News Release Distributed 08/21/09

The LSU AgCenter is helping gardeners and others learn about and enjoy gardening in Louisiana with next year’s edition of its popular “Get It Growing” calendar.

The recently published 2010 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar offers monthly gardening tips for the seasoned or novice gardener, as well as beautiful photos of plants, flowers and gardens that were taken by a variety of photographers whose roots stretch across the state.

Monthly gardening tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill, who is known across the region for his expertise on Louisiana gardening, alert gardeners when it is time to fertilize their lawns, tell them when to prune roses and provide much more helpful information about gardening projects.

“The Get It Growing calendar, published annually since 2005, was developed in response to the demand and popularity of the LSU AgCenter’s lawn and garden information,” explains Elma Sue McCallum of LSU AgCenter Communications, who serves as the calendar’s coordinator. “The LSU AgCenter provides research-based information on useful topics of interest to Louisiana citizens, and gardening seems to be a favorite.

“The calendar is a great resource for gardeners and a beautiful source for anyone who enjoys photos of attractive garden scenes,” she said.

Photographs for each year’s calendar are chosen through a call for entries competition that is announced each fall.

“Last year we received more than 1,300 photos from about a hundred different photographers,” McCallum said, adding, “Making selections for the calendar is always difficult because there is a great deal of talent out there and a tremendous love for gardening.”

Those photographers whose works were selected for the 2010 calendar include Glenda Balliviero, Lafayette; Norman Balliviero, Lafayette; Cynthia Brown, Lafayette; Rick Cain, Baton Rouge; Karen Chargois, Duson; Kristen Cook, Alexandria; Bobby Font, Walker; Rosalie Gassen, Luling; Dave Hanchey, Baton Rouge; Patricia Harper, Youngsville; Daniel Hart, Lecompte; Donna Lugo, Munford, Tenn.; Elizabeth Muellor, Lake Charles; Allen Owings, Hammond; Tom Pope, Baton Rouge; Alana Roussel, Baton Rouge; Connie Shepherd, Natchitoches; Powell Smith, Lake Charles; Paige Vanderlick, Cheneyville; and Lynn Ward, Gretna.

The full-color, 32-page, 9-inch-by-13.25-inch calendar features a special section on hibiscus, a variety of gardening tips for each month of the year and a special how-to section on taking a cutting – all compiled by Gill. Along with monthly photo features of seasonal flowers, vegetables and plants, it also includes a helpful list of LSU AgCenter lawn and garden publications and other useful information.

The 2010 calendar still sells for $11.95 and is available for online orders at www.lsuagcenter.com/GetItGrowingCalendar – where sample photos and more information about the calendar also are available. Phone orders can be placed by calling 225-578-4161.

The calendar, which is designed as part of the LSU AgCenter’s popular Get It Growing educational campaign on home lawns and gardens, also is expected to be available through a variety of bookstores, garden centers and gift shops across the state this fall.

Proceeds from calendar sales help to support horticultural research and educational efforts of the LSU AgCenter, as well as scholarships for horticulture students.

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Contact: Elma Sue McCallum at 225-578-2462 or emccallum@agcenter.lsu.edu
Writer: Tom Merrill at 225-578-2263 or tmerrill@agcenter.lsu.edu