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(Video 12/25/13) Not sure when to get that plant into the ground? The 2014 Get It Growing calendar explains when to plant and how to care for your flowers and vegetables. As LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains, the calendar has valuable tips that will help the gardener throughout the year. (Runtime: 1:40)
(Audio 12/30/13) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of cool-season bedding plants. Many of them will be blooming now. If you deadhead them, that will encourage them to continue to bloom. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/30/13) The cold weather of January limits what vegetables can be planted this month. Some root crops are hardy and can be planted this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/30/13) Lawns are relatively carefree during winter. You may notice winter weeds popping up this time of the year. You don't have to wait until spring to use a lawn weed killer. You can do it on a mild day. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/30/13) The mild winters we have in Louisiana means we can plant hardy plants like shrubs or roses. January is a good time to plant roses, particularly if you are mail ordering them. They are usually shipped bare-root, and its best to handle bare-root roses this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/30/13) If you wondering what to do with holiday plants after the holidays, well it depends which kind you have. Poinsettias should be discarded, but a Christmas cactus or living Christmas tree can be enjoyed for years to come. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/23/13) Some of the plants we use to decorate during Christmas, like poinsettias, should be discarded after the holiday season. The Christmas cactus is one that can live year after year. Move them to a window that gets lots of sun and water regularly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/23/13) If you wanted tulips and hyacinths blooming in your spring garden and haven't chilled bulbs, it is too late. Tulip and hyacinth bulbs must be refrigerated before they can be planted out into our landscapes. If you have some chilled, you can plant them during the next few weeks. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/23/13) Gardeners may not think about planting roses in December, but this is a good time to do it. Rose bushes even make nice gifts. Roses are blooming now at the nursery, making it easier to select the variety you want. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 12/23/13) During the holiday season, you will see Christmas cactuses for sale in nurseries, home improvement stores and even supermarkets. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to care for your Christmas cactuses during the holiday season and throughout the year to help them do their best for years to come. (Runtime: 1:36)
(Audio 12/23/13) Many plants in the landscape are hardy in the winter, but tropical plants can be damaged by freezes. Herbaceous tropicals show their damage immediately. Damage on woody tropicals won't be evident until spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 12/16/13) During this time of year, brown and red foliage on many plants can indicate cold damage. But, as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains, hardy shrubs are different. (Runtime: 1:45)
(Audio 12/23/13) Louisiana cooks like to use green onions. They are easy to grow and simple to harvest. Hear more to learn about growing green onions. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/16/13) Gardeners can save seeds from seed packages or from plants. The seeds need to stay viable. Drying them and storing them in the refrigerator will keep the seeds fresh. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/16/13) Deciduous trees are wonderful in the landscapes. They provide great shade in summer and let the sun shine through in winter. But all the falling leaves have to be dealt with. Consider using the leaves as mulch or turning them into compost. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/16/13) Camellias are wonderful winter-flowering shrubs. They don't require a lot of care, but may need water during dry spells. Also keep in mind that their flowers could be damaged by freezes, but buds are hardy. Also watch out for camellia tea scale. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/16/13) Deciduous shade trees are known for changing colors. A few evergreens will do this as well. Some varieties of azaleas and nandinas will turn colors. This change doesn't mean there is a problem with the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/16/13) Many gardeners store their garden chemicals in outdoor sheds. Water-based chemicals can freeze if the weather gets cold enough. This could cause the container to burst and spill the contents. Make sure liquid materials are stored in an area where they won't freeze. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/10/13) Lawns may need some care during winter. One thing to watch for is leaves. If leaves stay on the lawn too long, they can damage it. Also weed issues can be addressed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/10/13) Fall, winter and early spring are good times to plant hardy fruit trees. Peaches are a wonderful fruit to grow in the home garden. Hear more to learn about growing a peach tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/10/13) Gardeners watching the weather need not worry about wind chill. Wind chill is how cold it feels to people. Plants do not need to be protected if the temperature is above freezing, even if the wind chill will be below freezing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/10/13) Louisiana has relatively mild winters. This allows weeds to survive and grow this time of the year. Keeping beds well mulched is a good defense against weeds. Weed killer also can be used. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/10/13) Freezes are likely this time of the year. Gardeners will need to protect tropical plants when freezes occur. Covers and Christmas lights can keep the plants warm. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/09/13) There is still time to plant cool-season bedding plants in your landscape. Prepare the beds before planting by digging up old plants and turning the soil. Some plants to consider include foxgloves, violas and the new Super Plant, Diamonds Blue delphiniums. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/09/13) Gardeners in Louisiana can produce a fall crop of tomatoes. With a freeze in November, many tomato plants are probably done. If you still have tomatoes, pick them before the next freeze. They can ripen indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/09/13) Cut Christmas trees are an important part of holiday traditions. Keeping a tree fresh and alive is important. To do this, chose wisely, and always keep it in water. Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/09/13) We use a wide variety of plants to embellish our homes around the holidays. Proper care will keep them attractive throughout the season. Take care when transporting these plants. Also place them in a sunny spot away from warm vents or a fireplace. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 12/09/13) Cold temperatures don't mean you can't have vegetables in winter. A variety of vegetables can withstand winter weather. Hear more to learn which vegetables you can plant this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 12/09/13) You may be noticing some blooms on roses right now. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to care for your roses during the fall and winter months to help them grow their best. (Runtime: 1:33)
(Video 12/02/13) Dreary, cold days of fall don’t have to be lacking in color. The Cassia splendida, also called golden wonder tree, surprises you with bright yellow flowers. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to care for this beautiful tree. (Runtime: 1:35)
(For Release On Or After 12/20/13) November through February is the best time to plant pecan trees. But before you decide to add a pecan tree to your landscape, there are some things to consider.
(For Release On Or After 12/27/13) Although we can’t grow the sugar maples that produce that delicious syrup here in Louisiana, a wonderful variety of maples can be used as shade trees and ornamentals in our landscapes. Now through February is a great time to plant them.
(For Release On Or After 12/13/13) Of the many kinds of plants we use to decorate our homes for the holidays, the holiday cactuses possess a special beauty. And yes, despite the fact that these plants don’t have spines, they are true cactuses.
(For Release On Or After 12/06/13) An easy-to-make garland might be just what you need to spruce up your front entrance before your holiday company arrives. It just so happens that December is an ideal time to prune conifers. Instead of throwing away what you prune from these plants, use them to make festive garlands.
