Droughts are rare incidents in Louisiana for extended periods of time. Nevertheless, they do occur, and gardeners must be prepared.
Gardeners could use a spade instead of a hoe when weeding the garden. Both tools are quite similar in shape, yet the hoe is purpose-built for this type of work.
Leafy green vegetables seem to have caught the world’s attention. Demand is growing stronger, but how can we make year-round production possible?
Artichokes are a member of the Asteraceae family. Artichokes prefer warm temperatures and thrive in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 and higher.
A brief guide on how and when to grow vegetables for small scale gardeners.
This guide is for growing garden herbs in Louisiana.
Gardening is one of Louisiana’s most popular activities, and this publication is designed to provide Louisiana vegetable gardeners with a comprehensive guidebook to help them get the most from their gardens.
A guide to minimizing insect infestation and damage in the home vegetable garden
This publication is intended to introduce home vegetable gardeners to the various methods used to manage the many diseases that affect these crops. (PDF Format Only)
The main reason to plant grafted tomato plants is to protect the plants from soil-borne diseases such as bacterial wilt, root knot nematode, and Fusarium wilt.
Peppers are a popular crop in the home garden, especially in Louisiana. These colorful fruit range from sweet and mild to hot in flavor.
Tips for the home gardener on planting onions, shallots, garlic and leeks, plus information on their pests and diseases.
Tips for planting broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower in the home garden.
The eggplant is believed to be a native vegetable of the Far East. Nutritionally, it is a good source of fiber and is high in Vitamin B and K. (PDF format only)
Squash and pumpkins are among the most popular and productive warm- season vegetables in Louisiana.
The tomato is one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. It requires little space when staked and tied and can produce 5 or more pounds of usable fruit per plant. Find information on varieties, soils, cultural practices and common pests and diseases. (PDF Format Only)
Irish potatoes are a cool-season vegetable grown in the late winter and spring in Louisiana and, to some extent, in late summer and fall. This publication includes information on varieties, insects, diseases, harvesting and storing of Irish potatoes. (PDF Format Only)
Recommendations on sweet corn varieties, cultural practices, diseases and pests for the home gardener.
Cucumber is a warm-season vegetable that yields a high return for the space it occupies.
Sweet potatoes (or yams) are a popular vegetable in the South. Many home gardeners in Louisiana plant this crop successfully. It requires plenty of room for the vines to run, a relatively light-textured soil and only a moderate amount of fertilizer. (PDF format only)
Leaf mold, caused by the fungus Passalora fulva, can cause severe defoliation and yield losses to tomatoes produced in the field in the southern United States.
Rosette disease is a destructive fungal disease of blackberries in Louisiana.
This publication has information on the varieties, pollination, soil preparation, planting and cultivation of vegetable pears. (PDF Format Only)
Organic gardening is popular in the United States, and interest is increasing in Louisiana. Organic gardening encourages particular garden practices that use natural biological cycles, enhance diversity and are ecologically sound. (PDF Format Only)
A guide to manage weeds in your home vegetable garden. (PDF Format Only)
A practical guide to determining when to harvest and how to store produce from your Louisiana spring and summer vegetable gardens. (PDF Format Only)
A transplant is a small plant germinated from a seed. Growing your own vegetable transplants is very rewarding. By using these basic tips, you’ll be able to grow all kinds of exciting vegetable varieties in your own backyard. (PDF Format Only)
A practical guide to determining when to harvest and how to store produce from your Louisiana fall vegetable garden. (PDF Format Only)
Constructing raised beds for the home vegetable garden. (PDF Format Only)
Strawberries are a great addition to the home garden. Whether you intend on growing just a few plants in a container or multiple rows in the garden, following the advice provided in this guide (weather permitting) will lead to a successful harvest. (PDF Format Only)
Growing lettuce in the home garden just makes sense because we consume so much of this versatile vegetable. Because lettuce is a fast-growing crop, it can be planted multiple times from late summer into the fall season. (PDF Format Only)
This series provides a variety of information for home vegetable gardeners. Topics include beans, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, peppers, onions, shallots, garlic and many more of the favorites of home gardeners.
Chinese cabbage grows well in Louisiana vegetable gardens. Chinese cabbage is an excellent substitute for head lettuce in salads and sandwiches.
This publication has information on the varieties, pollination, soil preparation, planting and cultivation of vegetable pears. (PDF Format Only)
Learn how to grow lima, snap and other beans in your home garden using the latest cultural practices, pest control and harvesting techniques. (PDF Format Only)
Many Louisiana homeowners have small greenhouses for growing potted plants and for starting annual flower and vegetable plants. You can also grow high-quality fresh vegetables in a home greenhouse during the cold months to add variety and interest to the family diet. Recommended varieties, temperature requirements, pest control and hobby greenhouse diagrams are included. (PDF Format Only)
Mini gardening is an intensive type of agriculture using a small space or containers to produce vegetables and plants. The main benefits derived from mini gardens are that they take much less space and require much less work. This publication includes information on constructing and maintaining a mini garden. (PDF Fomat Only)
Good marketing is the process of fulfilling the objectives of both the buyer and the seller. The factors you have some control over are the 4 Ps of product, price, placement and promotion. Here are some tips to help you tune up your produce marketing plan. (PDF Format Only)
Greenhouse tomatoes are about a $2.2 million business in Louisiana, assuming growers can sell what they produce for a profit. Learn the secrets of turning a profit from your tomatoes. (PDF Format Only)
When it is grown and handled properly, sweet corn is one of the highest-quality vegetables grown. Find information on recommended varieties and cultural practices to use when planting sweet corn. (PDF format only)
Farming of exotic mushrooms offers another opportunity to add to farm cash flow or supplemental income. It is also popular among home gardeners and organic farmers. Shiitake (pronounced she ta key) is the most popular of the exotics. This publication includes information on the fruiting, harvesting, pest problems, and cost and returns for shiitake mushrooms. (PDF format only)