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(Video 1/31/11) You may have bare spots in your landscape and don’t know what to grow there. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests considering different types of ground covers. (Runtime 1:42)
(Video 1/3/11) After the Christmas holidays are over, you may wonder what to do with the various seasonal plants you’ve used to decorate your home. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers advice on which plants you should keep and which ones to throw out. (Runtime: 1:43)
(Video 1/10/11) Although evergreen holly plants have been part of Christmas holiday celebrations for centuries, you actually can enjoy them throughout the year. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends a few holly plants you can put into your landscapes now. (Runtime: 1:43)
News Release Distributed 01/26/11February is American Heart Month, and women throughout America will again wear red on the first Friday in February to raise awareness of heart disease. National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, and is part of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” campaign that seeks to empower women to take charge of their heart health and live longer, stronger lives, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both women and men,” Reames says. Women and men respond differently to a heart attack, Reames adds. Women are less likely than men to believe they're having a heart attack and more likely to delay in seeking emergency treatment. In addition, women tend to be about 10 years older than men when they have a heart attack. They also are more likely to have other conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Reames offers these suggestions to keep your heart healthy: – Eat a variety of nutritious foods, including grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, beans and milk. “Although you may be eating plenty of food, your body may not be getting the nutrients it needs to be healthy,” Reames says. “Make smart choices by choosing nutrient-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products and fat-free or low-fat dairy products, that have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. – Eat vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber, and they’re low in calories. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help you control weight and blood pressure, too. – Choose whole grains. Unrefined, whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower blood cholesterol and help you feel full, which may help you manage your weight. – Eat fish at least twice a week. Recent research shows that eating oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids (for example, salmon, trout and herring) may help lower your risk of death from coronary artery disease. – Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated fat or trans fat. – Select fat-free, 1 percent fat and low-fat dairy products. – Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet. Trans fats raise bad blood cholesterol levels. – Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. – Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars. – Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. – Maintain a healthy weight. “The number of calories you need each day is based on your age, physical activity level and whether you're trying to gain, lose or maintain your weight,” Reames says. “Limit foods and beverages high in calories but low in nutrients. Read food labels carefully – the Nutrition Facts panel will tell you how much of those nutrients each food or beverage contains – and keep an eye on portion sizes.” – Aim for at least two and one-half hours a week (30 minutes a day) of moderate physical activity. Walking briskly, water aerobics, ballroom dancing and general gardening are examples of moderate-intensity aerobic activities. “Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and help you reach physical and cardiovascular fitness,” Reames says. “If you can’t do at least 30 minutes at one time, you can add up 10-minute sessions throughout the day.” – If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation – one drink per day if you’re a woman and two drinks per day if you’re a man.
News Release Distributed 01/21/11By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen OwingsLandscape shrubs roses like the popular Knock Out varieties are all the rage in the rose world right now, but we have a number of other great landscape shrub roses that can be considered. The LSU AgCenter evaluates roses at the Hammond Research Station in Hammond and at Burden Center in Baton Rouge. We also have rose plantings at Louisiana House in Baton Rouge. Some of the recent All-America Rose Selection (AARS) winners are good performers for us in Louisiana. While most roses now sold fall into the landscape shrub category, we have some nice floribunda roses available that have been released in the last five to 10 years that merit increased use. 2010 saw only one AARS winner – Easy Does It. This variety is a floribunda from Weeks Roses. The flower color is a mango, peach and apricot blend. Petal count is 25-30. Easy Does It performed very well in the AARS display garden at Burden Center in 2009. In addition, it was named a People’s Choice award winner at the LSU AgCenter’s landscape horticulture field day held at the Hammond Research Station in 2009. A new floribunda for 2011 and an AARS winner for this year is Walking on Sunshine. Tight clusters of bright yellow buds burst open with an anise aroma. This plant’s super-glossy, disease-resistant foliage contrasts beautifully with the cheery, eye-catching flowers. Walking on Sunshine is easy to care for and great for beginners. It’s a floribunda with fantastic bloom production and great vigor. Walking on Sunshine was hybridized by Keith Zary of Jackson and Perkins Wholesale. In addition to the two floribunda roses that are AARS plants for 2010 and 2011, some of the other newer, good floribunda roses are Cinco de Mayo, Julia Child, Easy Going, Hot Cocoa, Livin’ Easy and Moondance. Cinco de Mayo has lavender flowers with a hint of rusty red-orange. Plants are maintained at a height of 3 feet. Uniqueness of bloom color is what sets Cinco de Mayo apart from other roses. The variety has some blackspot susceptibility when over-irrigated or when rainfall exceeds normal amounts. Julia Child has obtained good popularity the past few years. It’s another floribunda rose that’s very accepted by nursery professionals. The plant has a medium-size growth habit. Flowers are buttery gold, have 35 petals and are fragrant. Julia Child is a former AARS winner and performs well in Louisiana. Easy Going was introduced in 1996 and is sold at garden centers in Louisiana. In the past, it has done well in the AARS display garden at Burden Center in Baton Rouge. It has a yellow bloom with a little bit of golden bronze. Flowers sit tightly on top of the foliage. A chocolate-orange-to-dark red-flowering floribunda is Hot Cocoa. It is an AARS winner from 2003. Flowers have a deep rusty orange reverse. Good bloom size is also characteristic of this rose variety. Livin’ Easy is an older floribunda rose. It was released as an AARS winner in 1996 and has ruffled, apricot-orange flowers with 22-28 petals. The flowers have a fruity fragrance. Moondance is a Jackson and Perkins floribunda rose of the year. It has sweet, raspberry-scented, creamy white flowers. It has received good “roses in review” ratings from Gulf District members of the American Rose Society. A taller-growing rose, this variety reaches 5 feet tall in the landscape. It is a much more beautiful rose than its parent, the popular, white floribunda Iceberg. Some floribunda roses generally are lower-maintenance plants when compared with hybrid tea and grandiflora roses. They may take a little more care than landscape shrub roses, however. They also can be grown under low irrigation and need less pruning and fertilization. Typically, shrub and floribunda roses also have reduced susceptibility to blackspot disease. Roses need good bed preparation, full sun and a soil pH of 6.5. Give some of these a try. Visit LaHouse in Baton Rouge to see sustainable landscape practices in action. The home and landscape resource center is near the intersection of Burbank Drive and Nicholson Drive (Louisiana Highway 30) in Baton Rouge, across the street from the LSU baseball stadium. For more information, go to www.lsuagcenter.com/lahouse and www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn.
News Release Distributed 01/14/11By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen OwingsLouisiana Arbor Day is the third Friday in January. But many home gardeners and landscape professionals plant shade trees during the fall and winter months. People are learning that this is the proper time of the year to plant, but improper planting practices sometimes present issues regarding the long-term landscape success of these trees. We need to be aware of some of the common mistakes made in planting, establishment and follow-up care of trees. Many times poor tree performance in our residential landscapes can be traced to improper planting techniques. Here are a few common things to consider when adding new trees to your landscape: – Select a good-quality tree. You would think this would be obvious, but some trees offered for sale aren’t good quality. Make sure the species and variety is recommended for Louisiana. Is the plant overgrown in the container? Inspect the trunk of the young tree for any bark damage. – Select the right tree for the right place. Be sure the tree you’re considering will work in the environment where it is being planted. Consider mature height and mature spread and allow enough room for the tree to develop to its full mature size without regular pruning. Make sure the characteristics of the site – such as soil pH, soil drainage and sun and shade exposure – fit the tree. – Don’t plant too deep. The top of the root ball should be at the same level or slightly higher than the soil grade. Do not cover the lower trunk with soil. And be careful with over-mulching. This has the same detrimental effects as planting too deep. We recommend 3-4 inches of mulch spread evenly underneath a tree’s canopy. But don’t plant too shallow. If the top of the root ball is exposed to air, the root system will dry out. – Dig the hole to the proper width. The width of the planting hole should be two to three times wider than the tree’s root ball. This allows for lateral root development and expansion. Remember that tree roots need to grow out from the planting hole. – Inspect for root-bound trees. Cut the encircling roots enough to encourage their outward root growth and prevent future circling. – Avoid modifying backfill soil. Backfill soil is the soil removed from the planting hole. The current recommendation is to return to the planting hole the soil that came from it. Don’t amend this soil with pine bark, compost or similar materials. A change in the soil texture from the planting hole to the surrounding soil will cause water from the surrounding soil to migrate into the planting hole and saturate the root system. This “soup bowl” effect can damage or even kill the tree by holding too much moisture. – Water appropriately after planting. Newly planted trees need to be sufficiently watered-in. This eliminates from the soil air pockets that dry out the root system. Apply water at the edge of the original root ball and outward. Don’t apply water next to the main stems. – Avoid radical pruning at planting. The only pruning that should be done at planting is to remove any dead or broken branches or suckers. Leave some branches on the lower part of the trunk for a year or so – this encourages trunk development. Excessive pruning of shoots at planting can also promote additional shoot growth at a time when root growth is is more important. Visit LaHouse in Baton Rouge to see sustainable landscape practices in action. The home and landscape resource center is near the intersection of Burbank Drive and Nicholson Drive (Louisiana Highway 30) in Baton Rouge, across the street from the LSU baseball stadium. For more information, go to www.lsuagcenter.com/lahouse and www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn.
(Video 1/17/11) Winter is a time when many outdoor plants are converted into indoor plants. Just because they’re indoors, though, doesn’t mean they won’t have insect problems. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how important it is to use the right insecticides to control pests on your houseplants. (Runtime: 1:38)
(Video 1/24/11) Indoor plants, just like outdoor plants, need all the proper nutrients and minerals to grow well. So it’s important to fertilize. But, as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill cautions on this edition of Get It Growing, it’s very important that you fertilize indoor plants correctly. (Runtime: 1:34)
News Release Distributed 01/07/11 By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen Owings Proper pruning is one of the most neglected and misunderstood of all gardening practices, yet it is one of the most important best management practices in a residential or commercial landscape when done properly. Pruning is a skill and an art. It is a skill in making cuts that properly heal or callus over to seal off the wound from disease and infection and an art in making the right cuts in the right places to get the plant to take on a more pleasing form. Pruning should be practiced as a vital part of the maintenance program for all shrubs and trees. Most shrubs will require some pruning annually and may require special attention to correct defects caused by mechanical injury or attack by insects and diseases. Important items to consider prior to pruning include: – Your goal in pruning. – The method that will be used (natural vs. formal). – The ideal time of year to prune this plant. – How flowering or other plant performance may be affected. – How this particular plant responds to pruning. Why prune? Pruning is done to remove dead, diseased, dying or decaying wood. Sometimes we refer to this as the four Ds of pruning. You also can prune to manage plant size and maintain a particular form for design specifications. Pruning, in some situations, can be done to rejuvenate old plants. Pruning flowering shrubs depends on the times they bloom. Prune late-winter- and spring-flowering shrubs after they flower. If spring-flowering shrubs are pruned during winter, you’ll be removing flower buds. Examples in this category include azalea, spirea, mock orange, quince, hydrangea, weigelia, forsythia, gardenia, camellia, viburnum, deutzia and flowering almond. Azaleas that flower in spring need to have pruning completed by late June or early July in order not to affect the flower buds being developed for the next spring. Summer-flowering shrubs are pruned from mid- to late winter, before spring growth. Some plants in this group are crape myrtle, oleander, vitex and althea. Most evergreens not planted for their flowers should be pruned in the dormant, winter season, but some pruning may be done throughout the year. No rules cover all pruning. The important consideration should be preserving the natural form of a particular species. The extent of annual pruning will depend on the plant. Some shrubs may require the removal of a considerable amount of wood each year, while others require little pruning. It is much better to prune lightly each year rather than severely butcher a plant after several years of growth. When pruning, first remove weak and spindly wood inside or near the ground. Next reduce the height of the plant to the desired level by making cuts at various levels, always keeping in mind the natural form of the plant. One rule for cane-type plants like nandina and mahonia is to remove one-third of the oldest and tallest canes near the ground each year. This will keep the height of the plant at a reasonable level. Several special plant types or categories need special treatment for specific training purposes. These include espaliered plants, topiary or “poodled” plants and other landscape oddities. These may need to be pruned on a more regular basis to maintain the intended growth form. Visit LaHouse in Baton Rouge to see sustainable landscape practices in action. The home and landscape resource center is near the intersection of Burbank Drive and Nicholson Drive (Louisiana Highway 30) in Baton Rouge, across the street from the LSU baseball stadium. For more information, go to www.lsuagcenter.com/lahouse and www.lsuagcenter.com/lyn.
(Radio News 01/17/11) Many children receive pets for Christmas and by mid-January the novelty of a new puppy or kitten can start to wear off. LSU AgCenter veterinarian Dr. Christine Navarre says to give the new pet a chance. With a little time, love and training, behavior problems puppies or kittens may have can be solved, and the pet can become a great addition to the family. (Runtime: 1:10)
(Radio News 01/31/11) Nine Louisiana farmers achieved Master Farmer status and another was named outstanding Louisiana Master Farmer at the 65th annual meeting of the Louisiana Conservation Districts. (Runtime: 1:30)
(Radio News 01/03/11) Each New Year, people resolve to live healthier. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames says start 2011 with a plan that will help you make healthful choices. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 01/03/11) A hard freeze in mid-December killed most of what remained of Louisiana’s sugarcane crop. A significant portion had already been harvested by the time the freeze came, however, and farmers and mills were racing to the get the rest of the crop processed before the sugar in the cane plants began to break down. (Runtime: 1:05)
(TV News 01/10/11) A damp and cold spring and hot and dry summer shaped agriculture in 2010. Despite the contrast in weather, Louisiana farmers had a fairly successful year overall. (Runtime: 1:52)
(Audio 01/12/11) The LSU AgCenter has launched an online rice pest identification guide. Rice growers can use it to help determine what insects might be causing damage to their crops. LSU AgCenter entomologist Natalie Hummel explains. (Runtime: 1:20)
(TV News 01/24/11) The fun of caring for a new pet can quickly turn into a dreaded chore. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard talks with a veterinarian about helping pet owners get through the early days of a new pet and making the animal a cherished part of the family. (Runtime: 1:48)
(Radio News 01/24/11) When temperatures dip, pets may need a little extra care. LSU AgCenter veterinarian Dr. Christine Navarre says make sure your pet can stay dry, has bedding and the right size house. (Runtime: 1:10)
(TV News 01/17/11) The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine of citrus material from Louisiana. A recently detected disease prompted the federal order. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the details. (Runtime: 1:32)
(Radio News 01/24/11) Mardi Gras isn’t until March, so Louisiana is in for a long king cake season. You can have your king cake and eat it too as long as you do it moderation, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Heli Roy. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 01/17/11) A citrus disease, found in Louisiana this past summer, has led to a quarantine on citrus fruit and nursery material. Sweet orange scab is caused by a fungus and spread by rain and wind. LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Don Ferrin explains. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 01/03/11) Louisiana farmers have wrapped up the state’s sugarcane harvest. The overall crop was good, according to LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois. Tonnage of cane to the acre was down this year, but sugarcane mills reported excellent yields of sugar per ton. (Runtime: 1:05)
(Radio News 01/17/11) When temperatures dip, pets may need a little extra care. LSU AgCenter veterinarian Dr. Christine Navarre says make sure your pet can stay dry and that it has bedding and the right size house or shelter. (Runtime: 1:05)
(Radio News 01/03/11) What do you do after the holidays with that cluster of poinsettias, the decorated living Christmas tree or the holiday cactus you got as a gift? LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill has the answers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 01/10/11) For more than 100 years, the LSU AgCenter’s Audubon Sugar Institute has helped Louisiana’s sugar industry remain profitable. The institute’s director, Ben Legendre, says it has always been responsive to the needs of the sugar mills. (Runtime 1:05)
(Radio News 01/03/10) Scientists with the LSU AgCenter’s Audubon Sugar Institute are working on ways to producing biofuels from sugarcane and other crops. Researcher Giovanna Aita says sugar mills currently operate only three months out of the year, but biofuel production could keep them open longer.
(Radio News 01/10/11) The LSU AgCenter's Burden Center will host a Trees and Trails Fun Hike from 9 a.m. until noon Jan. 22 -- the day after Louisiana’s Arbor Day. The 5K fun hike will start at the Steele Burden Memorial Orangerie in Burden Center, which is located off Essen Lane at I-10 in Baton Rouge. (Runtime 1:05)
(Radio News 01/03/11) When the holidays are over and the decorations have come down, LSU AgCenter forestry specialist Don Reed says your Christmas tree can still have value.
(Radio News 01/24/11) The LSU AgCenter received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to participate in the National Citrus Clean Plant Network. LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Don Ferrin explains. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 01/10/11) A damp and cold spring and hot and dry summer shaped agriculture in 2010. Despite the contrast in weather, Louisiana farmers had a fairly successful year overall. (Runtime: 1:05)
(Radio News 01/31/11) First- and fourth-graders in northeast Louisiana learned about crops and livestock and health and nutrition at Ag Alley, which was held in conjunction with the 2011 Ag Expo. LSU AgCenter agent Cynthia Stephens explains. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 01/17/11) Strong prices for certain commodities will lead to a shift in crop acreage this year. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry predicts the biggest acreage increases will be in corn and soybeans. (Runtime 1:05)
(Radio News 01/31/11) As we head into February, many people already have abandoned some or all of their New Year’s resolutions. But LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker says it’s not too late to revisit your resolutions about health and finances by cooking at home. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 01/31/11) Grocery bills could be higher in the coming months. Global stocks are tight for some commodities, and energy prices are rising. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports on what this could mean for the price of food items. (Runtime: 1:41)
(Radio News 01/24/11) Scientists at the LSU AgCenter's Southeast Research Station work on issues such as dairy nutrition, fertility, reproduction and genetics. The station also is home to the AgCenter’s forage quality lab. (Runtime: 1:20)
(Radio News 01/24/11) Plants and chemicals around the house can be harmful to pets. LSU AgCenter veterinarian Christine Navarre cautions pet owners should be particularly careful if changing antifreeze in a vehicle this winter. (Runtime: 1:05)
(Radio News 01/31/11) Food prices are up in many countries. High commodity prices and low stocks of staples such as corn and soybeans could contribute to an increase in food prices. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry explains. (Runtime 1:20)
(TV News 01/03/11) Louisiana’s 2010 sugarcane harvest finished early, with some mills closing before Christmas. A hard freeze came early, as well, but farmers persevered, and LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that the crop was a good one. (Runtime: 1:32)
(Radio News 01/31/11) Consumers will likely see an increase in food prices this year, but LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker says having a grocery store strategy can keep the increases from affecting your wallet. (Runtime: 1:10)
(Radio News 01/03/11) Take control of your finances in 2011. An LSU AgCenter family economist has some tips to help. Jeanette Tucker says a financial resolution should start with determining your net worth and developing a working budget. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/03/11) Many people use plants to make their homes more festive during the holidays. Some of these plants should be discarded, but plants such as Christmas cactus or living Christmas trees can be used from year to year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 01/28 /11) It would be hard to dispute that the most popular summer-flowering shrub is the rose. Most roses need at least some annual pruning to maintain an attractive shape, remove dead wood and encourage vigorous growth and blooming.
(Audio 01/10/11) It may seem too early to talk about tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, but now is a good time to start growing transplants of these vegetable garden mainstays. They need a warm, sunny place to thrive and can be planted into the garden in eight to 10 weeks. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/31/11) Plants growing indoors can be prone to pest problems. Spider mites are tiny pests that can thrive on houseplants. Know the symptoms of spider mites and how to control them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/24/11) In Louisiana, gardeners prune everblooming roses in late January or early February. Roses can be pruned to reduce size, improve shape and remove old canes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/31/11) The first signs of spring usually aren't seen until a little later, but vegetable gardeners can still plant cool-season vegetables now. Root crops and leafy vegetables can be planted. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/31/11) Irish potatoes are easy to grow and can be very productive in the home vegetable garden. They need a well-prepared bed and full sun. It's best to use seed potatoes from a nursery or garden center. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 01/21/11) Pruning is a gardening job that is 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 01/31/11) In Louisiana, roses have two flowering periods. To prepare our roses for their early blooming season, prune them back in early February. Keep their height and shape in mind. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/10/11) Gardeners plant spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and hyacinths during January. But these bulbs have to be chilled properly before planting. If you didn't chill them, they won't grow well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 1/31/11) Maybe you have bare spots in your landscape and don’t know what to grow there. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests considering different types of ground covers. (Runtime 1:42)
(Audio 01/17/11) Most of the plants in your landscape are probably dormant, making it a good time to do some pruning. Have a plan when pruning, and only prune if necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 1/3/11) After the Christmas holidays are over, you may wonder what to do with the various seasonal plants you’ve used to decorate your home. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers advice on which plants you should keep and which ones to throw out. (Runtime: 1:43)
(For Release On Or After 01/14/11 ) The third Friday in January is Arbor Day in Louisiana—a day we set aside to appreciate trees and plant them. If you’re thinking about adding some trees to your existing landscape, planting should ideally be done now through early March while weather is cool and plants will have a chance to make root growth before it gets hot.
(Video 1/24/11) Indoor plants, just like outdoor plants, need all the proper nutrients and minerals to grow well. So it’s important to fertilize. But, as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill cautions on this edition of Get It Growing, it’s very important that you fertilize indoor plants correctly. (Runtime: 1:34)
(Audio 01/24/12) Fertilizers are a tool gardeners use to provide nutrients to plants. While plants are dormant, fertilizer isn't necessary. But plants in active growth this time of year, such as cool-season bedding plants, need fertilizer now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 1/17/11) Winter is a time when many outdoor plants are converted into indoor plants. Just because they’re indoors, though, doesn’t mean they won’t have insect problems. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how important it is to use the right insecticides to control pests on your houseplants. (Runtime: 1:38)
(Audio 01/17/11) Gardeners use a wide variety of products in the garden. Many of these have a chemical base and can break down over time. Fertilizer, however, can last a long time if stored in an airtight container. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/03/11) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of cool-season bedding plants. These plants bloom through the winter and spring. Deadhead the plants to encourage additional blooms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 01/07/11) We are fortunate to live in a state where a mild winter climate allows us to grow camellias. The dark green, shiny, evergreen foliage alone is a beautiful addition to our landscapes. Then, during winter, we are rewarded with a fantastic floral display.
(Audio 01/03/11) Louisiana's mild winters allow gardeners to plant hardy trees and shrubs during the cool season. Consider adding roses to your landscape during January or February. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/17/11) Leaves are very valuable. If you still have plenty in your yard, you can convert these fallen leaves into compost. Take care of your compost pile to get good organic matter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/17/11) Winter is the best time to plant hardy trees and shrubs. If you have been thinking of adding a shade tree or a privacy hedge, the planting can be done this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/31/11) By this point in the winter season, most tropical plants have sustained freeze damage. You can prune herbaceous tropicals as soon as the damage occurs. Wait to prune woody tropicals until new spring growth appears. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/03/11) Lawns, which are high maintenance during summer, are relatively carefree during winter. Weeds can still be an issue this month, however. To cope with that problem, a lawn weed killer can be applied on a mild day. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/24/11) January is a great month to plant camellias. Gardeners can see the camellias in bloom now and decide what type they like best. Camellias need morning sun, afternoon shade and well-drained, acidic soil. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/10/11) Parsley is one of the most commonly used herbs in Louisiana cooking. It also can be used to decorate a plate or the garden. Plus, it's hardy and can thrive in the winter garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/24/11) Mealy bugs are small sucking insects that feed on plants. They can be a major problem on houseplants. Look for cottony masses on the undersides of leaves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/03/11) The cold weather of January limits what kind of vegetables we can plant in our gardens, but hardy vegetables such as root crops can withstand Louisiana's winter conditions. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 1/10/11) Although evergreen holly plants have been part of Christmas holiday celebrations for centuries, you actually can enjoy them throughout the year. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends a few holly plants you can put into your landscapes now. (Runtime: 1:43)
(Audio 01/17/11) A popular way to propagate plants is to use a cutting -- a piece of a plant used to make a new plant. Some plants are easily propagated from hardwood cuttings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/10/11) It's wonderful to have plants indoors. They help filter the air and and add a touch of green to our interiors. Light is a limiting factor for plants inside, however, so make sure houseplants receive adequate sunlight. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/10/11) Don't wait to plant transplants of hollyhocks, delphiniums and foxgloves. These plants need to to be in the garden before spring. The camelot foxglove, a Louisiana Super Plant, is a good choice. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Distributed 01/20/11) DELHI, La. – Nearly 100 farmers heard ways to improve the quality and yield potential of cotton, corn and soybeans from LSU AgCenter experts at a northeast Louisiana crop forum Jan. 18.
(Distributed 01/11/11) About 90 Sugar Bowl fans spent the morning of Jan.4 in areas that were 6 to 10 feet under water after Hurricane Katrina. The fans were on a tour conducted by the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant.
(Distributed 01/28/11) OIL CITY, La. – Oil City Environmental Magnet School has been selected to provide the Louisiana forest exchange box in a display recognizing the International Year of Forests in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in March.
(Distributed 01/03/11) The LSU AgCenter will host an interactive timber tax workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at several locations around the state.
(Distributed 01/04/11) The Louisiana Master Farmer Program Recognition and Award Luncheon will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13, at Diamond Jacks in Bossier City from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
(Distributed 01/06/11) The LSU and Southern University AgCenters will hold their monthly Lunch and Learn session Friday, Jan. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. at New Orleans City Hall room 8E12.
(Distributed 01/21/11) The LSU AgCenter recently released a handy pocket-size guide to help with identification and control of pests in and around buildings. Titled “Pest Identification Guide for Pests In and Around Buildings,” the publication was supported with funds from the Southern Integrated Pest Management Center and was prepared by experts from the LSU AgCenter, Texas AgriLife, the University of Arkansas, Auburn University, the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee.
(Distributed 01//27/11) NEW IBERIA, La. – Sugarcane farmers from Iberia, St. Mary and Vermilion parishes heard Tuesday (Jan. 25) from a variety of experts on improving their crop after a harvest with above-average prices.
(Distributed 01/28/11) She rarely cracked a smile during her hour-long presentation, but internationally renowned animal scientist Temple Grandin cracked up the audience many times with her wry observations on the food industry.
(Distributed 01/06/11) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the Tangipahoa Master Gardeners Association have scheduled a spring vegetable garden workshop from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the Hammond Research Station.
(Distributed 01/12/11) With nighttime temperatures falling below 28 degrees, Louisiana strawberry growers expect some damage to the crop and potential loss in production this week, according to industry experts.
(Distributed 01/27/11) The LSU AgCenter has received a five-year extension from the Louisiana Board of Regents to continue with the establishment of the Louisiana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing.
(Distributed 01/18/11) A half-day conference on rural poverty will feature two nationally recognized scholars on Feb. 3 in Baton Rouge.
(Distributed 01/21/11) B. Rogers Leonard, an entomologist with the LSU AgCenter Macon Ridge Research Station in Winnsboro, was among a group of 12 entomologists who received the 2011 Friends of Integrated Pest Management Pulling Together Award.
(Distributed 01/03/11) DELHI, La. – The latest in research to help farmers grow profitable crops will be featured at the 2011 northeast Louisiana crop forum Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Delhi Civic Center.
(Distributed 01/24/11) WEST MONROE, La. – Diversifying efforts needed to protect and maintain economic interests while sustaining forest productivity were the focus of the 2011 Ag Expo Forestry Forum presented by the LSU AgCenter Jan. 15 at the West Monroe Convention Center.
(Distributed 01/25/11) WEST MONROE, La. – An LSU AgCenter horticulturist advised 200 gardening enthusiasts which woody shrubs and ornamental plants could be productive in northeast Louisiana landscapes. The presentation was part of a gardening forum sponsored by the Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners on Jan. 15.
(Distributed 01/28/11) CROWLEY, La. – Farmers should be patient for rice prices to catch up with other commodities, a Chicago financial analyst said Jan. 25 at the annual joint meeting of the Louisiana Rice Council and the Louisiana Rice Growers Association and a briefing by the USA Rice Federation.
(Distributed 01/06/11) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the Tangipahoa Master Gardeners are sponsoring their annual Camellia Garden Stroll from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20, at the Hammond Research Station.
(Distributed 01/04/11) The LSU AgCenter, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will hold a citrus training and law interpretation workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the Belle Chasse Auditorium.
(Distributed 01/12/11) The LSU AgCenter and the St. Tammany Master Gardeners Association will hold a gardening seminar Friday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p. m.
(Distributed 01/12/11) Rice farmers across south Louisiana got a refresher course recently (Jan. 7-10) from a slate of experts with the LSU AgCenter.
(Distributed 01/04/11) The recruitment process for the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program’s 2011-2012 group has begun, according to Bradley Leger, the program’s coordinator.
(Distributed 01/19/11) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Twelve people were certified as Master Nutrition volunteers after completing an LSU AgCenter program Jan. 12.
