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Greetings Producers and Friends of the LSU AgCenter!
Welcome to the Horticulture Connection Newsletter. Your editor here is Michael LaVergne, ANR Agent for Horticulture and Agronomy covering parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Evangeline, and Vernon.
I would love to place interested Clients on my email list to receive this newsletter as well as Horticulture Hints and other horticulture related topic materials in a timely manner through direct email. If you would like to receive regular Horticulture Connection and other related Horticulture emails, please email me your name and email address to mlavergne@agcenter.lsu.edu to be placed on our email list.
My goal is to provide you with information about upcoming events and opportunities in the area and across the state, such as field days, meetings, classes, and any other events that would be of interest. I will also plan to provide you with the latest news and information on the issues affecting you, whether it be drought or other weather-related conditions, garden and landscape production and maintenance, soil sample interpretations, fertilization, and management, marketing your crop and more.
Planting new trees and shrubs is one of the best ways to add beauty, shade, and long‑term value to your landscape. LSU AgCenter guidelines emphasize understanding Louisiana’s humid subtropical climate—warm temperatures, abundant rainfall, and diverse soil types—to ensure successful establishment. Knowing your soil type (clay, sandy, or silty) helps you amend and prepare the planting area for healthy root growth.
LSU AgCenter recommends planting hardy trees and shrubs during the cool season from November through March, with mid‑November through mid‑December considered ideal. Dormant plants experience less transplant shock, while mild winter weather and regular rainfall encourage root growth throughout winter whenever soil stays above 50°F. Fall‑planted trees enter spring with established roots, improving their ability to handle summer heat.
Additional guidance notes that December through February also provides excellent conditions for early root development before spring leaf‑out.
Newly planted trees and shrubs require consistent moisture as roots establish. LSU AgCenter recommends monitoring for dry spells, especially during fall when rainfall may decrease. Newly planted trees or shrubs from the past year may still need irrigation during dry periods. A rain gauge helps track weekly rainfall, and watering becomes necessary anytime a week passes without meaningful rain.
General watering principles include: water in early morning (4–7 a.m.) to reduce evaporation, adjust frequency with seasonal changes, and ensure even coverage. Avoid watering during midday heat.
To make planting easier and watering more effective, consider the following tools commonly recommended in horticultural guidance:
With the right timing, proper watering, and a few reliable tools, your new plantings will thrive and provide lasting benefits to your landscape.
Lawn burweed (Soliva sessilis)—commonly called “sticker weed”—is a winter annual that germinates in October and thrives in thin turfgrass areas. By spring, its sharp burs make walking barefoot a painful experience. Here’s how to prevent and control this pesky weed using LSU AgCenter recommendations.
Burweed has bright green, finely divided leaves and a low, spreading growth habit. Burs form in late winter or early spring in the leaf axils. The first defense is a healthy lawn:
Hand-pulling small patches can help, but larger infestations often require herbicides.
Timing is critical:
Follow-up spot treatments may be needed 10–14 days later. Once burs appear (usually April), control becomes much harder.
A sticker-free lawn starts with fall and winter care. Combine cultural practices with timely herbicide applications for best results. For detailed rates and turf-specific advice, contact your local LSU AgCenter Extension Office.
As winter fades and Louisiana warms up, it’s time to prepare your yard for a season of lush growth. The LSU AgCenter provides practical steps to ensure your lawn, garden beds, and landscape thrive this spring.
Healthy soil is the foundation of success. Begin with a soil test to check pH and nutrient levels:
Refer to LSU AgCenter’s Vegetable Planting Guide for crop-specific dates.
For detailed planting dates, fertilizer rates, and turf-specific advice, visit LSU AgCenter or contact your local Extension Office.
Spring in Louisiana is the ideal time to rejuvenate your garden and landscape. Proper preparation ensures healthy plants, vibrant blooms, and productive vegetable beds. The LSU AgCenter offers detailed guidance for soil care, planting strategies, and maintenance practices to help your garden thrive.
A thriving spring yard begins underground. Start with a soil test to identify pH and nutrient status for both lawns and planting beds; testing guides precise lime and fertilizer decisions and prevents waste. If lime is needed to raise pH, apply it several months before planting so it can react in the soil. Incorporate organic matter—compost, leaf mulch, or aged manure—to improve tilth, drainage, and microbial activity, which strengthens roots and buffers plants against Louisiana’s warm-season stress. In heavier soils or areas with poor drainage, shaping raised rows/beds improves aeration, warms soil faster, and accelerates spring growth. Apply fertilizers in bands or wide drills 4–6 inches deep for vegetables rather than broadcasting and follow LSU AgCenter recommendations rather than defaulting to “one-size-fits-all” blends.
Begin by clearing winter weeds and debris—pull by hand or use labeled herbicides where appropriate. Loosen compacted soil, add preplant fertilizer (per crop needs), and blend in compost to replenish organic matter removed by last season’s heat. LSU AgCenter horticulturists recommend working beds until soil is loose, then mulching with 2–3 inches of organic material to conserve moisture and suppress new weed germination. For flower and vegetable beds, consider mushroom compost or composted manure and use a slow-release fertilizer before planting so nutrients are available as roots expand. Raised bed mixes for vegetables often contain pine bark, sand, and organic matter for optimal drainage and structure.
Planting timelines: Use the Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide (Pub. 1980) to align crops with local frost dates and soil warmth. In March, direct-sow cool-tolerant crops (snap beans, beets, radish, collards) and, in south Louisiana, transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant mid-month once frost risk is past. In April, direct-seed butter beans, okra, southern peas and set transplants of warm-season vegetables as soils truly warm; by May, most spring vegetables can be planted statewide. Mulch after planting with 2–3 inches of leaves (live oak leaves work well) or other organic materials to reduce evaporation and weed pressure.
Warm-season lawns (St. Augustinegrass, centipedegrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass) wake up as temperatures rise. Delay nitrogen fertilization until soils consistently reach the upper 60s°F at a 2-inch depth; fertilizing too early fuels winter weeds and disease. Apply about 1 lb N/1,000 sq ft for most grasses (half that for centipede/zoysia) and choose turf-blend fertilizers with higher N and lower P to avoid phosphorus buildup, especially in centipedegrass. Mow with sharp blades at species-appropriate heights (e.g., St. Augustine 2½–3½″; centipede 1–2″), and water only as needed to prevent shallow roots and disease.
Weed strategy: Tackle newly germinated warm-season weeds now with labeled post-emergence herbicides, and remove mature cool-season weeds (e.g., chickweed, annual bluegrass) by mowing or hand-pulling—they will fade as heat rises. LSU AgCenter specialists recommend separating fertilizer and herbicide applications rather than using weed-and-feed products. Identify your grass and weeds first, measure lawn area to calculate product amounts, and read labels to ensure turf safety.
When broadleaf weeds persist, a three-way herbicide (2,4-D + dicamba + mecoprop) can be effective from January through spring; research also supports atrazine tank-mixed with the three-way plus a spreader-sticker where labeled. Cease application when temperatures exceed ~85°F to avoid turf injury. Organic alternatives with iron HEDTA (FeHEDTA) can suppress many broadleaf weeds without damaging turf when used according to label directions.
Mulch is a high-impact, low-effort practice. Organic mulches—leaves, pine straw, ground bark—recycle yard waste, suppress weeds by blocking light, reduce irrigation needs, and add organic matter as they decompose. Apply at ~2 inches thick in beds; too-thin layers fail to block light, while overly thick layers around trees (“mulch volcanoes”) trap moisture against bark and can cause rot. Inorganic mulches (landscape fabric, plastics, stone) have roles in utilitarian settings; cover unattractive fabrics with organic mulch for aesthetics. Refresh mulch once or twice a year as it breaks down.
Shrubs & Trees: Inspect for winter damage and prune dead or crossing branches. Maintain mulch off the trunk flare, check irrigation emitters for uniformity, and monitor for early pest/disease signs to prevent spread. These cultural practices reduce reliance on pesticides and keep plants resilient through summer.
Water deeply and infrequently, focusing on early morning to reduce leaf wetness and disease pressure. Overwatering encourages shallow roots and fungal problems in turf. Use a broadcast spreader for uniform granular applications and a labeled sprayer for liquids; measure the lawn and bed areas so you purchase and apply the correct amount. Always read labels—they specify compatible grasses, target weeds, rates, and temperature limits.
For planting calendars, fertilizer rates, weed ID, and turf species guidance, explore the LSU AgCenter resources and your local Extension Office. The AgCenter’s turfgrass pages provide lawn-specific rates and weed control options, while Pub. 1980 Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide and Get It Growing features cover vegetable and ornamental timelines, bed prep, and mulching techniques. With good planning, timely action, and LSU-backed practices, your spring yard and garden will flourish—from healthy soil and beds to a dense, weed-managed lawn—setting you up for a productive, beautiful growing season.
For more indoor and outdoor plant care advice, visit lsuagcenter.com—your trusted source for Louisiana gardening success, all year long.
Website: www.lsuagcenter.com/beauregard
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