Includes information on wildlife food planting, proper land preparation for the food plots, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission changes for the upcoming hunting season, things you should do now in your yard, and vegetables you can plant at this time.

I'm beginning to get calls to go and look at citrus trees. Trees and fruit are having problems with leafminers and leaf-footed plant bugs.

We are in a transitional period with landscape beds as unwanted plants (i.e. weeds) are popping up at this time of year due to heavy rainfall, thinning or washed away mulch, or other reasons. Now is a great time to re-mulch your landscape beds as you transition for the spring season.

Late July through mid-August is the best time to prune roses in your landscape. The pruning is less severe than what was done in February but necessary to maintain maximum health of your plants and will lessen disease pressure, remove old growth and improve the overall health of the plant.

Topics include: New Mimosa Tree Unique, Brief Recognition Factors - Old Mimosa, Problems with Old Memosa, Brief Recognition Factors - Summer Chocolate Mimosa, Problems with Summer Chocolate Mimosa, Fall Vegetable Planting, Question and Answer.

Includes information on the Crape Myrtle, Brief recognition factors, negative aspects, Trees and Hurricanes, Vegetables to plant in August and a Question and Answer.

Information and hints given on how to prevent storm damage in trees, the best way to trap rats, and update on our Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic and Nematode Advisory Service and information on when you should fertilize you fig trees.

The flathead catfish (Pylodictus olivaris) goes by a number of common names: gougon, Opelousas cat, yellow cat, tabby cat, shovelnose cat and several others.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the Horticultural Advisory Council.

Mild environmental conditions can bring about interesting visuals in lawns in the Houma-Thibodaux area. We often see lawns with mushrooms or doughnut rings of dying or dark green grass. These are referred to as fairy rings and cause many homeowners to ask questions about why this phenomenon occurs this time of year.

The drought conditions this year have decreased insect and disease pests causing a higher bloom percentage on established crape myrtles throughout the region.

By mid-April citrus trees are growing profusely and the fruit set on the trees is getting larger by the day. It will not be long before the fruit of the yield will be ready to harvest!

The tomato is one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. They require little space when staked and tied, and can produce five to 10 pounds of fruit per plant.

The LSU AgCenter has recently released a new publication for home lawns based on research-based best management practices (BMPs). With the recent drought conditions, this publication will help many residents to get their lawns back into shape and encourage the appropriate implementation of research-based management practices.

Fashion Club members took a break at Christmas for a little Christmas Social. Members came to the social with Santa hats decorated – they were all very creative.

Fashion club members decorated Mardi Gras masks and delivered them to a local nursing home.

Members sewed large Christmas stockings to donate to local hospitals for babies born around Christmas.

Members made Fleece hats and scarves for themselves, then made several more to donate to “Caps for Kids”.

Members decorated Christmas bags for a local volunteer organization to distribute Christmas gifts.

Junior Leaders assisted Acorns of Hope plant over 100 trees at Grand Bois Park. Members learned how to properly plant these trees and helped the environment in their community.

The 94th Annual State 4-H University contests were held on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, on June 17-22, 2008. 4-Hers throughout the state competed in various contest. Celebrating its Centennial, the theme for 4-H U this year was Louisiana 4-H Raising the Bar for 100 years.

Junior Leaders hosted a booth at the CASA Spring Fest for KIDZ held each year in downtown Houma.

Junior Leaders delivered Christmas wreaths for residence at a local nursing home, sang Christmas Carols, and visited with the residence.

The Terrebonne Parish Fashion Club started the year learning the basics of sewing and began with a no-sew project: Fleece Pillows. They enjoyed making the pillows.

Basically, there are two types of blackberries – the erect type and the trailing type. The distinction between the two is their growth habit.

Citrus rust mites can cause symptoms such as browning or darkening of round oranges due to citrus rust mites on the fruit. These pests are very small, are a deep yellow and wedge shaped. You will need a 20X hand lens to see then as they are not visible to the naked eye.

4-H News for July includes information on Terrebonne Parish 4-H Membership and Participation Policies, Livestock Information, and Results in District and State Horse Shows.

Information on fertilizing, pruning and cold hardiness of citrus trees. Information on lawn weed management is also included.

Contains frequently asked questions related to gardening and horticulture for the home gardener.

4-H Members participated in a Pumpkin Can Workshop at the local Terrebonne Parish 4-H Office. 4-Her’s decorated cans to look like harvest pumpkins. They learned the importance of recycling and what items should be recycled. 4-Her’s also learned information on planting pumpkins.

4-H Members throughout the parish attended an Environmental workshop, learning about the importance of trees in our environment, playing Who Wants to be a “Tree”illionair, and finally making an environmentally friendly craft – Pine Cone Bird Feeders.

(Distributed 06/25/08) It's time to enjoy Louisiana blueberries. Luckily, blueberries are nature's No. 1 source of antioxidants among more than 50 fresh fruits and vegetables tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.

Drinking enough fluids is important during our hot summer weather – especially for senior citizens.

Topics covered include: Brief recognition factors on the willow oak tree, the sugarcane field day, caterpillars in trees, and wildlife food planting.

Topics include: Little Gem Magnolia, Hibiscus Whiteflies, Bluebonnets, and vegetables to plant in July.

The Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP) is a local effort to educate the public on the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment, to encourage recycling through a network of line recycling bins and drop-off locations, and to conduct volunteer monofilament line cleanup events.

July 4th is an important date for our country and independence. It is also important from a horticultural perspective relating to azaleas growing in the landscape. If you have not pruned your azaleas, now is your last chance before next years buds are put on by the plant.

Junior Leaders Celebrates 100 years of 4-H in Louisiana.

Junior Leaders celebrate 100 years of 4-H in Louisiana.

Terrebonne Parish 4-H and Junior leaders went Green this year, learning about different environmental issues and completing different community service activities to help the environment. Junior leaders took part in a Trash Bash before one of their Junior Leader meeting.

Junior Leaders help the Children’s Advocacy Center prepare for Child Abuse Prevention Month by planting flowers to place around the center.

Includes information on the Ginko (Maidenhair) Tree, Brief recognition factors, negative aspects, whiteflies on Hibiscus, Lawn Concerns, Tree Troopers Class, Outdoor Activities for Summer and Question and Answer.

This year, our goal is to hold one training that will inform you and get you ready for the upcoming 2008-2009 4-H year.

Fresh cherries are a nutrient dense food, in that for a relatively low number of calories, the consumer receives a significant amount of quality nutrients and phytochemicals. They are loaded with several types of key antioxidants, but are especially rich in an antioxidant called anthocyanins, the natural pigments also responsible for the glorious red color.

At the time of the writing of this news column, the nation is experiencing a salmonellosis outbreak in certain raw tomatoes. This includes raw plum tomatoes, raw Roma tomatoes, and raw round tomatoes.

Cercospora leaf spot, which is caused by the fungus Cercospora lythracearum, first appears as circular irregular, brown spots with no yellow halo. You will see these symptoms expressed on crape myrtles in the late spring through summer.

Hot days really test your devotion to landscape care. Working outside in July is not very pleasant, but some plants do need attention.

Mid June through July 4th is the time to plant pumpkin seeds if you want to have some ready to harvest by the end of October.

4-H News for June includes 2008 4-H Day at the Capitol, Terrebonne Parish 4-H Want YOU as a 4-H Volunteer, and upcoming events.

Topics include: Preparing landscape for summer storms, Pine Colaspis Beetle and Pine Needle Scale, Africanized Honey Bees, Bee Terms, Precautions Around Bees, and Vegetables to Plant in June.

At this time of the year, bell peppers are the delightful Christmas ornaments of the vegetable garden. Their beautifully shaped glossy exterior comes in a wide array of vivid colors ranging from green, red, yellow, orange, purple, brown to black. Although available throughout the year, they are most abundant and tasty from June through mid July.

In late winter and early spring you will see insects such as white flies attacking the recent lush growth on most citrus trees in the area. White flies basically suck the sap out of these leaves and secrete honeydew that will eventually turn into what we call black sooty mold.

Find out you can serve your community with a wide variety of service project ideas!

The LSU AgCenter will hold a “Tomato Field Day” on Wednesday, June 11 at 5:00 PM at the Waterproof Ridge Farm located on 3719 Bayou Black Drive in Houma. Registration will begin at 4:00 PM and the program will begin at 5:00 PM and conclude by 7:00 PM. This educational program is free and open to the public.

Emergency generators are popular after disasters, but they can be dangerous if not used properly.

This test of 20 questions can help you determine whether you and your family will be prepared if a hurricane comes your way.

Includes information on the Green Ash, Brief recognition factors, negative aspects, Arizona Ash comparison, Pecan Phylloxera Galls, Buckeye Rot on Tomatoes, Vegetables to plant in June and Question and Answer.

This presentation includes a number of pictures of insects and mites that attack backyard citrus in Louisiana. It also includes current recommendations for control. Note that you should check to make sure that all insecticides are currently labeled before using them on your citrus.

This powerpoint presentation includes pictures of insects and mites that attack commercial citrus groves in Louisiana. It also discusses a recommended insecticide plan to control these insects and mites to minimize their impact on yield in citrus groves. Be sure to check and make sure all chemicals that are recommended are currently labeled before applying them to citrus trees.

Pick up Louisiana citrus at roadside stands and in local markets and groceries from now through February. The peak season comes during the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

This gallery includes pictures of insects that attack citrus in Louisiana.

Consumers will find an abundance of high quality Louisiana-grown citrus this year, according to growers and industry observers.

The purpose of this report is to provide estimates of cost of production and net returns for a Louisiana citrus grower with about 5 acres in production. A citrus grove has a long productive life. Budgets evolve over the first five years of the enterprise from establishment costs to a grove approaching maturity. Succeeding years would be similar to the 5th year budget.

With most of the citrus groves in Plaquemines Parish destroyed by last fall’s hurricanes, growers in the Lafourche-Terrebonne area are preparing to fill part of that market niche.

Farmers attending workshops in Acadia and Calcasieu parishes Tuesday (Oct. 25) learned about assistance for dealing with hardships caused by two hurricanes that struck the state this summer. Similar sessions, organized by the LSU AgCenter, were planned for New Iberia, Hammond and Raceland over the next few days.

Louisiana citrus is another of the state’s agricultural crops heavily damaged by the hurricanes this year. Officials say some Louisiana citrus will be available despite the devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina to southeastern Louisiana, but they warn it will be at a premium.

(Distributed 10/07/03) LSU AgCenter faculty members teach workshops throughout the year to assist agricultural producers and others in becoming and remaining certified to apply pesticides in a manner that will keep the food and fiber supply safe.

Stressing that production agriculture alone is not enough to sustain rural economies, a leading food science expert said farm productivity needs to be converted to consumer-ready products.

(Distributed 11/06/03) Three new, early-ripening varieties of satsuma mandarins have given Louisiana producers a head start on the state’s annual citrus harvest.

A quarterly newsletter from the Horticulture Division of the LSU AgCenter's School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences.

The cold weather we typically receive now through January can cause problems for home and commercial citrus in our area. It is important to know the critical temperatures and the factors affecting them.

I get numerous phone calls during June each year related to home and commercial citrus production pertaining to one recurring problem associated with this delicious fruit. Many residents will bring in samples of the small immature fruit that appears to have been attacked by some type of disease.

Living in south Louisiana, we know that getting ready for the storm means stocking batteries, candles, water, canned goods and first aid supplies. We also need to think about the landscapes that surround our homes or businesses and how they can provide a buffer zone that can reduce storm damage.

Gives information on caring for trees during a drought, the top five mistakes in landscape planting and how to control armadillos in your yard.

Fishing with live bait? Here are some tips that will insure your live bait is lively when it is used for luring your prey. Although there are many different gadgets and gizmos available, this is intended to cover the basics of holding and handling live bait. For live baits like cocaho minnows, croakers or shrimp, the first consideration is water quality. The water quality requirements that should be maintained are oxygen, temperature, and salinity.

4-H News for May includes the 2008 4-H Achievement Day Celebration Contest results, 2008 Outstanding 4-H Members, 2008 Oustanding 4-H Leader, 2008 Outstanding 4-H Junior Leader, Community Club Award, Parish Activity Awards, 4-H Night with the PBR, 2008 4-H/LSU Football Game, and 2008 4-H Centennial Raffle.

Are you one of the 30% of adults who is not aware of your high blood pressure? May is National Blood Pressure Awareness Month and is a good time to find out if you are.

Roses are one of the most popular landscape plants in the United States. Care of these plants through the summer will go a long way in making them perform ideally when growing conditions are more favorable for their optimum performance.

Most of the cool-season crops and some plantings of early summer vegetables such as snap beans are finishing up by June.

Provides list of members and links to meeting minutes for the Joint Advisory Council.

LSU AgCenter agents receive numerous calls regarding diseases in tomatoes and other garden crops. Many times, home gardeners inflict problems by not following label directions on herbicide and other pesticides.

The ripening of tomatoes in the garden usually brings in some devestating insects that seem to have a ravenous desire for the tasty tomato fruit.

LSU AgCenter & La. Sea Grant will hold a free Recreational Fish Pond Management Workshop on Tuesday May 13, 2008 from 5:30pm to 7:00 pm at the Jean Lafitte National Park/Lafourche Parish Library Building

Cajun Chronicles Newsletter - includes information on 4-H Centennial Clover Hunt, Marsh Maneuvers, 4-H/LSU Football Game, 4-H Night with the PBR, 2008 Livestock Exhibitors, Volunteers Needed, Congratulations to William Dunckelman, and Commodity Cookery Results.

Topics include: Sago Palm, Deseases on Ornamental Trees, Powdery Mildew on Crape Myrtles, Vegetable Production is now in Full Swing and Africanized Honey Bee (Killer Bees).

News concerning the damage caused by ambrosia beetles, control methods and tree care products.

Aquatic weeds are a common problem in recreational ponds. This document discusses aquatic weeds and ways of controling them.

You shoulld ALWAYS call the Louisiana One Call number at least 48 hours before doing any digging.

4-H May 2008 Events.

Guilde to online horticulture publications.

May is a good time to consider planting some annual bedding plants or herbaceous perennials for the summer ahead.

Finding the right landscape professional is a major decision to make when you're looking for someone to work on your home grounds, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

4-H News for April includes Area 4 Commodity Cookery results, 2008 Livestock Exhibiters, Centennial Clover Hunt, Attention Junior Gardeners, 4-H University, and information on the Terrebonne Parish 4-H Centennial Reunion

Roses are in full bloom and add beauty to any landscape.

Recent work conducted at the University of Louisiana Lafayette has shed new light on a species that has a long fishery history in the state. The river shrimp is well known in the Mississippi, Atchafalaya and Red River systems. It was a common item on New Orleans menus early in the 1900s, but now supports only a limited bait fishery in some areas of Louisiana. River shrimp are still very common in many rivers, and undoubtedly are a major component of riverine ecosystems.

With strawberry season in full swing, choose Louisiana strawberries for a nutritious, healthy treat.

Topics covered include: Chinese Pistache, brief recognition factors, termites swarming, tree care, and vegetables to plant in April.

It is important to properly distribute the recommended type and amout of fertilizer over your lawn and then water it.

April 2008 issue includes information concerning the Cabbage Palm, Brief Recognition Factors, Some problems encountered, Colored Vegetables, Things to do in the landscape, Question and Answer and the Terrebonne Parish 4-H Centennial Reunion.

Article includes information on buyer beware of wannabe door-to-door arborists, grape tomatoes and question-and-answer section.

Article includes information on buyer beware of wannabe door-to-door arborists and gives advice for those with damaged trees.

Do not fertilize your lawn until the first week of April. Soil pH is the key for fertilization success.

The first week of April is the time to fertilize your warm season lawn such as Bermuda grass, centipede and St. Augustine. If you had or have brown patch disease in your lawn, hold off on fertilizing until you get this fungal disease under control. The following tips will be helpful in determining the appropriate type of fertilizer for your lawn.

There are at least two reasons for using controlled-release fertilizer. First, controlled-release fertilizer is less likely to burn your turf, since less of the fertilizer is immediately available. Second, by using a controlled-release fertilizer you can make one application last longer - typically six to eight weeks between applications.

Many home gardeners grow tomatoes in their vegetable gardens. Some self-inflicted problems have can be avoided by reading and following label directions when pesticides are being used.

A clean home is a happy and healthy home. This year while doing your spring cleaning, watch out for bedbugs.We may think of bedbugs as happening somewhere else, but that notion can’t be further from the truth. Bedbugs can appear right under your nose or, more correctly, right in you own bed!

Cajun Chronical Newsletter - includes information on 4-H Summer Camp, 4-H University, 4-H Achievement Day, 4-H Day at the Capitol, 2--8 4-H Centennial Reunion, 2--8 Livestock Exhibiters, 4-H Centennial Update, Poultry Day Results, Bayou Area 4-H Hourse Show, and Junior Leader Update.

4-H April 2008 Events

Are you a former 4-H Alumnus? If so, Terrebonne Parish 4-H would like to invite you to the 2008 Centennial 4-H Reunion.

Cutting heights are important for healthy grass.

Now that spring is here it is important to remember that high insect populations usually go along with plants growing rapidly. The problem with these insect pests is that some of them can have a negative effect on humans as well as plants.

As expected, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has published a final rule implementing the approved regulatory actions in Joint Amendment 27 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, and Amendment 14 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 27/14).

4-H March 2008 Events

With the recent cool and warm weather fluctuation going on, we are beginning to see a lot of insect activity. We are starting to see the small black-brown winged insects flying around outside with some found inside the home. These insects may be termite swarmers.

Article includes information on fleas in the yard, snap bean varieties, fertilizing lawns, sycamore trees, quick notes and vegetables to plant.

Topics included: Palms for the Landscape, Brief Recognition Factors, Facts on Palms, Palm Pests, Checklist and What to Look for Now, Terrebonne Parish 4-H Centennial Reunion, Vegetables to Plant in March and Question and Answer Section.

Includes information on the Grancy Graybeard, Brief Recognition Factors of the White Fringe Tree, Earthworms in Yards, Checking Your Landscape and Vegetables to Plant in March.

The warmer weather trends of March make most gardeners ready to work outside. First, let's take a brief look at landscape gardening, then vegetable gardening.

Lists the variety, type, shape, fruit size, source and sales information for tomatoes that are commercially available.

Azalea lace bugs are a leading pest of azaleas and already are active. A small insect, the lace bug attacks azalea foliage, causing it to become stippled with small white dots.

March and April are the ideal times to set out warm season annual bedding plants in our area. Most of spring bedding plants can be planted around the area from late March through May.

There is no better time in South Louisiana than March when the azaleas are in full bloom and many yards, gardens and landscapes are a buzz with activity.

Describes problems associated with growing shallots or green onions, which are in the Alliaceae or Onion Family.

Recent rainfall and other environmental conditions are causing some irritating weeds to come into our lawns at this time. A weed is defined as and plant growing out of place.

The answer to the hungry question, "Is it Done Yet?" is the basis of a national campaign to encourage the use of food thermometers when preparing meat, poultry and egg dishes to prevent foodborne illness.

If you're considering planting a pecan tree or two, you should do it by late February. The dormant season for pecan trees ends in early March, and trees must be set out before the growing begins. Container-grown pecan trees may be planted on into spring as long as it remains cool.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, non-point source (NPS) pollution is the nation's leading source of water quality degradation. Describes ways to prevent non-point source pollution.

Score sheet used to keep track of school activities, club socials, 4-H workshops and community service projects. This score sheet is due back to the 4-H agents on Thursday, April 10, 2008.

Vegetable producers and home gardeners are making plans for winter gardens during this dry period. November is a great time to establish your vegetable garden by preparing your rows, taking a soil sample and selecting what you plan on growing.

In November of each year, our warm-season turf-grasses will soon be going into a dormant state throughout the winter until the changing season brings them back to life in the spring. There are some hardy gardeners who love to have a green lawn throughout the year, so an over-seeding of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is done October 15 through mid-November.

From time to time we see samples of cucumbers, mustard greens and other vegetables with the powdery mildew fungus on them.

A pecan disease problem that we see during the spring and summer is called pecan scab. This fungal disease affects the shuck and the foliage of your pecan trees.

Many residents begin working in their lawns, landscapes and gardens in late February and early March. This period of increased activity will result in increased use of pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and miticides) to control disease, weed, insect and mite pests.

During summer months we will see bagworms (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) hanging on the branches of ornamental plants in area landscapes.

We are approaching the time (Halloween and Valentine's Day are the best times) that you will need to apply pre-emergent herbicides to your lawn to control winter annual weeds such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and burweed (Soliva sessilis).

Cajun Chronicles newsletter includes information on Poultry Day, Achievement Day, 4-H Livestock Show and Sale, Centennial T-Shirt Sale, Portfolio due date, Camp Roughin' It, 4-H Day at the Capitol, Rural Electric Youth Tour, Litter Bug Letter, and 4-H University.

This edition includes information on Louisiana Master Gardner Program, 2008 All-American Selection Winners, What to do before and after a freeze, pruning everblooming roses, pruning once-blooming roses, Spanish Moss - Friend or Foe?, Have you thanked a tree lately, Turfgrass and Lawns, Vegetables to plant in December, January and February, Crop highlights, Fruitfulness and Pollination.

Topics include: Tree Seedling Giveaway, Citrus Trees and Sooty Mold, Question and Answer.

According to Dr. Carl Motsenbocker, organic gardening, or ecological gardening, is not new as it has been practiced for many years throughout the world. In fact, before gardeners relied on the relatively recent practices of using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, organic gardening was the norm.

4-H News for February includes 4-H Livestock Show and Sale, 4-H Poultry Day, Happy Birthday 4-H, Terrebonne Parish 4-H Centennial Reunion

If you planted Irish potatoes in January or early February, you should begin seeing the plants mark the row(s). They will begin emerging from the seed pieces you planted four to six inches deep.

Caladiums will generally begin to go into decline during September so you need to make a decision on what to do with them.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus disease of humans and animals that is usually transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes obtain the virus when they bite infected birds, which is where the virus is maintained by nature. WNV is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis, but it normally causes a milder disease in people.

A common misconception about plant care is that plants require fertilizer for proper nutrition. Plants do need nutrients, but they don’t necessarily need fertilizer.

Garden mums have become a popular choice for the fall home landscape, as they will add color during a transitional season. You may want to try them in a landscape bed combined with the low growing Wave series of petunias or French varieties of dwarf marigolds.

Provides information on the proper way to prune Crape Myrtle trees.

List problems in maintaining turf, garden and ornamentals in our area.

The success of a home fruit orchard is influenced greatly by the site selected.

January is the time to prune evergreens and summer flowering shrubs and trees. Do not prune spring blooming plants such as azaleas.

Topics covered: Brief Recognition Factors on the Drake Elm, Flowering Trees in the Landscape, Millipede, Things to do now, Question and Answer.

Brown patch in lawns is caused by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and thrives in mild, moist conditions.

Cajun Chronicles Newsletter - includes information on Centennial Celebration, Portfolio Workshop, Poultry Day, Ground Beef Cookery, Egg Cookery, Poultry Cookery, Chicken-Queing Contest, Live Broiler Contest, Best Dressed Chicken Contest, 4-H Livestock Show and Sale, Bumper Sticker Design Contest Results, Wreath Decorating Contest Results, Environmental Workshops, Jr. Leader Update, Centennial Poster Contest, Hoops & Clovers, and Beef Poster Contest.

As of this writing we have had an unusually mild winter so far. Many of our landscape plants are beginning to break buds and produce flowers and pollen a month earlier than normal. With this brings problems from weeds and trees and molds associated with warm humid conditions. Also included in this writing is information regarding vegtables to be planted in February.

In observance of January as Pear Month, the LSU AgCenter recommends eating pears. That's because they are a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C when eaten raw with the skin on.

4-H News for January includes information on the Centennial Celebration. Terrevonne Parish wants you as a 4-H Volunteer, Junior Leader Update and Upcomming Events.

Thank you for participating in the 4-H Centennial T-Shirt Sale. We hope that you will proudly wear your shirts throughout the year to promote 100 years of 4-H in Louisiana.

Includes a tree species profile on Nuttall Oak, Information on New Tree Planting and Fertilization, Establishing Tree Fertilization, Citrus Fruit Problems and the the definition of surfactant.

While it is best to transplant most trees and shrubs in the late fall and winter, the best time to transplant a palm is in the spring and summer (end of April through August).

List of events for the 2008 year for the Terrebonne Parish 4-H.

4-H news for December includes information on the 4-H Centennial Celebration, Junior Leader ROC Awards, and Happy Holiday wishes from the 4-H Agents.

Topics include: Oriental or Caucer Magnolia, Brief Recognition Factors, Negative Aspects of the Tree, Ornamental Sweet Potatoes, Hummingbird Feeders, Vegetables to Plant in January, and Question and Answer.

January and February are ideal months for gardeners to plan, prepare and plant roses. At this time of year, new rose bushes can be planted, and established bushes can be given the maintenance they need to get off to a good start this spring.

Includes information on Time to Plant Shade Trees, Small Flowering Trees to Plant, Pruning and Fertilizing Trees, Photophthora Foot Rot on Citrus and Questions and Answers.

Provides information on fall planting for trees as well as recommendarions for planting garlic, Broccoli and Cauliflower. Also has information relate to hurricanes and trees.

Includes information on the American Holly and Christmas Cactus. Also included is a list of vegetables to plant in January.

With all the information related to vegetables and E coli in the news media, I feel it is critical for home gardeners to have some additional research-based information on this topic. Here are some tips taken from University of Colorado Extension Service publication (no. 9.369, Preventing E. coli From Garden to Plate, J.G. Davis and P. Kendall) that will insure that you will not have to deal with this in your home garden.

Information on fertilization of landscape and citrus trees, planting Irish potatoes, citrus leafminer and information on pruning shrubs.

Sometimes, despite our well-intentioned efforts, the landscape suffers, and we must begin rebuilding or reconditioning the site.

If you have a holiday plant, such as a poinsettia, chrysanthemum, Christmas pepper, Christmas begonia, or the like, you can enjoy its colors for several weeks if you give it the right kind of care.

December, January and February are the best months for transplanting trees and shrubs. Now is the time to make plans on moving these plants in the landscape.

Most plants in our landscapes are completely winter hardy. But some of us have tender plants in the ground or in outdoor containers that