(Audio 01/27/14) Ground covers are low-growing, evergreen plants that work nicely in shady areas of lawns where grass won't grow. They can also lower the maintenance of lawns. Ground covers are hardy and can be planted this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/27/14) Late January and early February is a good time to plant roses. Gardeners can find roses at local nurseries. The earlier you get them in, the more time they have to establish before the warm weather arrives. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/27/14) Most people have a few plants growing indoors. To keep houseplants healthy and happy, they must get the right amount of light. Keep them by a clean window and pull back curtains or blinds to get the maximum amount of light. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/27/14) Louisiana has seen some really cold weather this winter. Many tropical plants have been damaged by the freezes. Gardeners can cut back herbaceous tropical plants like cannas, but should wait until spring to cut back woody tropical plants like hibiscus or angel trumpets. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 01/27/14) It’s an ideal time to plant fruit trees and bushes now. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains crucial tips to keep in mind when purchasing your fruit plants. (Runtime: 1:36)
(Audio 01/20/14) It is important for gardeners to understand that fertilizer is a tool we use to provide adequate supplies of nutrients to plants. When plants are dormant and not growing, they do not need those extra nutrients so there is no reason to fertilize them. Plants that are in active growth this time of the year can be fertilized. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 01/20/14) Freezes may have killed your favorite plants, but unfortunately, weeds in your lawn don’t go away as easily. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill describes the proper herbicides to use to tackle pesky weeds during winter. (Runtime: 1:37)
(Video 01/13/14) Hard freezes have impacted plants throughout Louisiana. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to prune back damaged tropicals and how to protect them through the rest of the winter. (Runtime: 1:49)
(Audio 01/13/14) Gardeners use a wide variety of products in their gardens. Many of these, such as insecticides and fungicides, may break down over time, but this doesn't apply to fertilizers. They stay viable indefinitely. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/13/14) Many plants in your landscape are dormant at this time. You can easily prune deciduous trees while with their leaves off. Gardeners can also prune summer-flowering trees such as crape myrtles and vitex without affecting the flowering. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/06/14) It is wonderful to have plants indoors. In winter, you may have more plants inside. Make sure your plants are getting enough light. If you have plants that are not doing well, try moving them to a sunnier spot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/06/14) Parsley is used often in Louisiana cooking. It garnishes food and makes the plate attractive. Parsley can also be decorative in the garden. Now is a good time to plant this herb. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/06/14) It is too early to plant things such as tomatoes and eggplants into the garden. But now is a good time to start growing your own transplants. It takes about eight weeks to grow transplants, so decide when you want to plant them into your garden and start your transplants eight weeks ahead. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 01/06/14) Foxgloves, delphiniums and hollyhocks will do well in Louisiana gardens if planted early. Try the Camelot foxglove, which is a Louisiana Super Plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 01/10/14) It is not unusual for rainy weather to be an issue in late winter or early spring in Louisiana. Rain is common in late December, January and February. March is often stormy.
(For Release On Or After 01/24/14) In the gardening world, “spring fever” is that time of the year when gardeners flock to nurseries in droves to buy flowers, shrubs, trees and other types of plants by the truckload. During that time, a frenzy of planting takes place, and the nurseries are crowded most weekends.
(For Release On Or After 01/31/14) Few shrubs or trees are best purchased and planted while they are in bloom. One notable shrub, however, is currently in glorious bloom, and right now is an excellent time to plant it into your landscape.