(09/14/20) Louisiana 4-H members and LSU AgCenter agents have been offering hope, help and supplies to communities recovering from Hurricane Laura.
If your family has a plan for what you’d do in case of a hurricane or other disaster, now is the time to pull it out and review it. If you don’t, there’s still time to write your plan, LSU AgCenter disaster preparedness specialist Pat Skinner says.
(Radio News 11/03/08) Hunting is a favorite pastime in Louisiana, and it can be enjoyed safely if hunters follow a few guidelines. LSU AgCenter hunting safety expert Dr. Don Reed has some safety tips. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/10/08) The number of obese children ages 6 to 11 has tripled over the past decade. The LSU AgCenter’s Smart Bodies program offers a fun and interactive way to keep youngsters healthy. Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden said the program fits into his healthy-living initiatives. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/17/08) The turkey is the star on Thanksgiving tables. Most people buy their birds frozen, so to get it ready for the big day, it must be thawed properly. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames provides those details and more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/17/08) Small insects can invade our pantries -- particularly this time of the year when many people buy and store extra items such as cake mixes, flour and other foods for holiday parties. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says to be careful of what you buy. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/03/08) A warm October is leading to prolonged insect problems. Florida wax scale is one insect still around on many evergreen plants, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/03/08) If you haven’t done it yet, now is the time to treat your yard for fire ants. Growth regulators are the best way to eliminate fire ants from your yard for the long term, says LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/03/08) If you haven’t done it yet, now is the time to treat your yard for fire ants. Growth regulators are the best way to eliminate fire ants from your yard for the long term, says LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/10/08) Students around the state are taking an unusual journey without leaving their schools. The youngsters are traveling through the human body by going through a gymnasium-sized exhibit called the Body Walk, according to LSU AgCenter nutrition educator Denise Holston. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 11/10/08) The number of obese children age six to 11 has tripled over the past decade. An LSU AgCenter program is using a fun and interactive program to keep those numbers down. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Radio News 11/10/08) Louisiana 4-H’s centennial year is coming to a close, but clubs across the state are still celebrating. The State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport was dedicated to 4-H. Julie Barrios, a 4-H executive committee member, was there. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/17/08) No matter if you brine or baste, roast or fry, LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety expert Dr. Beth Reames says the one important point when cooking a turkey is to use a meat thermometer to make sure it is cooked thoroughly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/03/08) Yellow jackets can be a nuisance to tailgaters, picnickers and hunters. These aggressive insects tend to be a bigger problem in the fall, says LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/19/08) East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H is sponsoring Bike Quest – a bike rally for all youth. LSU AgCenter 4-H agent Beverly Bailey says the event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 29 at Nelson Memorial on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/10/08) At its inception 100 years ago Louisiana 4-H centered on farming and cooking. Today it is hard to put a label on this popular youth organization. LSU AgCenter 4-H regional coordinator Karen Martin says youngsters can take the diverse programs the club offers and tailor them to fit their interests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/24/08) No one variety dominates Louisiana's sugarcane landscape. For a long time the state's growers planted the majority of their acreage in the variety called LCP 85-384, but now growers are turning to newer varieties and planting a mix of different ones, says LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/10/08) Students from across Northwest Louisiana got a taste of the 100 years of Louisiana 4-H at the State Fair of Louisiana’s 4-H Express. Tour guides such as 4-H’er Julie Barrios took students back through the decades to learn about the origins of this popular youth organization. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/03/08) Head lice outbreaks can occur in schools and become a nuisance to families. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says some schools are dealing with lice problems. He recommends things to do to avoid a lice infestation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/24/08) Hurricanes Gustav and Ike disrupted Louisiana's sugarcane planting season. Planting typically wraps up in mid-October, but some farmers were still planting in early November. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says it was a more expensive planting season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/17/08) The turkey usually is the healthiest part of most Thanksgiving meals. According to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, even a fried turkey can be a healthy option. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/17/08) Diabetes is a serious problem in Louisiana -- although in many cases it can be prevented or delayed. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says complications from the disease can lead to heart disease, kidney disease and amputations. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 11/24/08) Some sugarcane growers burn their cane to reduce the amount of leafy material that gets harvested and delivered with the cane to the mills. Burning helps reduce the costs of harvest, but LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says it is becoming less common because of problems that can occur.
(Audio 11/10/080) During the winter our warm-season grasses go dormant making your lawn brown. If this bothers you, then one option is to overseed your permanent lawn with ryegrass. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/03/08) Local nurseries have plenty of chrysanthemums in a wide variety of colors. Planting these perennials is a great way to add color to landscapes this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/17/08) The best time to plant fruit and nut trees is from November until February. Most of these trees need full sun and plenty of room to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 11/10/08) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill visited the massive Windmill Nursery in Franklinton, La. Windmill is a wholesale plant supplier to the entire southeastern United States. In this edition of Get It Growing, Windmill’s general manager recommends some quality plants for the fall growing season. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Audio 11/10/08) Just about everyone enjoys a fresh salad, but the best lettuce is freshly harvested from your own vegetable garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 11/24/08) If you’re looking for a small tree that has beautiful color, you might be pleased with the Japanese maple. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horiculturist Dan Gill explains why Japanese maples grow well in Louisiana and how fall is the right time to plant them. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Audio 11/03/08) Louisiana's mild winter allows us to grow a wide variety of delicious vegetables in our home vegetable gardens. Vegetable gardeners who typically plant only in spring and summer should try growing winter vegetables, as well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/17/08) Summer-flowering bulbs grow and bloom during the summer months. Often these plants go dormant during this time of year and become unattractive, so it's the time to trim their foliage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/10/08) Most of the perennial plants that we use in our landscapes bloom in the summer. Many of these perennials are winding down right now. This is a good time to cut back any unattractive growth or flowers from them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/24/08) A wide variety of herbs are hardy and can be planted this time of year. There are even some herbs that really grow well in Louisiana during the cool season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/10/08) November is an outstanding month to plant spring-flowering bulbs in your landscape. These bulbs grow over the winter very slowly and then grow rapidly and bloom in the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/24/08) To many people, falling leaves are a nuisance. These leaves, however, can be useful if we recycle them into compost or mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 11/17/08) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recently visited Bracy’s Nursery in Amite, La. Bracy’s is a wholesale plant supplier to the entire southeastern United States. In this edition of Get It Growing, Dan talks with employees at Bracy’s about how they produce quality plants in large volume. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Audio 11/17/08) Broccoli is a great cool-season vegetable for your garden. It's a little late to plant broccoli now, but if you planted it earlier, you may be wondering when you should harvest this vegetable. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/24/08) Many of us like to use container plants outside during the summer. But when the weather turns cold, these plants need to be brought indoors. Just remember that you may need to let them adjust to lower light conditions before making the move. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/17/08) Cool weather has arrived, and now is the perfect time to add cool-season bedding plants to the flower beds in your landscape. These plants will continue to bloom for you into spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 11/03/08) Cooler weather means adding cool-season bedding plants to your flower beds. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how some fall vegetables can help you beautify your yard, while serving as a functional source of food. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Audio 11/24/08) Fall is the best time to plant hardy trees and shrubs in your landscapes. If you plant them now, the heat of summer won't threaten the young tress. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/03/08) From November and peaking into early December is when the deciduous trees in our landscape begin to drop all of their leaves. These fallen leaves can provide many good things for our landscapes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/17/08) You will begin to notice amarylis bulbs in nurseries and garden centers around this time of year. The process that growers use to ship amarylis makes them grow and bloom during winter, so you must plant them in a container the first year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/03/08) Savvy Louisiana gardeners know that we can get a second tomato crop out of our tomato plants. As the weather cools, the plant production slows down, and gardeners must watch out for freezes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/24/08) When considering how to fertilize plants this time of year, the best option really is not to fertilize at all. Just about everything in your landscape is going dormant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 11/03/08) Louisiana gardeners can use a wide variety of evergreen trees and shrubs in their landscape because of the mild winters we experience. These plants keep our landscapes looking attractive all through the winter. Gardeners should not be concerned about the leaves of an evergreen plant turning yellow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Distributed 05/30/08) Packing a box you can “grab and go” in case you need to evacuate could save you from financial disasters and hardships, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. “You may not be able to prevent hurricanes and storms that interrupt your routine or destroy your home, but you can make plans to keep them from disrupting everything,” Tucker says.
Everyone will be able to cope better if you talk to your children early about hurricanes and get them involved in your plans and preparations, says LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Discussing what hurricanes are, the dangers they pose and the safety measures to take against them can help to alleviate some of the fear and anxiety children and adults feel when a storm is approaching.
(Distributed 05/27/08) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says your lawn and landscape should be one area you pay close attention to while deciding whether you’re prepared if a storm comes your way this summer. “June marks the beginning of hurricane season, and it’s important to understand powerful hurricanes can affect the entire state – not just the southern portions,” Gill says.
(Distributed 05/22/08) LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel says not to forget the relatively easy steps you can take to protect your home from hurricane damage. “Although changes like structural reinforcements, installing hurricane shutters or replacing windows with impact-resistant glass require more time, money and planning, there are some things you can do at a lower cost and with less effort,” Reichel advises.
(Distributed 05/15/08) As hurricane season approaches, it’s a good time to take a few simple steps to protect your home and family in case a storm strikes, according to LSU AgCenter disaster preparedness specialist Pat Skinner.
(Distributed 05/19/08) Neglecting to make basic preparations could be a decision you heartily regret if a major storm or hurricane comes your way. That’s a message LSU AgCenter experts are stressing as this year’s hurricane season approaches.
(Distributed 05/09/08) With hurricane season approaching, it’s a good time to ask yourself a few questions to determine if you’re appropriately prepared. Even if you’ve been through a hurricane before, it’s easy to forget some of the preparations that can protect your property and family, experts with the LSU AgCenter stress.
(Distributed 05/16/08) The start of this year’s hurricane season is rapidly approaching, and LSU AgCenter experts say stocking up on supplies now makes sense – whether you think a storm may come your way or not.
(Distributed 05/22/08) Wind is the most common and most costly cause of damage to homes and other “light frame structures” in the United States. The 75-mile-per-hour-plus winds experienced in hurricanes put tremendous pressure on the roof, walls and foundation, and windblown debris can significantly increase the damage. But LSU AgCenter disaster recovery and mitigation specialist Pat Skinner says there are steps you can take to protect your home in the long run.
(Distributed 03/25/08) BOSSIER CITY – A soil analysis is the first thing to consider when planting fruit trees, said Dr. Charles Graham, research horticulturist, at the monthly Lunch and Ag Discovery talk at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station March 18.
(Radio News 09/30/08) Many cattle in coastal areas were left stranded by flood waters from Hurricane Ike. LSU AgCenter agents are organizing a feed distribution effort for producers that have no feed for their cattle, LSU AgCenter Vermilion Parish agent Andrew Granger said.
(Radio News 09/29/08) Many cattle in Louisiana's coastal areas were left stranded by floodwaters from Hurricane Ike. LSU AgCenter agents, such as Vermilion Parish agent Andrew Granger, are organizing a feed distribution effort for producers that have no feed for the cattle. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 09/12/08) Most crops in the state suffered damage from Hurricane Gustav, but some commodities were hardest hit by the storm. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says the state’s cotton crop, which is near harvest, suffered wind and rain damage, and the storm drowned many sweet potato fields. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 9/30/08) Hurricane Ike tipped the losses in the Louisiana sweet potato crop to 50 percent. Farmer Ken Thornhill in Franklin Parish has started harvesting his fields, but he said he is seeing some encouraging results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 09/12/08) Hurricane Gustav tore through Louisiana -- uprooting trees, pulling down power lines and damaging homes and structures. Louisiana’s agricultural industries did not escape the storm’s wrath either. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 9/30/08) Hurricane Ike’s slow-moving storm surge crept into areas of Vermilion Parish that had already seen devastating floods three years earlier from Hurricane Rita. Crop land damaged by salt water in 2005 was just returning to normal production. LSU AgCenter county agent Stuart Gauthier says many sugarcane fields that went under water could feel the effects for several years. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 09/29/08) Hurricane Gustav dumped 18 inches of rain on Ken Thornhill’s sweet potato fields. Hurricane Ike didn’t hit his fields in Franklin Parish as hard, but growers across the state are reeling from the two storms. According to early estimates, the state will lose 50 percent of its crop. The excessive water is causing the potatoes to rot in the field, says LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Dr. Tara Smith. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 09/30/08) Many cattle producers and their herds in Southwest Louisiana were affected by Hurricane Ike. LSU AgCenter agent Andrew Granger of Vermilion Parish is working with the cattle relief effort. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/15/08) Container plants offer many benefits. They can embellish an area where plants won't grow, and they are easily movable. One of the drawbacks of growing plants in containers is that the root system eventually will outgrow the container. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/29/08) Gardeners often purchase the seeds they need to grow flowers or vegetables from seed racks at a local nursery. They may also mail-order seeds. And there are occasions when it's possible to save seeds from plants in your garden and use them for new plantings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/08/08) Mulches are materials spread over soil in our landscape beds and gardens. One of a mulch's most important benefits is weed control. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/08/08) Lousiana gardeners can do a lot of planting in new beds from September on into November. This includes cool-season vegetables and bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/29/08) October is when we really begin to focus on cool-season plantings in our vegetable garden. You may still have some fall peppers and tomatoes in your garden, but for the purposes of planting you should really focus on the cool-season vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/15/08) Everybody loves a fresh and juicy tree-ripened peach. A peach tree is a popular item to grow in home landscapes. You can plant one in your landscape, but, before you do, be aware that peach trees can have insect and disease problems. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 09/15/08) Fallen and leaning trees serve as reminders of Hurricane Gustav’s destructive power. But should all of these trunks end up in garbage piles? In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how small trees that have bent or toppled might still be saved. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Audio 09/08/08) September ushers in a changing of the seasons to some degree. Remember that most flowering trees and shrubs have already set their buds. Anything that blooms from October to May should not be pruned now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/08/08) If we have a hot and dry September, there is a good chance chinch bugs will be prevalent in our lawns. A possible sign you have chinch bugs is an area of dead grass that starts small and rapidly begins to enlarge. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 09/29/08) As temperatures begin to transition and the weather goes from being warmer to cooler, it’s a tricky time to decide what’s best to plant in your flower gardens. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the pros and cons of planting cool- and warm-season bedding plants this time of year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Audio 09/29/08) Louisiana gardeners use transplants to establish many vegetables and bedding plants. Transplants normally are young plants grown from seeds in a container and then added to your garden. It is very important that you get these transplants off to a good start. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/15/08) Caladiums are one of the most reliable summer bedding plants for adding color to shady areas in our landscapes. In September, caladiums become dormant, and we must decide whether to remove them from the landscape for storing or allow them to remain in the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/08/08) September weather in Louisiana is not typically fall-like, but the shorter days tell our plants it is time to slow down and prepare for winter. This means you should be careful when choosing what to fertilize. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 09/08/08) If you haven’t started your fall vegetable garden yet, now is a good time to plant it. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides you with tips on getting your fall cucumbers planted. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(Audio 09/22/08) The Louisiana iris is one of the most beautiful perennial flowering plants you can plant in your garden. Since these plants are native to Louisiana, it's easy to see why they do so well here. They go dormant in the summer. This means if you have been looking to transplant your iris, now is the time to do so. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 09/22/08) September and October are transitional months in Louisiana. We begin to cycle out of summer's intense heat as we see cooler weather move in. We also may notice much drier weather, which means you will find yourself watering your garden more frequently. (Runtime: 60 seconds)