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(Audio 05/28/07) A number of trees and shrubs we use in Louisiana landscapes tend to develop suckers at the base. Suckers are sprouts that come up on trees such as wax myrtles, crape myrtles and river birches. Pruning and treatment is important in controlling these suckers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/27/08) If you will be building or doing any sort of construction on land with existing trees, plan carefully to preserve the trees, if possible. Consulting with an arborist can determine which trees are healthy and how they can be protected. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/28/07) Irish potatoes are planted into the home garden around February in Louisiana. By the time we reach late May or early June, the potatoes usually are ready for harvest. And blooms may show up around harvest time. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/28/07) Most trees and shrubs in Louisiana should be planted during our cooler season, but palms should be planted during the heat of summer. The roots of palms only grow in warm soil. Just make sure the palms you plant are hardy for your area. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/28/07) Vines are wonderful additions to our landscapes. They are beautiful climbing on a trellis or over an arbor. Annual vines are the ones that die at the end of their season, so if you are hesitant to use vines because you think they might get too wild, an annual vine will solve that problem. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/21/07) The most popular small flowering tree in Louisiana landscapes is the crape myrtle. Its long blooming season and its ability to grow under most Louisiana soil conditions make it a prized tree. Crape myrtles come in a variety of colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/21/07) Decorative ponds and aquatic gardens are popular in many home and commercial landscapes. One of the more common problems for these ponds is green water. Algae blooms can cause green water this time of the year. But submerged plants can help clear this up. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/21/07) Cooked greens are a traditional part of Louisiana's cuisine, but it is difficult to get these vegetables to grow during the summer. There are some nontraditional greens cooks and gardeners can try this time of year, however. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/21/07) Summer-flowering bulbs grow and bloom between April and September. Many are native to tropical and subtropical areas, and they thrive in Louisiana's climate. These summer-flowering bulbs can vary in size, height and color – and in the amount of shade and moisture they can tolerate. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/14/07) Black spot is the most destructive disease on roses in Louisiana. Cultivars of roses that are highly susceptible to black spot are difficult to grow here. You can control black spot by spraying your roses regularly – even before you see signs of the disease occurring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/14/07) Spanish moss does not hurt a tree it is growing in. You can see the moss turn green when it rains, because the rain is what provides nutrients for the moss. Since Spanish moss isn't drawing anything from the tree, if you like the way it looks in a tree, let it grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/14/07) Many of us have childhood memories of harvesting blackberries on roadsides. You also can grow blackberries in your home garden. Prune them after harvest, which comes this month, but prune only the canes that bore fruit this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/14/07) Now is a great time to evaluate flower beds. If you planted cool-season bedding plants, you probably are noticing those are starting to fade. Replace them with warm-season bedding plants to have color this summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/14/07) Many gardeners do a lot of planting in late winter and early spring. As we move into the heat of summer, it is important to water these new plants, because they do not have well-established root systems yet. In this segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill focuses on watering newly planted trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/07/07) Early May is a good time to do your final assessment for weed control in your lawn. The reason for doing it now is that the herbicides we use to control weeds in our lawns cannot be used once the daytime highs stay above 85 degrees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/07/07) Hydrangeas and gardenias bloom in May and are great shrubs for Louisiana. A unique aspect of both plants is that they set their flower buds in late summer. If you need to prune the shrubs, do so right after they finish flowering. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/07/07) Properly caring for a new lawn will give it a good start. New sod will need to be watered frequently since it has not established a good root system yet. Mow the lawn when needed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/07/07) Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable grown in the home vegetable garden, but they do have their share of disease problems. This time of the year buckeye rot could attack the lower cluster of fruit on a tomato plant. Mulch can help prevent that problem. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 05/07/07) Sod is turf grass that is grown in a field and then harvested by cutting thin strips. Using sod is the best way to establish a new lawn. It creates an instant lawn without the worry of birds eating the seeds or rain washing the seeds away. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/30/07) Houseplants brighten our decor and help to freshen the air, but they prefer to be outdoors. If you plan to move houseplants outdoors for the summer, make the transition to higher light conditions gradual. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/30/07) Freshly grown herbs are perfect for seasoning home-cooked meals. Herbs are not difficult to grow either. Many of the herbs we love to grow are more productive in the spring and early summer, so harvest your herbs generously this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/30/07) Gardeners can plant many vegetables into their gardens this time of the year. But they need to start focusing on heat-tolerant vegetables such as eggplant, peppers and okra. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/30/07) Caladiums are great plants that provide summer color in shady areas, and you can plant caladium tubers this time of the year. An added bonus to these plants is that they are very heat-tolerant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/30/07) The color of the pepper depends on the stage at which it is harvested. Some traditionally are harvested green, like green bell peppers and jalapeno peppers. But we generally wait to harvest cayenne peppers and red bell peppers when they turn red. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/23/07) It's time to move container plants that were inside during the winter back outside. But you need to make the move to higher light conditions gradual. Move these plants to a shady location outside first before introducing them to more sunlight. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/23/07) Spring-flowering bulbs beautify Louisiana landscapes, but you need to take care of these plants after they finish blooming. It is important not to remove the foliage until it begins turning yellow. This will help to ensure your bulbs will bloom again next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/23/07) Cool-season bedding plants are in full bloom this time of the year. Keep a close eye on these plants because they will start to languish as the weather warms. When they began fading, pull them out and replace them with warm-season plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/23/07) The warmer weather is encouraging container plants to grow vigorously. These plants need more fertilization than plants grown in the ground, because the frequent watering they need leeches nutrients out of their soil. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/23/07) Most of the fungus diseases that attack plants in our landscapes like rainy weather. One common disease that actually prefers drier conditions is powdery mildew. Symptoms appear like a fine white powder over the foliage of the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/16/07) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of summer bedding plants that tolerate the heat and provide lots of color for us during the warm season. This is a great time to start planting them if you want to add something new to your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/16/07) Caladiums are easy to grow and reliable in shady areas. There are some varieties that can tolerate sun, but most caladiums prefer shady locations. You can plant caladium tubers this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/16/07) Warmer weather means it's time for lawn chores. We have to mow more often, spend more time watching for weeds and just generally put more work into our yards. This is a good time to make sure your mower is in good condition and the blades are sharp. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/16/07) Permanent lawn grasses grow best during the warm season. This is the prime planting time for warm-season grasses. With the exception of common Bermuda, solid sodding is the best way to plant a lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/16/07) Louisiana has its share of pest problems as the weather warms up. If you notice you are having a weed, insect or disease problem in your lawn or garden, it is important to correctly identify the culprit and to get the right recommendation to try to eliminate it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/09/07) In Louisiana we generally apply the first fertilizer to our lawns in early April. It is important to allow the lawn to green up and establish a good root system before applying fertilizer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/09/07) A variety of the herbs we grow in our herb gardens grow better during the cool season. It is best to harvest herbs generously in April, May and early June. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/09/07) Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable grown in the home garden. When you go to the nursery to buy tomato transplants, choose those that are dark green and stocky. The better quality transplants you start with the better the plants are going to do. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/09/07) Tomato plants tend to sprawl on the ground when they are not supported. If the fruit is left touching the ground, it can rot. Stake your tomato plants to keep them growing tall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/09/07) Perennials are wonderful herbaceous plants that are grown for their beautiful flowers or attractive foliage. These plants brighten the landscape and live for many years, giving them an advantage over annuals that have to be replaced every year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/02/07) April is a transitional time in the flower garden. Cool-season bedding plants are at their peak right now, but it really is too late to plant them. Instead, it's better to start planting warm-season bedding plants that will bloom for you throughout the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/02/07) April is a busy month for the home vegetable gardeners. Some of the most popular vegetables we grow can be planted at this time. Remember, earlier planted vegetables escape problems with insects and diseases (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/02/07) Now is a good time to evaluate spring-flowering shrubs and decide if they need to be pruned. It is best to prune them soon after they flower, and always prune with a specific purpose in mind, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/02/07) Dry, warm weather in the spring encourages the development of spider mites. They can damage a variety of vegetables and ornamentals in our landscapes. If you see damage, you can inspect under the leaves of the plants for signs of infestation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 04/02/07) Leading up to the Easter holidays there are plenty of Easter lilies for sale, but after Easter many people dispose of them. Easter lilies actually can be planted into the landscape and will bloom for you in the spring year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/26/07) In gardening the term deadheading refers to removing faded flowers from a plant. This practice has many benefits, including keeping plants looking attractive and encouraging some to bloom longer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/26/07) Although nurseries in the state generally begin carrying tropical plants in March, it is better to wait until April or May to incorporate these plants into your landscape. Late freezes can occur, and it takes a while for the soil to warm up to the temperatures these plants need to thrive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/26/07) When you are getting ready to purchase a home, inspections can ensure costly repairs will not be required after you take ownership of the property. In many instances when you use a home inspector, the condition of the trees and the landscape is not given the same consideration. Hiring a licensed arborist to inspect trees can save money for you as the potential homeowner. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/26/07) Mirliton is a vegetable that is popular in southern Louisiana, but it also can be grown in the northern part of the state. Look for the sprouted fruit at your local garden center and plant them into a well-prepared bed. It grows as a vine, so give it something to climb on. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/19/07) In spring we do a lot of planting, and good bed preparation is an important part of the process. The basic steps include removing unwanted vegetation, tilling and adding soil amendments. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/19/07) Brown patch is a fungal disease that attacks lawn grasses. Since it favors mild and wet weather, the growing conditions we have now are ideal for brown patch. It will show up as the grass starts to green up and grow, but you can control it with a lawn fungicide. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/19/07) Cool-season weeds may be prevalent in your lawn now. Fortunately, these weeds are not very destructive to the grass and many will die off when the weather warms. To control future generations of the weeds, it is best to mow them back to prevent them from flowering and setting seeds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/19/07) Finish transplanting and dividing perennials this month. If transplanted now most perennials will do well, but if you wait until the weather is warmer, your plants may suffer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/19/07) Mulches decay and get thinner over the winter, which means weeds usually become a nuisance in your planting beds this time of year. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill reminds us that mulch is our best defense against weeds. He also says there is no need to remove old mulch when putting in new mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/12/07) Vegetable transplants purchased in nurseries have been grown in greenhouses and have led a sheltered life. Planting them right into the garden can be traumatic for them, so you need to harden them off before they go into your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/12/07) Herbaceous perennials live in our landscapes from year to year. These plants are nonwoody and can brighten our landscapes. Many nurseries carry perennials such as salvia and butterfly weed.
(Audio 03/12/07) A lot of the vegetables we eat actually are the fruit or the seeds of these particular plants. Examples include tomatoes, snap beans, corn and squash. In order for these to produce, they need proper pollination. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/12/07) If you look around now you are likely to see beds of pansies, petunias and snapdragons. These bedding plants were planted last fall or early winter. If you want color, at this point, it is best to wait and plant warm-season bedding plants next month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/12/07) Cool-season weeds likely are growing in your lawn and flower beds this time of year. As the weather gets warmer those weeds begin to flower and set seeds. The seeds will create more problems next year, so if you can control the weeds before they flower, you can decrease the problems you'll have with these same weeds next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/05/07) Buck moth caterpillars are black, spiny, stinging caterpillars that are found on oaks. The eggs were laid in December and generally hatch in March. If you think you may have serious problems, you can have your trees commercially sprayed this month to control the infestations. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/05/07) Warmer weather means spring will be settling in across Louisiana. March can be an active month in the vegetable garden, but watch for late-season freezes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(03/05/07) Spring-flowering bulbs usually begin blooming in March. Take note of when the bulbs bloom and how the plants perform. This will help you make decisions for next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/05/07) March is an excellent time to fertilize shrubs in your landscape, but that doesn't mean you have to do it. If your shrubs are green and healthy, fertilizing isn't necessary. On the other hand, if you are trying to encourage growth, fertilizing now would be ideal. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/05/07) By March most of our roses should be growing vigorously, and this is a great time to fertilize them. You can use an all-purpose or a slow-release fertilizer. Also, now is a good time to spray for black spot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 3/20/06) Home inspections can ensure that costly repairs are not required after you take possession of the property. Trees usually are not included in such inspections, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests hiring a licensed arborist before making an offer on a home. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/20/06) Potted, blooming Easter lilies are always available around Easter time. Save these lilies and plant them into your landscape. They will go dormant in the summer and bloom for you year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 3/20/06) Louisiana gardeners are able to grow a wide variety of fruit trees in home landscapes. One thing you need to keep in mind is that fruit trees are prone to insect and disease problems. These trees must be on a preventve spray schedule. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 3/20/06) Corn is one of the most wonderful vegetables you can grow in your home vegetable garden. Corn takes up a lot of room, however, so you will need space to grow this plant. Plant corn in a square to get good pollination. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/13/06) Proper bed preparation before planting is an important part of your success in the garden. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says good bed preparation makes a difference in the perfomance of what you plant, whether it is vegetables, shrubs or flowers. Remove weeds and till soil to get started. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/13/06) St. Augustine grass has been a very popular lawn grass. Unfortunately, it is quite susceptible to the disease brown patch. Brown patch primarily is active in the fall, but it also shows up this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/13/06) During the month of March, Louisiana lawns wake up and begin to turn green. Dormant lawns may be alive with winter weeds this time of the year. Mow back these weeds or apply a lawn weed killer. This will prevent the cool-season weeds from setting seeds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audtio 03/13/06) Transplanting and dividing perennials should be done as soon as possible. As the weather warms, the chance of transplant shock increases. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to divide and transplant perennials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/13/06) Mulch is a material gardeners spread over the soil surface to supress weed growth and conserve soil moisture. A common question LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill gets about mulch is whether a gardener should remove old mulch before putting down new mulch? His short answer is no. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/06/06) March is a great month to fertilize your shrubbery. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says a good all-purpose granular fertilizer can be used to fertilize virtually all the shrubs in your landscape. If your plants are performing well, fertilizing is an option. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/06/06) Gardeners use a variety of interesting terms. One of these terms is "hardening off." That term is applied to growing transplants. What it means is that transplants often are raised in the sheltered environment of a greenhouse and they must be toughened before being planted into a garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/06/06) Consumers actually eat the fruit of some popular vegetables. In botany, the fruit means the structure that encompasses the seed. Some of these vegetables include tomatoes, corn, squash and lima beans. To be successful with them, you must plant so proper pollination can take place. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/06/06) This is a nice time to think about planting summer bedding plants. If you have cool-season plants still blooming, leave them be. If you have bare beds, consider planting warm-season plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/06/06) Perennials are wonderful plants that can live for many years in our landscapes. Many nurseries are carrying perennials now. They can make an immediate impact on your flower garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/27/06) Cool-season weeds are growing in lawns this time of the year. Even though they will die off when the weather warms in April and May, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends controlling them now so they won't bedevil your lawn next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/27/06) Roses should be growing well this month and could even set flowerbuds later in the month. Apply a fertilizer to get them to grow vigoursly and produce beautiful flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/27/06) Many of our spring-flowering bulbs put on their best show during March. This is a great time to walk around your garden and make notes. You can use your notes when planning your garden next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/27/06) March is a busy month in the home vegetable garden. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says gardeners in North Louisiana should wait a while before planting, but he also says earlier planting means fewer problems with insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/27/06) The buck moth caterpillar is a problem in all parts of Louisiana. The moth emerges in December and lays eggs in oak trees. Homeowners can have their trees sprayed to reduce the chance of an infestation of this stinging caterpillar. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/20/06) Organic matter can be any number of materials derived from plants or animals. It makes soil richer and more fertile. In this segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains more about organic matter. (Runtime 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/20/06) Planting corn in February may sound a bit early, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says that's OK because early planted corn is less susceptible to insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/20/06) Fire Blight is a damaging bacterial disease that hits members of the rose family. You also see it on fruit trees and ornamentals. Since you cannot control this disease once you see it., LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends preventive sprays.(Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/20/06) Some of the spring-flowering bulbs already have bloomed, but some that are stil blooming are susceptible to late-winter freezes. Protect blooming flowers from harsh temperatures. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/13/06) Decorative ponds and aquatic gardens are popular in Louisiana landscapes. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says this is a great time of year to clean out a pond and get it fresh for spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/13/06) February is a great month to clip ground covers before the new growth appears. Old, brown leaves often appear in liriope and monkey grass. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says to cut this back now to keep your ground covers attractive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/13/06) It's not unusual to decide you want to move a plant from one location to another. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says February is the time to do that, and he advises to get up most of the roots and replant it at the same depth it was growing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/6/06) Hydrangeas are remarkable shrubs. They produce large heads of colorful flowers that can be manipulated. Now is the time to add lime or aluminum sulfate to change the color. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 2/6/06) Late winter and early spring are great times to add roses to your landscape. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends using bare-root roses if you are looking for an inexpensive option. Plant them into well-prepared beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
