(Video 12/26/11) Potted plants need the right kind of soil to help them grow to their full potential. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to choose the right potting soil for your needs. (Runtime: 1:52)
(Video 12/19/11) What do you need to be doing for roses during the winter? On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what to do and what not to do when caring for your roses. (Runtime: 1:38)
(Video 12/12/11) With colors ranging from dazzling red to creamy white, the poinsettia is maybe the most popular of all Christmas plants. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to best care for your poinsettias throughout the holiday season. (Runtime: 1:33)
(Video 12/5/11) Just because a Christmas tree looks good, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to find a fresh tree and how to properly maintain it so it lasts longer. (Runtime: 1:50)
(Audio 12/12/11) Hard freezes can occur regularly in December. Tropical plants can be damaged if not protected during freezes. Covers, mulch and lights provide warmth for plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 12/12/11) With colors ranging from dazzling red to creamy white, the poinsettia is maybe the most popular of all Christmas plants. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to best care for your poinsettias throughout the holiday season. (Runtime: 1:33)
(Audio 12/19/11) Many of the gardening products such as water-based herbicides and insecticides can freeze if left outdoors during winter. Make sure you store them where this won't be an issue. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/26/11) Gardeners may still have roses blooming during late December. Taking care of them this time of the year does not require a lot of effort. While they continue to bloom, deadhead them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 12/23/11) I recently received a copy of a book called “The Garden in Winter.” Imagining what I would see inside, I opened the book, and the pictures were just what I had expected.
(Audio 12/26/11) Most gardeners use tropical plants in their landscapes, so it typical to see freeze damage occur on them. It takes a few days for damage to appear, so wait to prune them. Woody tropical plants shouldn't be pruned until new growth appears in the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/12/11) Gardeners watch for freezes during the winter in an effort to protect tender plants. When wondering whether to take a plant indoors or cover it, look at the actual temperature, not the wind chill temperature. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/05/11) Louisiana gardeners can still grow vegetables in December. Plant cold-hardy vegetables such as beets, cabbage and carrots. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 12/16/11) The pace of things tends to slow down a bit this time of year in the garden. Although we may continue to plant, prepare beds, harvest winter vegetables and enjoy cool-season flowers, most gardeners find this a more relaxed time of year.
(Audio 12/05/11) Garden equipment such as lawn mowers may not be used much over the winter. Be sure to store this equipment properly. Also have items repaired during the off season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 12/30/11) Pruning is one gardening job that often neglected because gardeners are not exactly sure what to do. There is a great deal of confusion about how to prune, when to do it and even why pruning is done.
(Audio 12/05/11) Selecting a fresh, healthy Christmas tree and taking proper care of it will help it last throughout the holiday season. Christmas tree farms allow customers to cut down fresh trees. At a tree lot, look for healthy needles. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/26/11) Knowledgeable gardeners refrigerated tulip and hyacinth bulbs back in fall. Now through early January is the time to plant those bulbs. You can force the hyacinth bulbs indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 12/26/11) Potted plants need the right kind of soil to help them grow to their full potential. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to choose the right potting soil for your needs. (Runtime: 1:52)
(Video 12/19/11) What do you need to be doing for roses during the winter? On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what to do and what not to do when caring for your roses. (Runtime: 1:38)
(Audio 12/05/11) Gardeners can add cool-season bedding plants to their winter flower gardens. Plants such as pansies, snapdragons and dianthus enjoy cool days and colder nights. Try the 2011 fall Super Plant Swan columbine. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/26/11) If you used poinsettias, Christmas cactus or a living Christmas tree to decorate with during the holiday season, you may be wondering what to do with them. Some can be saved, others should be tossed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/26/11) Bunching onions and shallots were planted in late summer or early fall. These plants may be getting big enough to harvest now. Hear more to learn how. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/19/11) Apple is not a common fruit tree in Louisiana, but there are varieties that can be grown successfully in the state. Winter is a great time to plant apple and other hardy fruit trees in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 12/02/11) As cold winter weather begins to settle in over the state this month, we can expect freezing temperatures in the 20s and even occasionally the teens for the next few months. With cold weather comes concern for tropical plants in our landscapes.
(Audio 12/12/11) Louisiana gardeners are lucky to be able to grow camellias. These plants bloom during the winter when not much else does. Check for tea scale, and water them if we get a dry spell. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/1/2/11) Gardeners move many plants indoors for the winter. Taking care of these plants requires thought and effort. Remember, they need light and water. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/19/11) In Louisiana, we still have weeds in the winter. The means gardeners will have to weed their flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. Weed killers can be used on lawn weeds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 12/5/11) Just because a Christmas tree looks good, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to find a fresh tree and how to properly maintain it so it lasts longer. (Runtime: 1:50)
(Audio 12/05/11) We use a wide variety of plants to embellish our homes during the holidays. Pick healthy plants so they will last throughout the season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/12/11) Fall color isn't as common in Louisiana as in other parts of the country. Gardeners may be alarmed to see the leaves on evergreens change colors. This may be a reaction to cold weather, and not cause for concern. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/19/11) Gardening catalogues arrive in the winter. They are full of beautiful photographs and great descriptions that can be tempting. Just make sure the plants or seeds you order are suitable for your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 12/09/11) Paperwhite and amaryllis are two bulbs that are popular for forcing in Louisiana during the winter. Forcing bulbs means growing them to bloom earlier than they would under normal landscape conditions. Paperwhite bulbs and amaryllis bulbs are commonly available from November to late December. Forcing them for bloom during the winter is not difficult, and the results are beautiful.
(Audio 12/19/11) Deciduous shade trees provide great shade in the summer while allowing the sun to shine through in winter. They do leave us with a blanket of leaves on our yard. Don't throw these leaves out, but rather use them as mulch or compost. (Runtime: 60 seconds)