(Audio 10/04/10) October weather generally is mild in Louisiana. Freezing temperatures are rare, but now still is a good time to prepare tender tropical plants for a move indoors. Move them to a shady area to get them ready for low-light conditions inside your home. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/11/10) Be cautious when pruning this time of the year. Many plants should not be pruned in fall. Fall- and spring-flowering shrubs have set their flower buds, and any pruning will remove blooms. Other plants need time to harden off before winter and shouldn't be pruned. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 10/29/10) Radishes are popular in cultures around the world. The flavor can be sharp and fresh or slightly sweet and mild, and they’re typically eaten raw. This is a great time to plant radishes in your garden, and no vegetables are easier to grow.
(Audio 10/11/10) The growing season for most of the plants we have in our Louisiana landscapes begins to wind down in October. This is not the time to fertilize plants that are preparing for the colder weather. But you can fertilize plants that are in active growth like vegetables or bedding plants you planted this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/11/10) October through March is the prime planting season for hardy trees and shrubs in Louisiana. An outstanding flowering shrub to plant is the ShiShi Gashira camellia. It's a Louisiana Super Plant and will grow wonderfully in our landscapes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/04/10) A new program sponsored by the LSU AgCenter is kicking off this fall. The Louisiana Super Plants program promotes outstanding plants for Louisiana landscapes. Hear more about what plants are considered Super Plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
What’s a tough, beautiful plant that grows well in Louisiana landscapes? It's a “super” plant. The Louisiana Super Plant program, funded by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and administered by the LSU AgCenter, promotes select plants proven to grow extremely well in all parts of the state. (Runtime: 1:35)
(Audio 10/25/10) Foxgloves are spectacular spring-blooming plants. The best way to grow foxgloves is to plant them during the fall or winter. The Camelot foxglove is a Louisiana Super Plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/25/10) Brown patch, also known as large patch, is one of the most common lawn diseases in Louisiana. St. Augustine grass is susceptible to the disease, which starts with small brown areas that spread rapidly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/18/10) Many gardeners winterize their lawns this time of the year. This process basically involves adding potassium to the lawn. But winterizing your lawn is optional. Louisiana winters aren't so cold or lawns so deficient in potassium to make winterizing necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/04/10) Many of the perennials Louisiana gardeners use in their flower gardens bloom in early to midsummer. October is a good time to tidy up these plants to keep your flower beds attractive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/11/10) Scales are insects that don't look like bugs. They look more like bumps on a plant. Scales suck the sap out of plants and can weaken or kill plants. Horticultural oil can control them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 10/22/10) When Louisiana gardeners hear the word “camellia,” they think of the large-flowered, evergreen shrubs that bloom from December to April. This is Camellia japonica, the most prominent of the camellia species in Louisiana gardens.
(Audio 10/18/10) Azaleas are not prone to many problems, but the azalea lace bugs can affect the plants. These insects feed on the backs of azalea leaves, which results in discoloration. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/25/10) Hydrangeas are deciduous, meaning they drop their leaves during the winter. It is common to see leaves with brown edges and spots on them. Just remember not to cut the plants back, because they have already set their flower buds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/18/10) Chrysanthemums are a staple of fall decor. You can use them in containers or plant them in your flower beds. Chrysanthemums are perennials and will grow year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 10/04/10) Chrysanthemums are popular fall plants, and you can find them at nurseries now. But is one mum as good as another? On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the types of mums and best care practices for these reliable producers of fall color. (Runtime: 1:40)
(Audio 10/18/10) Warm-season herbs like basil are winding down, but plenty of herbs also can thrive in cooler weather. Herbs such as dill, lavender and parsley should be readily available at nurseries this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 10/15/10) Fall is a prime planting season in Louisiana. Cool-season bedding plants may be planted from now through early December, and November through February is the best time to plant hardy shrubs, ground covers and perennials. How well you prepare the soil prior to planting has an enormous effect on the health and growth of your plants.
(Audio 10/04/10) The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana's green industry are promoting the Super Plant, Amazon dianthus. This cool-season bedding plant comes in three wonderful colors and blooms heavily from fall into spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 10/18/10) The Louisiana Super Plant program promotes select plants proven to grow extremely well in all parts of the state. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a beautiful, multicolored “super” plant that attracts butterflies from far and wide. It’s called Amazon dianthus. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 10/08/10) The Amazon dianthus series is a Louisiana Super Plants selection for fall 2010. This outstanding cool-season bedding plant comes in three outstanding varieties, Amazon Neon Purple, Amazon Neon Cherry and Amazon Rose Magic.
(Audio 10/11/10) Louisiana flower gardens have two seasons -- the warm season and the cool season. We are transitioning into the cool season, and gardeners can plant a wide variety of bedding plants this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/25/10) Leaves will begin falling from our deciduous trees soon. Instead of raking them up and bagging them, consider creating mulch or compost with them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 10/01/10) This month the LSU AgCenter presents its new plant promotion program called Louisiana Super Plants. The Louisiana Super Plants program is an educational and marketing campaign that highlights tough and beautiful plants that perform well in Louisiana landscapes.
(Audio 10/04/10) The best time to plant strawberries in Louisiana is from October to early November. Strawberries are hardy, and our winter temperatures generally don't bother them. Strawberry plants can be hard to come by, however, so check nurseries and feed and seed stores -- or try ordering them over the Internet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/25/10) Deadheading is an odd term, but it simply means to remove faded flowers from a plant. Cutting off old roses helps keep beds attractive while also encouraging new growth on the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 10/18/10) Spring-flowering bulbs add so much to our spring gardens. If you want them, you can't wait until spring to plant them. You must plant them during the fall. Two exceptions are tulips and hyacinths. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 10/25/10) Fall is a great time to plant fruit trees throughout Louisiana. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill discusses the importance of choosing the right fruit trees for your area – and providing them with the proper care. (Runtime: 1:35)