wooded or open fields. People moving to these new subdivisions from more urban areas are often startled to encounter wildlife they never saw in the cities, such as deer, raccoons, armadillos, opossums and moles.

Most garden tools have fixed handles that may be made of wood, fiberglass or metal. But an LSU AgCenter engineer says some tools now are available with separate handle and toolhead components that can be interchanged as desired.

Electrical units are fine for small lawns, gasoline hand-held units are the best choice for larger home sites and backpack blowers are a good choice for professional users.

Leaf blowers are efficient, useful tools that annoy some people. Be aware of the problem, and use your leaf blower responsibly to avoid losing the privilege.

(Distributed 04/03/09) Late March through early May is the prime time for planting our spring annuals in Louisiana. Warm-season bedding plants make a great addition to our home and commercial landscapes.

(Audio 12/01/08) Gardening doesn't stop in the winter. The vegetable garden can be productive all year long in Louisiana. Gardeners have a number of vegetables they can plant in December. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/06/08) The late fall and winter months in Louisiana are great for planting fruit trees and shrubs. Ones that work well in our landscapes include fig, citrus, blueberry, pawpaw, pomegranate and persimmon. Most can be easily grown, are low maintenance, have appealing forms, good texture, attractive colors and provide wildlife benefits. These characteristics “fit the bill” for a sustainable landscape.

(Distributed 07/02/08) The No. 1 yard tree problem in Shreveport-Bossier is construction damage, according to Ricky Kilpatrick, LSU AgCenter area forestry agent.