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- Get It Growing
(Video 03/04/13) Now is a great time to plant vegetables like broccoli and cabbage in your garden. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains a crucial , but sometimes overlooked, part of vegetable production — harvesting at the right time. (Runtime: 1:49)
(Video 02/25/13) Now’s a great time to plant peach trees in Louisiana. Established ones need proper care, like pruning, to produce lots of mouth-watering fruit. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out some crucial tips for maintaining both young and mature peach trees. (Runtime: 1:39)
(Audio 02/25/13) Gardeners use a variety of terms to describe the different amounts of light plants need to grow and be healthy. Hear more to learn the differences of full sun, part sun, part shade and full shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/25/13) Perennials are wonderful plants that live for many years in our gardens. Many of these plants are dormant this time of the year, making it a great time to divide them. Hear more to learn how. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/25/13) Gardeners may not think about planting warm-season vegetables in the month of February. They can, however, plant sweet corn as early as the last week of February. Planting early helps minimize problems with pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/25/13) Fertilizers provide nutrients to plants to help them grow. Gardeners may have fertilizers left over from previous seasons. That is still good to use. Fertilizers will stay potent indefinitely. Just be sure to store it properly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/25/13) Ground covers are a popular part of Louisiana landscapes. We want evergreen ground covers, but sometimes they can have old foliage that needs to be trimmed back. This encourages the plant to grow new foliage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 02/18/13) Purple shamrock is an incredibly unique accent or border plant with spectacular purple foliage and small lavender-white flowers. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to this tough, beautiful ornamental that’s perfect for flower pots or garden beds. Runtime: 1:43
(Video 02/11/13) It’s not too early to plant Louisiana iris in your landscape. They grow well across the state and add an elegant touch to any yard. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides tips for care of your Louisiana iris. (Runtime: 1:31)
(Audio 02/18/13) Spring bulbs are up and growing. Some, like paperwhites, are already blooming. The foliage of spring bulbs is hardy, but if we get a freeze, the flowers can be damaged. Consider cutting them to bring indoors if a freeze is likely (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/18/13) Transplanting a tree or shrub may be desirable or necessary sometimes. Gardeners thinking about moving the plant should do it now while the plants are dormant. Doing it correctly will help the plant succeed in its new location. (Runtime: 60 seconds
(Audio 02/18/13) Gladioluses are beautiful in the flower garden. The flowers don't last long, so you can get a longer blooming season if you do several plantings in two-week intervals. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/18/13) Late winter is a great time to plant trees and shrubs into your landscape. It is easy to plant a tree, but you have to do it properly. Listen to learn how. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/18/13) A lot of gardeners like to prepare their beds before it is time to plant flowers or vegetables. Our weather can be rainy in late winter, and this makes it hard to work the soil. Make sure your soil isn't too wet when you prepare beds, or you could damage the soil. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/11/13) Gardeners can alter the color of their hydrangeas by applying additives to the soil this month. Lime can turn blue hydrangeas pink, and aluminum sulfate can change pink hydrangeas into blue ones. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/11/13) Gardeners interested in planting bare-root roses need to do so soon. Bare-root roses are more vulnerable than container roses, which can be planted throughout the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/11/13) Gardeners can fertilize shade trees in February. Large mature trees don't require fertilization, but trees in the first five to 10 years can use that boost. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/11/13) Shady areas can get a boost with cool-season color. Plants such as cyclamen, forget-me-nots and foxgloves can thrive in the shade. For areas with part shade, consider pansies and violas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/11/13) February is a good month to prune fruit trees. How you prune the trees can affect the harvest. Do some research before you prune to make sure you get the best production from your tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 1/28/13) Indoor greenery can add a nice accent to your home’s interior while improving the air quality. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to Dracaenas — a beautiful group of plants that offer a nice diversity of choices. (Runtime: 1:39)
(Video 02/04/13) If you’re searching for a tough, shade-loving plant with nice shiny leaves, ligularia might be the plant for you. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why it’s a good selection for Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 1:35)
(Audio 02/04/13) The winter has been mild in Louisiana, but we have had a few frosts that could have damaged tropical plants. You can prune damage off herbaceous tropical plants such as gingers and elephant ears. Wait to prune woody damage until the plants start to sprout in spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/04/13) Spider mites can be a problem on houseplants in the winter. These tiny insects are hard to spot, but listen to learn symptoms of spider mite damage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/04/13) Take care of roses that need pruning early this month. Roses that bloom throughout the year may need to be cut back to encourage new blooms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/04/13) Swiss chard is a wonderful vegetable that hasn't reached the popularity in the home garden as many other vegetables. It's nutritious, delicious and even beautiful in the garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 02/04/13) February isn't always frost-free, so gardeners can't yet plant spring vegetables. Anyone looking to put new vegetables into their gardens should plant cold-tolerant vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 02/01/13) Early February is an excellent time to cut back roses growing in your landscape. Hybrid tea and grandiflora roses, in particular, should be pruned around this time every year. Otherwise, these roses tend to become leggy, less vigorous and unattractive and do not bloom as well.
(For Release On Or After 02/15/13) Homeowners whose new houses were constructed on lots with existing trees are often dismayed to find the trees declining in health or dying a few years after construction. This tragedy can be avoided if existing trees are properly protected during construction around them.
(For Release On Or After 02/22/13) Swiss chard is a leafy vegetable that can be grown easily in Louisiana vegetable gardens during fall, winter and spring. It is reliable and very productive and should be planted more often. A cool-season vegetable grown primarily from October to June, it has better heat resistance than other greens, such as spinach.
(For Release On Or After 02/08/13) February is a great time to plant hardy fruit trees, bushes or vines in your landscape. Local nurseries should have an excellent selection newly arrived for planting in late winter and early spring.
