(Audio 01/01/07) January usually is the coldest month in Louisiana. Despite the cold, vegetable gardens remain productive during this month. Some root crops and leafy greens can be planted this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 12/25/06) An outstanding plant that is native to the southeastern United States is Fothergilla. Its common name is witchalder, and it’s related to the witch hazels. It produces beautiful fall foliage and nice spikes of fuzzy white flowers in the spring. (Runtime: 1 minute, 24 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) Late December through early January is the best time to plant hyacinth and tulip bulbs that have been chilling in refrigerators. Chilling them first helps them bloom properly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) After a hard freeze you can tell which plants in your landscape are hardy and which ones are tender tropicals. When cold damage occurs on herbaceous tropicals, it is obvious. You can prune that damage off shortly after the freeze. But wait until spring growth occurs to prune woody tropicals . (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) The depths of winter is a good time to plant roses. Many nurseries have rose bushes available. If the weather stays mild, roses can continue to bloom into January. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) Deciduous trees have leaves that change colors and then fall, but this time of the year some evergreen plants also may go through a color change. Azaleas and junipers are two evergreen plants on which the foliage often changes colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) Perennial herbs can grow during the winter in Louisiana. Gardeners can harvest the herbs whenever there is enough growth on the plant. They may grow slowly during the winter, but they will start growing vigorously come spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/22/06) In Louisiana, 2006 likely will be remembered as the year after the hurricanes. But a relatively ordinary year was a welcome relief to many, including farmers. While the hurricanes in 2005 took a toll on many agricultural producers, production this year was good for most commodities, according to LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry.

(Distributed 12/22/06) If you are looking for ways to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season, volunteering together can be beneficial to your family as well as someone in need, says LSU AgCenter family resource management expert Dr. Karen Overstreet. But the holidays aren’t the only time you can take part in such activities, Overstreet points out, saying community groups also need volunteers and donations all year long to perform worthwhile services in your area.

(Distributed 12/21/06) Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long, stresses LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Reames points out that millions of Americans turn to the latest fad diets to lose weight every year, but she stresses living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than dieting – and that food is essential to life.