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For trees and shrubs that are grown for their flowers, you must consider when they bloom before you decide when to prune them.
[Video](1/25/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains what it means when you see these and whether they’re good or bad for your trees.
[Video](1/18/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can plant a tree in your own yard.
(01/15/21) National Seed Swap Day is Jan. 30. Join the gardeners who are carrying on the time-honored, cost-effective tradition of saving and exchanging seeds.
(01/08/21) You may have noticed gray coloring on the trunks of some trees and shrubs. No need for concern. Most likely, these harmless organisms.
(01/01/21) This time of year is a great time to get outside and get things done in the garden.
[Video](1/4/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to treat scale, helping your magnolias thrive.
[Video](12/28/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains where to place these beautiful plants into your landscape.
(12/25/20) Crape myrtles are one of the most controversial and often-discussed ornamental plants. How did it become such a hot topic?
(12/18/20)The thought of Japanese maples brings an air of tranquility and visual thoughts of an Oriental garden.
[Video](12/27/20) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains that one of this year’s cool weather sources of color might surprise you.
[Video](12/20/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests gardening gifts to complete your list.
(12/11/20) Here are some pointers to keep your live holiday plants looking beautiful for the remainder of the season.
[Video](12/14/20) Ornamental grasses are easy-care plants that can provide a nice screen in your landscape.
[Video](12/7/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to select a healthy Christmas tree and then how to care for it.
(12/04/20) As we wrap up the year, we have many things to do to prepare for winter and spring.
(11/27/20) And many types of beautiful plant materials are available to work with this time of year to spruce up and decorate your home for the season.
[Video](11/30/20) AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how windmill palms are being killed by a disease called lethal bronzing.
(11/20/20) Mid- to late November is the best time for buying daffodil, snowdrop, tulip, narcissus, hyacinth and crocus bulbs to allow them enough chilling.
(11/13/20) If you enjoy a tropical look to your landscape, palm trees can provide it.
(11/06/20) Ornamental grasses are commonly used plants in many home and commercial landscapes.
[Video](11/16/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to care for your hydrangeas now so they can look their best next spring.
[Video](11/9/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some things you can do to repair small trees and shrubs damaged by destructive winds.
(10/30/20) Surprise! There was a hurricane, and these lilies might be telling you about the weather.
[Video](11/2/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to harvest and store caladium bulbs.
[Video](10/26/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests some plants you can use to paint your yard with the warm shades of fall.
(10/23/20) Second to sod webworms, common lespedeza is winning the lawn headache contest right now.
(10/16/20) There’s a great deal of work to be done after a storm.
[Video](10/12/20) LSU AgCenter turf specialist Ron Strahan explains what you can do to fight one of the most prolific weeds of all—nutsedge.
[Video](10/19/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains on this edition of Get It Growing, you can grow olive trees right here in Louisiana.
(10/09/20) Insects, including bees, butterflies, caterpillars and moths, are in full force this fall.
(01/02/20) One thing you should be harvesting this time of year is your caladium bulbs for planting again next year.
[Video](10/5/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests some great pink plants that can also help you make a statement.
[Video](9/28/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to know if your lawn is being damaged by sod webworms and what to do to stop them
(09/25/20) There are so many things we can do in the garden this time of year. Fall is a great time to work in the landscape.
(09/18/20) LSU AgCenter offices across the state are getting call after call as lawn after lawn is experiencing devastating loss of turfgrass.
[Video](9/21/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains the signs of this insect’s damage and some things you can do about it.
[Video](9/14/20) On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard talks about the latest Super Plant edition
(09/11/20) Why not honor breast cancer patients and survivors by going pink in your flower beds and getting a head start this month?
(09/04/20) This year we celebrate by adding two true native woody plants: American beautyberry and our state tree, bald cypress.
[Video](9/7/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some other reasons why the candlestick plant, or cassia, is a great choice for you.
[Video](8/31/20) On this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard talks about how to get rid of Virginia buttonweed.
(08/28/20) During the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, many people had more time on their hands.
(08/21/20) Your trees may still have green figs that just won’t seem to ripen, and that can be for many reasons.
[Video](8/24/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to gather seeds so you can grow more wonderful herbs.
[Video](8/17/20) It’s called bark scale, and on this edition of Get it Growing, horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains what you can do to get rid of it.
(08/14/20) Crape myrtle bark scale is an introduced insect pest from Asia, and it has great affinity for crape myrtle trees. The problem often goes unnoticed.
(08/07/20) It’s August in Louisiana, and we don’t recommend doing much in the garden or, shall we say, not much in this heat.
(07/31/20) Thanks to plants and the sun, we as humans can eat, breathe and live. Ultimately, our survival depends on them.
[Video](8/3/20) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains on this edition of Get It Growing, it’s a good time to plan your fall landscape
[Video] (8/10/20) Here are some steps she recommends to minimize impacts of fig leaf rust.
(07/24/20) Summertime is the best time to just sit back and enjoy your garden. And while you’re at it, you can start thinking about fall gardening.
[Video](7/27/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard points out some nutrient sources you can serve your plants.
[Video] (7/20/20) Recently, the days have been scorchers — both for us and our plants. July is smart irrigation month.
(07/17/20) Does your lantana have yellowed leaves or brown spots? Is it pale and sickly looking with no flowers? The likely culprit is lace bugs.
(07/10/20) As a homeowner, you can make water-wise landscaping decisions.
[Video](7/13/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains there are some ways you can stop these destructive insects.
[Video](7/6/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some of the simple materials you’ll need to get your pumpkins growing.
(07/03/20) July can be a tough month in Louisiana due to heat, high humidity, and increased disease and insect pressure.
(06/26/20) Growing plants in containers can be very convenient. For one thing, it makes your plants portable.
[Video](6/29/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can extract seeds from your vegetables to plant your next crops.
[Video](7/6/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard demonstrates how to easily propagate plants from cuttings.
[Video](6/25/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why this elegant, tall-stemmed plant is a good choice for your landscape.
(06/19/20) During this time when folks are still cautiously quarantining, you can create a tranquil oasis of your own.
[Video](6/15/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard introduces you to some beautiful plants that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.
(06/12/20) June 22 through 28 is National Pollinator Week, and the focus is “Pollinators, Plants, People, Planet,” according to www.pollinator.org.
[Video](6/8/20) AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains other reasons why this exciting plant is now a member of the Louisiana Super Plant program
[Video](5/31/20) Heather Kirk-Ballard describes how you can plant a variety of textured plants together to strengthen the aesthetic impact of your landscape.
(06/05/20) I’ve been getting a great deal of questions about tomatoes lately. ‘Tis the season.
(05/29/20) Growing vegetables from your own seeds is probably one of the most fulfilling achievements of vegetable gardening.
(05/22/20) The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season will begin on June 1 and now is the time to prepare your yard, gardens and landscapes for bad weather.
(05/15/20) Chaste tree, also known as vitex, is simple in ease of care but is far from being plain.
[Video] (5/11/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to properly pollinate your plants.
[Video] (5/11/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you an economical way to fill in those unsightly holes.
(05/08/20) You can create a gorgeous arrangement for your home or someone special with just a few items.
(05/01/20) Blackberries are shiny, black fruit bursting with sweet juice.
(04/24/20) Fire ants can be a formidable foe in the garden and landscape. They come with a one-two punch for sure.
[Video](5/4/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how kids, crafts and gardens can become a fun learning experience for everyone.
[Video](4/27/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how the name comes from its distinctively colorful foliage.
(04/17/20) Gardening and the tasks involved with gardening can be a great way to get your family outside and engaged in some great crafts.
[Video] (4/20/20) LSU AgCenter Turfgrass specialist Ron Strahan explains differences in fertilizing St. Augustine and centipede grass.
[Video](4/13/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist KiKi Fontenot explains which vegetables are the right ones to grow during this spring season.
(04/10/20) During this unprecedented time of the coronavirus, an exceptional increase in the number of first-time gardeners can be seen across Louisiana.
(04/03/20) If you want to add a splash of spicy color and unique foliage to your yard this spring, look no further.
(03/27/20) Gardening activities are an excellent source of physical exercise, and vegetable gardens can supply nutritious food.
(03/20/20) Two species of fringe trees are most often seen in the landscape throughout the U.S.: the American fringe tree and Chinese fringe tree.
[Video](3/23/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard takes a closer look at the beloved live oak tree.
