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- Get It Growing
(Video 3/28/11) Spring is a time that conjures images of the pinks and purples of azaleas. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how one misunderstood plant -- which happens to be grey -- can provide a striking enhancement to azaleas and trees in your landscape. (Runtime: 1:29)
(Video 03/07/11) Many gardeners grow plants in containers. But is one garden pot as good as another? On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why you can’t go wrong with a terra cotta container. (Runtime: 1:32)
(Video 3/28/11) Spring is a time that conjures images of the pinks and purples of azaleas. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how one misunderstood plant -- which happens to be grey -- can provide a striking enhancement to azaleas and trees in your landscape. (Runtime: 1:29)
(Audio 03/21/11) Gardeners need to be proactive when spraying fruit trees with insecticides and fungicides. If you wait to spray until worms are in your peaches or apples, it is too late. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/21/11) Spring is a good time to plant vegetable transplants into your garden. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what to look for and what to avoid when purchasing your vegetable plants. (Runtime: 1:31)
(For Release On Or After 03/11/11) The condition and type of soil in which you garden has a profound effect on the health and growth of your plants. One of the most common mistakes novice gardeners make is putting too little effort into learning about their soil.
(Audio 03/07/11) Pollination is an important part of growing a vegetable garden. Some plants are self-pollinating, but vegetables such as squash have to be pollinated by bees or insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/14/11) March and April are active months in Louisiana landscapes. Before you plant anything, be sure to properly prepare the beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/28/11) During early spring, Louisiana gardeners may notice holes appearing on their trees. The culprit likely is a small bird called a sap sucker. You can wrap the trunk of a tree with burlap for the remainder of the spring to prevent damage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/07/11) Spring-flowering bulbs add a lot to our gardens. Most of these plants will not re-bloom for us next year, but narcissus and daffodils will. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/28/11) The best time to prune spring-flowering shrubs is right after they finish flowering. Prune only if necessary and have a specific purpose in mind when pruning. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/28/11) Spider mites attack a wide variety of ornamentals and vegetables in our gardens. They are particularly bad in the spring during warm, dry weather. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/07/11) Many gardeners grow plants in containers. But is one garden pot as good as another? On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why you can’t go wrong with a terra cotta container. (Runtime: 1:32)
(Audio 03/07/11) Vegetable transplants purchased from nurseries have been grown in greenhouses. They have led a sheltered life and can become stressed if planted out in the garden before being hardened off. Gradually expose them to sun and wind. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/14/11) Spring is a tricky time for deciding which bedding plants to include in your landscape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how spring's short transitional window can create problems for gardeners if they don’t make the proper selections at the nursery. (Runtime: 1:40)
(For Release On Or After 04/01/11) Louisianans have appreciated the enjoyable qualities of spicy foods for generations. The fire in Louisiana cooking is provided primarily by the use of hot peppers or products made from them like red pepper and hot sauce. A backyard garden wouldn’t be complete without a few pepper plants – hot and sweet – to pick from.
(Audio 03/07/11) Many gardens have beautiful petunias, pansies, snapdragons and dianthus. The best looking beds were planted last fall. If you want these plants in your flower beds, plant them as soon as possible. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/21/11) Deadheading is the term gardeners use to describe removing faded flowers from plants. This keeps the plants looking attractive. It also prevents the plants from setting seeds and encourages them to produce more flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/07/11) March is a great month to fertilize shrubs in landscapes. Remember, fertilizing is not necessary if your shrubs are growing well. Having your soil tested can help you choose the appropriate fertilizer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/21/11) Nurseries can have an overwhelming variety of fertilizers. Gardeners don't need a fertilizer for every plant. A general purpose fertilizer can work for most plants in the yard. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/14/11) Brown patch is a common fungal disease that attacks lawns. St. Augustine grass is most susceptible, and the disease starts when the weather is cool and moist. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/21/11) The buck moth caterpillar is found primarily on live oaks, and by late March you can see the caterpillar masses in the trees. If you have problems with these stinging caterpillars, have the trees sprayed before the caterpillars move down. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/14/11) Mulches are applied over the soil surface around flower beds, trees and vegetables. They suppress weeds, maintain soil moisture and moderate soil temperature. You may need to put down new mulch a couple of times a year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 03/25/11) Convincing a group of kids that herbs are important is easy. Just mention pizza (oregano), spearmint gum (spearmint), dill pickles (dill) and peppermint candy (peppermint), and you’ll have them all agreeing that herbs are great. Adults generally need no such convincing because most of us know that herbs are vital to flavor many dishes. More gardeners should also know that herbs are easy to grow and can add flowers, fragrance and textures to the landscape.
(Audio 03/14/11) Perennials live from year to year in our Louisiana landscapes. Over time, however, the clumps can become too large for their area. Spring is a good time to divide perennials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/14/11) Lawns begin to wake up around the state in March. This grass is best left alone and not stimulated by fertilizers. The old root system is dying off, and the grass needs to establish a new one before your fertilize it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 03/04 /11) Many small flowering trees help brighten our landscapes from late winter through spring. One of the more beautiful of our early-spring flowering trees is in bloom now.
(Audio 03/21/11) A professional home inspection before purchasing a house can save a new homeowner money and hassle . Having an arborist inspect trees on the property also can potentially affect the value of the land. (Runtime: 60 second)
(For Release On Or After 03/18/11) March kicks off the spring lineup of Louisiana Super Plants selections. The Louisiana Super Plants program is an LSU AgCenter educational and marketing campaign that highlights tough and beautiful plants that perform well in Louisiana landscapes. The first selection to be promoted this spring is a great new gardenia variety called Frostproof (Gardenia jasminoides Frostproof).
(Audio 03/28/11) April is a busy month for planting in the home vegetable garden. Some of the more popular vegetables should be planted early in the month before the temperatures climb too high. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/28/11) Gardeners can find many educational programs during the spring with information about gardening in Louisiana. Make an effort to attend some of these programs and become a better gardener. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
