(Audio 03/31/14) The cold winter didn’t kill crawfish, but it has significantly slowed their growth. LSU AgCenter crawfish specialist Greg Lutz says the crawfish in the pond are about the same size they were in December, and he doesn’t expect them to do much catching up. (Runtime: 1:22)
(Audio News 03/26/14) For the second year in a row, the value of agriculture to Louisiana's economy reached a record high. LSU AgCenter economist John Westra said the state's agriculture culture was $11.8 billion in 2013.
(Video 03/19/14) The cold winter hasn’t done much damage to the state’s wheat crop. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that the crop is in good shape heading into spring. (Runtime: 1:20 seconds)
(Video 03/19/14) The cold, wet winter is hampering spring planting. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that corn planting is behind schedule and fewer acres than expected may be planted if the state doesn’t soon see warmer, drier weather. (Runtime 1:20 seconds)
(Audio News 03/19/14) Less than one percent of Louisiana’s corn crop is in the ground. This is unusual for mid-March when farmers typically have much of the crop planted. Cold and wet weather has kept farmers out of their fields. (Runtime: 1:20 seconds)
(Video 03/24/14) Flowering bulbs are a natural part of spring. You might wonder: “Will my potted tulips or daffodils keep growing, or can I replant them?" On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill answers those questions and talks about the general care of these beautiful plants. (Runtime: 1:40 seconds)
(Video 03/31/14) It’s a great idea to get tomatoes into your garden during this time. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the many types of tomatoes you can choose for your early planting. (Runtime: 1:55 seconds)
(Audio 03/24/14) Thrips are very tiny insects that invade the flower buds of our roses. They usually are a problem on spring and early summer flowers. Controlling them can be difficult, but there are a few insecticides you can use. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/24/14) Deadheading your flowers prevents them from making seeds and encourages them to continue to produce blooms. It's just not necessarily to make the flower bed look pretty. Different types of flowers should be deadheaded more often than others. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/17/14) It is a wise to hire an arborist to inspect trees on property you are planning to purchase. The trees may need care that could create costs in the future. (Runtime 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/24/14) The stinging buck moth caterpillar can pose a hazard to people and pests. If you see them in your trees, you can get a pest service to come and spray them before they make their way down. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/17/14) There are many different types of fertilizers. All plants need the same essential elements, so all of your plants can be fertilized with the same general fertilizer. The type of area where a plant is located indicates the type of fertilizer to use. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/17/14) Brown patch is a common fungus that attacks lawns. This happens when the weather is cool and moist. Controlling brown patch will help ensure healthy grass for your lawn. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/1714) Sago (Say-go) palms grow well in Louisiana. But they are particularly dangerous to dogs this time of year. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains that danger and what you can do about it, as well as some other Sago plant care tips, on this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime 1:39 seconds)
(Video 03/10/14) Japanese magnolias are beautiful spring-flowering trees, and now is a good time to plant them. With a variety of flower colors and styles, they are a striking sight in Louisiana landscapes. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains where to plant your Japanese magnolia and how to take care of it. (Runtime 1:38 seconds)
(Audio 03/10/14) Perennials are plants that last year after year. They provide a colorful variation in your gardens. Dividing these perennials and spreading them out can make your landscape diverse in texture. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/05/14) Rare and endangered birds are making a comeback in Louisiana with the help of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the LSU AgCenter. AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report on the effort to bring back the whooping crane.(Runtime: 2:20 seconds)
(Audio 03/03/14) Cool-season weeds are active in lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens this time of the year. You don't want to allow these weeds to flower and set seeds. Get rid of them as best you can to keep them under control. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/03/14) You may see plants like dianthus and pansies blooming in flower beds and consider planting some this time of year. The best of those were planted in fall or winter. Beds planted with these flowers this month will never achieve the look of earlier planted beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/03/14) Now is a good time to begin getting your yard into better shape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how late February is a great time to trim ground cover or add some of these plants to your landscape. (Runtime: 1:50 seconds)
(Distributed 03/11/14) JEANERETTE, La. – More than 150 people attended the 2014 Beef Cattle Producers Annual Spring Field Day held at the LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station on March 8.
(Distributed 03/14/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The 2014 Central Louisiana Garden Expo will be held at the State Evacuation Shelter in Alexandria on April 11-12.
(Distributed 02/28/14) Osteospermums are becoming more popular as cool-season-to-warm-season transition bedding plants in the landscape. These plants are commonly referred to as African daisy.
(Distributed 03/14/14) POLLOCK, La. – The Louisiana 4-H program has again received the $30,000 Eat4-Health grant through National 4-H and United Healthcare.
(Distributed 03/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Unusually cold temperatures in north Louisiana parishes are expected to have killed 90 percent of the salvinia weevils used to combat the invasive aquatic plant giant salvinia, which is clogging waterways across Louisiana, according to LSU AgCenter weed scientist Dearl Sanders.
(Distributed 03/19/14) WINNSBORO, La. – About one percent of Louisiana’s corn crop is in the ground. This is unusual for mid-March when farmers typically have much of the crop planted.
(Distributed 03/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden has received a $10,000 grant from Dow Chemical through its DowGives program for construction of a Children’s Garden Outdoor Classroom to serve as a teaching shelter, sound barrier and protection from the sun.
(Distributed 03/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Only three billion of the seven billion people in the world are well-nourished, according to Lindsay Allen, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service Western Human Nutrition Research Center. She said this is a problem in both wealthy and poor countries.
(Distributed 03/31/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Although agriculture is a vital $11.8 billion industry in Louisiana, many children do not realize the role it plays in their daily lives.
(Distributed 03/21/14) HAMMOND, La. – Six bedding plants have been named national All-America Selection winners for the 2014 gardening season. They include Serenita Pink angelonia, Florific Sweet Orange New Guinea impatiens, Sparkle White gaura, NuMex Easter ornamental pepper, Akila Daisy White osteospermum and African Sunset petunia.
(Distributed 03/26/14) CROWLEY, La. – Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter agronomist at the Rice Research Station near Crowley, is participating in a multi-state study on arsenic in rice to determine if levels of the element are higher in different varieties and to see if varied flooding methods affect arsenic content
(Distributed 03/07/14) WINNSBORO, La. – To help farmers sort through the hundreds of apps available to aid with agricultural production, an LSU AgCenter soil scientist has begun posting online reviews.
(Distributed 03/17/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 500 gardeners from throughout the Southeast are expected in Baton Rouge for the Southern Region Master Gardener Conference Oct. 21-24.
(Distributed 03/28/14) Most folks do not know about cat whiskers (Orthosiphon stamineus).
(Distributed 03/21/14) A Louisiana Super Plant to consider for this spring is the Bandana lantana.
(Distributed 03/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The 12th annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show is set for March 29-30 at the John M. Parker Coliseum on Highland Road in Baton Rouge.
(For Release On Or After 03/14/14) Gardening is no different from any other human endeavor. Whether you want to repair your own car or cook a fancy meal, you must understand the information and techniques that have to be learned and done properly.