(Video 8/27/12) It’s still hot, but some plants like it that way. Tropicals, like palm plants, love the muggy, humid conditions. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill advises doing research for the type of palms that suit your needs and then getting those plants in the ground very soon. (Runtime: 1:52)

(Video 8/13/12) It seems there’s no escape outside from the hot temperatures – except for the shade. So on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests doing some work in your shade garden. He offers some tips for properly selecting and growing shade plants. (Runtime 1:26)

(Video 8/20/12) Plants certainly make a garden special, but non-living items can help with overall effect. On this segment of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how you can use fountains to create illusions of coolness, even during the intense summer heat. (Runtime: 1:48)

(Video 08/06/12) Crape myrtles are blooming colorfully across Louisiana right now. If you want to add them to your yard, it’s a good time to view the different colors available at your local nursery. But it’s also important to do your own research on crape myrtles for your landscape – as LSU horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime - 1:36)

(Audio 08/27/12) Fungal diseases are common problems that can attack and damage our grass. Slime mold and mushrooms are fungi, but are not detrimental to our lawns. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/12) Louisiana gardeners tend to call both shallots and green onions, green onions. They are different plants. Shallots produce large bulbs and green onions never make large bulbs, but rather multiply. They can be planted using sets this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/12) We have several options when it comes to grass clippings, and throwing them away should never be one of them. They can be recycled back into the lawns if you mow regularly or bagged and used as mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/12) Gingers and cannas are popular tropical plants in Louisiana landscapes. They perform well through summer and may need pruning late in the season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/12) Plants inside homes are not protected from insects. There are no naturally occurring predators indoors, and temperatures are mild, so pest problems can spread rapidly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 08/03/12) There is something particularly satisfying about putting quality, nutritious food on the table as a direct result of your gardening efforts. This month is a transitional time in the vegetable garden.

(For Release On Or After 08/31/12) If you maintain a landscape, you deal with weeds. At this point in our long, hot summer, I’m sure you have devoted considerable effort to keeping your landscape from being taken over by various weeds in beds and lawns and by vines growing up trees and on fences.

(For Release On Or After 08/17/12) August is a month when gardeners should think about two important aspects of landscape maintenance – fertilizing and pruning. This month is the latest we fertilize lawns, hardy shrubs and ground covers in the landscape.

(For Release On Or After 08/24/12) Growing plants in outdoor containers is popular for a variety of reasons. In-ground beds are not always available where you would like to grow plants – as in the case of paved courtyards, decks, apartment balconies and patios.

(For Release On Or After 08/10/12) Forlorn flower beds past their prime and overrun with weeds are an all-too-familiar sight in late summer landscapes. Our long growing season and abundance of insect and disease problems generally make it unreasonable to expect all bedding plants to hold up from the beginning of summer in early May until its end.

(Audio 08/20/12) We are lucky in Louisiana to grow palms in our landscape. Palms are easy to care for. They need fertilizer in spring, some grooming from time to time and not much else. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/12) August is a good time to get roses ready for fall blooming. Gardener should prune their roses back. Roses also should be fertilized and watered regularly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/12) We fertilize lawns to make them a deep green and encourage growth. August is the last month to apply fertilizer. We need lawns to slow down in fall to make them hardy as they head into winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/12) Ajuga can make a nice ground cover. It has beautiful leaves, and certain types make lovely flowers, but ajuga can be prone to fungal issues. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/12) Aquatic features can add a cooling effect to our landscapes. You can add plants to your garden this time of the year. Also consider adding fish if you don't already have some. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/12) Pears are one of the easier homegrown fruit trees that we plant in our landscapes. If you have pears, learn the proper way to harvest and ripen them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/12) Butterfly weed or milkweed is very attractive to many butterflies. The monarch butterfly only lay its eggs on species of milkweed. If you have aphids on your plants, don't spray them because you might kill monarch butterfly eggs or caterpillars. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/12) By the end of summer potted plants may have outgrown their containers. When this happens plants become "potbound" and may not thrive. Replant these plants into bigger containers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/12) If you have shady areas in your landscape, consider planting ferns. You can add them during summer. Also, you can evaluate existing ferns and do some grooming this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/12) Louisiana iris are native to our state and popular in local landscapes. These plants are dormant now, making it a good time to dig them up and divide them if their clump is overgrown. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/12) Watering plants is important during dry summer periods. Check container plants often and walk your landscape looking for signs of drought stress. Irrigate deeply and thoroughly a few times a week rather than a little daily. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/12) Young trees need proper care. A good way to water a tree is to put holes on the bottom of a plastic bucket, fill it with water a few times a week and set it by the tree. Also keep grass away from young trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/12) Gardeners can plant transplants of eggplants and bell peppers for a fall crop. If you still have plants from the spring, maintain them and they can produce again when the weather cools down. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/12) Gardeners grow coleus for their beautiful foliage. These plants can produce flowers, but they should be pinched off. It's not too late to plant coleus, and you find varieties that grow well in sunny or shady locations. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/12) Spider mites and white flies often appear in larger numbers during late summer. These pests can damage a variety of plants but can be controlled with oil sprays. (Runtime: 60 seconds)