Put away fertilizer for most of fall

(Audio 10/28/13) As we move into fall, gardeners may wonder what to fertilizer. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says generally nothing. We want trees and shrubs to go dormant, and they won't benefit from fertilizer. The exceptions include cool-season plants and perennials that grow this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Consider composting leaves

(Audio 10/28/13) It is a little early to see a lot of leaves dropping out of your trees. But next month there will be leaves to deal with. Don't rake, bag them and throw them out. Instead consider composting them or using them as mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Check trees for broken limbs

(Audio 10/28/13) Storms and high winds are common during Louisiana's summers. As a result you may have broken limbs in your trees. Look at your trees and call an arborist if you have ragged stubs or limbs that may fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Wildflowers bloom in fall

(Audio 10/28/13) Louisiana wildflowers put on an outstanding display in fall. Look around and notice what nature does every year. Some of the plants to look for are goldenrod, asters and narrow-leaf sunflowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Winterizing is optional for Louisiana lawns

(Audio 10/28/13) You may hear about winterizing your lawn in fall. This means applying potassium to our lawns. Plants need potassium during winter, but winterizing is optional. If you do, make sure to buy the correct winterizer for Louisiana lawns. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Dont prune gardenias until late May early June

(Video 10/28/13) Now is a great time to plant hardy shrubs. Maybe one of the best-smelling of all those shrubs is the gardenia. But as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out on this edition of Get It Growing, if you want those great smells from nice, white flowers in the spring, you want to avoid pruning your gardenias at this time. (Runtime: 1:33)

Its a great time to plant tasty chives

(Video 10/21/13) Now is a great time to plant cool-season herbs. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to chives – an herb with beautiful flowers and tasty foliage. (Runtime: 1:35)

Cool-season herbs are ready for planting

(Audio 10/24/13) A wide variety of hardy herbs can be planted this time of the year. These herbs won't be hurt by the cold weather. They will need a well-drained, sunny location. Consider planting herbs such as chives, oregano, sage, thyme and lavender. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Delphinium makes rank as La. Super Plant

(Audio 10/25/13) Diamonds Blue delphiniums are a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2013. They are a low-growing variety of delphiniums that are a true blue color. Plant them now, and they will bloom in fall and winter and put on the best show in spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Harvest broccoli at right time

(Audio 10/22/13) Broccoli is a great cool-season vegetable to grow. Harvesting broccoli can be tricky. Gardeners may wait for the head to be a certain size before harvesting. This can lead to the broccoli flowering. Don't go by the size of the head, but rather the size of the buds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Fruit trees like fall planting

(Audio 10/23/13) Now through February is the best time to plant fruit trees. A fall planting allow them to get established and send out strong roots. Don't expect a good harvest the first few years, and be sure to plant varieties suitable for Louisiana. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Plant hardy shrubs in autumn

(Audio 10/21/13) Fall is the best time of the year to plant hardy trees and shrubs. These plants are not bothered by winter cold and establish well in the cool days of autumn. Roses, camellias and azaleas are all good to plant now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Alter hydrangea color with soil additives

(Audio 10/14/13) Hydrangeas are wonderful flowering shrubs. Gardeners looking to change the color of their hydrangeas can add amendments to the soil this month. If you want blue hydrangeas, apply aluminum sulfate. For pink hydrangeas, put lime around them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Summer bulbs are going dormant

(Audio 10/14/13) Most summer bulbs can be left in the ground and will survive our winters. Simply cut back the foliage when it turns brown and keep the ground mulched. Caladiums and hybrid gladiolus do better dug up and stored for the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Caladium tubers can be stored during winter

(Audio 10/13/14) Caladiums are going dormant. October is the time to dig up the tubers for storage during winter. Do this while there is still foliage attached to the tubers. Let the foliage turn brown, and it will detach easily. Store the tubers indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Tea scale can infest camellia plants

(Audio 10/14/13) Camellias are popular in Louisiana. They are relatively pest free, but they do have one issue, the camellia tea scale. This insect can be controlled with an oil or systemic spray. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Plants to consider for shady areas

(Audio 10/07/13) Louisiana gardeners do have options for cool-season plants that do well in shady areas. Plants such as Camelot foxglove, Swan columbine and forget-me-nots will grow in the shade, but could use some morning sun. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Chrysanthemums make great fall plants

(Audio 10/07/13) Chrysanthemums start showing up in nurseries in September. October is a better month to plant them. The cooler days allow the plants to last longer. They are also great in pots on porches, on patios and indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Gardeners can plant strawberries in October

(Audio 10/07/13) Louisiana gardeners who want to plant strawberries need to do so soon. Check nurseries and garden centers for strawberry plants. These should be planted in well-prepared beds in full sun. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Time to plant cool-season bedding plants

(Audio 10/07/13) October is a great time to plant cool-season bedding plants into your gardens. These include pansies, dianthus and ornamental vegetables. Plant them now for flowers in fall and spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Plant sweet peas for color, fragrance

(Audio 10/07/13) Gardeners crave color in the landscape. Many cool-season plants will provide wonderful color, but sweet pea also has a fantastic fragrance. Sweet pea can be planted now and needs a fence or trellis to climb on. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Cigar plants add bright color to fall landscapes

(Video 10/14/13) When you look at a fall landscape dotted with warm red shades, you wouldn’t expect to see tropical plants. But, cigar plants are hardy, perennial tropicals that bloom profusely in the fall. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how these beautiful cigar plants, also called cigar flowers, work great in your fall flower beds. (Runtime: 1:36)

Mums provide burst of fall beauty

(Video 10/07/13) In many parts of Louisiana, fall doesn’t include all the oranges, reds, and yellows you might see farther north. But you can simulate that fall-like look for your landscape by planting mums. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides some useful tips on selecting chrysanthemums that meet your particular needs. (Runtime: 1:31)

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Here’s what to do with caladiums

(For Release On Or After 10/11/13) Caladiums are among the most reliable summer bedding plants for providing color in shady areas and even in sunny beds. They stay attractive despite the intense heat of summer and are rarely bothered by insects or disease.

Greens are a Southern favorite

(For Release On Or After 10/18/13) In the South, the term “greens” refers to vegetables whose leaves are cooked until tender. During cool fall temperatures, mustard, turnip, collards and other greens flourish in the vegetable garden. And now is an excellent time to plant them.

Drift rose selected as Louisiana Super Plant

(For Release On Or After 10/04/13) A great new series of low-growing landscape roses, called Drift roses, has been named a Louisiana Super Plants selection for fall 2013. Fall is a great time to plant roses – they establish very well in the cooler weather and provide outstanding color to the fall garden.

Diamonds Blue delphiniums sparkle in the cool-season garden

(For Release On Or After 10/25/13) An exceptional, blue-flowered, cool-season bedding plant called Diamonds Blue delphinium (Delphinium chinensis Diamonds Blue) is a Louisiana Super Plants selection for fall 2013.