This publication provides a glimpse of the potential production and marketing environments for 2008 for most of the commercially produced commodities in the state.

March 2008 edition of the St. Charles Parish 4-H Newsletter.

Topics covered include: 2008 officers elected, tomato greenhouse project, Rose Marie's Book Club and ongoing Master Gardener projects.

As discussed in the previous newsletter, soybean seed supply of varieties commonly planted will be limited this year. Producers potentially will have to evauluate other options to meet their soybean seed needs; one such option is planting maturity group 3 soybeans.

St. Charles Parish 4-H monthly newsletter

Free Seminar for Homeowners - Learn about…· Improving wind and rain resistance of roof, roof deck, felt and shingles· Protecting window and door openings, including garage doors· Anchoring walls when they’re open (inside or out) for repair· Bracing columns for overhangs (porches, carports, patios)· Adding structural sheathing (inside or out) when repairing walls· Protecting exterior walls from wind and rain when replacing siding

February is the time of year when several broadleaf weeds such as clover, oxalis, dandelion and Carolina geranium become quite noticeable throughout the home lawn. Left to flourish these weeds can weaken turf areas and contribute to a mowing nightmare with the first cutting in spring.

This weed control guide is prepared as a joint effort between Dr. Jim Griffin, School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, and Drs. Ed Richard and Caleb Dalley, USDA-ARS SRRC, Sugarcane Research Unit, Houma, LA.

The LFGC annual membership dues for 2008 are now due. If you did not pay your annual dues at the LFGC annual meeting in December, please fill out the form at the end of this newsletter and send it in as soon as possible. LFGC strives to put on some excellent programs and the organization needs your involvement.

Hopefully at this point fields are drained and preparations are underway for the coming growing season. There are some fields that are very clean and others with a mat of green vegetation completely covering the rows.