(Distributed 11/30/12) This is a great time to add new trees to our landscapes. Oak trees are very popular in Louisiana landscapes, and we are familiar with the popular Southern live oak. Deciduous oaks – those that lose foliage in winter – common in Louisiana are water oak, shumard oak, southern red oak and willow oak. The one, however, with the best potential for landscape use is the nuttall oak.

(Audio 11/26/12) The soil in Louisiana typically stays warm during winter, so you can plant a number of plants this time of year. Tropical plants are the exception; they should be planted during warm weather. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/26/12) While gardeners don't see as many insects on plants during winter, they are still out there. Vegetables and cool-season plants can attract pests. Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, snails and slugs.

(Distributed 11/26/12) ABBEVILLE, La. – A seafood promotion and marketing project aimed at developing direct sales from fishermen to customers is being expanded along the Louisiana Gulf Coast.

(Audio 11/26/12) Fall is not the best time to fertilize plants in the landscape. Most plants are going dormant for the winter. Fertilizing them now could hurt them. A few exceptions are cool-season bedding plants, vegetables and Louisiana iris. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/26/12) Fall is the best time to plant hardy trees and shrubs in the landscape. Planted now, trees have time to settle in before the heat of summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/26/12) BATON ROUGE, La. – Two of the 10 Louisiana participants in the national 4 H Poultry and Egg Conference recently (Nov. 14 15) won first and second place in cooking competition.

(Distributed 11/21/12) BATON ROUGE, La. – The holidays mean an increase in mail orders for boxed cheese at the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store. The boxes contain two pounds of cheese that sell for $11.50 a box, plus tax and shipping charges.

(Distributed 11/21/12) Japanese maples have the potential to be one of the most outstanding small trees for specimen plantings and focal-point use in residential landscapes in the Southeast.

(Distributed 11/20/12) BATON ROUGE, La. – Twenty winners of this year’s Louisiana 4-H Educational Awards Trip were honored at an awards luncheon at The Club at Union Square, formerly the LSU Faculty Club, on Nov. 20.