(Video 08/03/15) With the soaring heat of summer, we look forward to the cool temperatures of fall. Well, on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the coleus, a plant that displays vibrant fall shades, while standing tough through the summer. (Runtime: 01:34)

(Video 08/31/15) Japanese maples surge with burgundy color during the spring and beyond, but many of them aren’t looking too good right now. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why you shouldn’t worry about what you’re seeing now and how to provide basic care for this beautiful small tree. (Runtime: 02:02)

(Video 08/24/15) One hundred degree-plus temperatures like some we’ve recently experienced threaten to harm or kill our plants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill discusses how to fight the heat with proper irrigation devices for your particular needs. (Runtime: 02:01)

(Video 08/05/15) In the plant world, flowers with the name “blue” in them are usually purplish in color. But blue daze is one of those rare flowers that is actually blue. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a new, improved blue daze called Blue My Mind that will last until first frost. (Runtime: 01:37)

(Video 08/05/15) Ferns do poorly in areas that get lots of sunlight. But the asparagus fern, which looks like a fern even though it isn’t one, thrives in hot, sunny environments. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill discusses this relative of asparagus that provides a nice, fern-like look. (Runtime: 01:40)

(Distributed 08/31/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will hold its annual landscape horticulture industry field day for nursery, landscape and garden center professionals on Oct. 8.

(Distributed 08/31/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners are presenting two programs in area libraries on Sept. 17 from 6-8 p.m. and Nov. 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

(Distributed 08/28/15) Esperanza, also known by its scientific name Tecoma, typically comes with yellow flowers, but apricot, oranges and reds are now becoming available. A common name for this plant is yellow bells.

(Distributed 08/28/15) HAMMOND, La. – What a rough July and August in Louisiana for hot temperatures and droughty conditions. The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station in Hammond had 43 straight days of temperatures 95 or above. During that time we measured only 0.60 inches of rainfall. Similar high temperature durations and low rainfall totals were recorded across the state.

(Audio 08/31/15) If you're a gardener, it is important to take measures to protect yourself against mosquitoes. Apply insect repellent or wear protective clothing to ensure safety from bites. Listen for more information on repelling mosquitoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/27/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s sweet potato Foundation Seed Program is now part of the National Clean Plant Network, a group that strives to keep specialty crops free of diseases.

(Distributed 08/26/15) CHASE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host the second annual Northeast Region Youth Field Day at the Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase on Sept. 23.

(Video 08/19/15) Louisiana farmers are harvesting their rice crop. It’s been a challenging year with rain and cloud cover. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that yields are down but aren’t that bad, considering the weather. (Runtime: 01:17)

(Video 08/19/15) Louisiana farmers are busy harvesting this year’s corn crop. Will it set a new record for yield? LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report. (Runtime: 01:34)

(Distributed 08/25/15) POLLOCK, La. – A movement in Europe from coal to wood-fired electric generation has created a worldwide market for wood pellets, according to experts at a recent symposium.

(Distributed 08/25/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Avian flu virus has led to a number of poultry flocks being destroyed. LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Theresia Lavergne says this has tightened supplies, but poultry meat and eggs are still available for consumers.

(Distributed 08/24/15) MANGHAM, La. – Beef producers will hear ways for improving their bottom line at the annual Northeast Louisiana Beef and Forage Field Day, which is being held September 17 at Goldmine Plantation, 188 Cummins Road.

(Distributed 08/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter is moving its facility for growing weevils to eradicate the aquatic weed called salvinia. A location in Terrebonne Parish on the property of Michael St. Martin had been used for the past four years.

(Distributed 08/21/15) A great ornamental pepper for fall is Purple Flash.

(Distributed 08/21/15) DELHI, La. – Despite a rainy spring that delayed sweet potato planting, the 2015 season is shaping up well, growers learned at a field day on Aug. 20 at Black Gold Farms in Delhi.

(Distributed 08/20/15) DELCAMBRE, La. – The first week of shrimp season is providing the chance for consumers to buy shrimp off the boats here.

(Distributed 08/20/15) HAMMOND, La. – As we enter fall, many home gardeners are considering adding new plants to dress up the landscape. Two great plants for fall are celosia, which some of us also call cockscomb, and ornamental peppers.

(Distributed 08/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Teachers who started gardens at their schools last year were recognized for their progress at a half-day workshop on July 29 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Severe storms and excessive rainfall that resulted in the Red River flooding during the spring and summer caused an estimated $7 million damage to agriculture in northwest Louisiana, but that number will likely go up at harvest, said LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry.

(Distributed 08/18/15) NEW ORLEANS – Moving food from the farm to the dinner table – and everywhere else people eat – is a complex system, experts said at the Farm to Table International Symposium recently.

(Audio 08/24/15) Cannas and gingers are both plants that bloom in the summer. These plants produce stalks that need to be pruned once they've produced flowers that have faded. Listen for more information on pruning cannas and gingers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) August is the latest time of the year that you should fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing later than this can increase risk of diseases and decrease hardiness. Listen for more information on lawn fertilization. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) By late August or early September it will be time to prune your roses. Most roses should be cut back by about one-third and fertilized in order for vigorous growth to occur during the blooming periods. Listen for more information on pruning roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) If you'd like to manage grass clippings, there are a couple of options. Mowing frequently or using a mulching lawn mower can allow the grass clippings to compost and return nutrients to the soil. Or you can bag the clippings and compost them elsewhere. Listen for more information on managing grass clippings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) If you're planning on planting palms in your landscape, summer is the best time to do it. If your palms from last year died of freeze, try choosing a hardier palm this year. Listen for more information on planting palm trees in the summertime. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/14/15) Variegated tapioca, also known as manihot, is a tropical plant that’s at home in Louisiana.

(Distributed 08/14/15) HAMMOND, La. – The second hottest July on record in many parts of Louisiana coupled with below-normal rainfall statewide over the past eight weeks has led to drought symptoms in most landscapes. Lawns and landscape beds are suffering. Irrigation is vital through the rest of summer and through fall to prevent long-term damage to plants.

(Distributed 08/14/15) CROWLEY, La. – South Louisiana rice farmers have had excellent weather to get the 2015 crop out of the field, but the yield is a decline from the two exceptional harvests of the past two years, according to LSU AgCenter experts.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The cooling temperatures of fall create an ideal time to visit Burden Museum & Gardens, located at 4560 Essen Lane, just off Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Horse owners need to watch out for signs of respiratory diseases that occur during the summer, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Two Louisiana 4-H’ers were among 21 4-H’ers from 13 states who spent a week at California State University, Fresno, for the 2015 National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute Aug 4-8.

(Audio 08/17/15) Ferns are great plants for growing in the shade, which makes their maintenance much more appealing in the summer. Prune, mulch, water and fertilize these plants to encourage late summer growth. Listen for more information on fern maintenance. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) Pears are on of the most popular backyard fruits in Louisiana. Watch for ripening of the fruit by observing changes in color and firmness. Listen for more information on harvesting pears. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) Since Louisiana irises are dormant in the summer, now is a great time to transplant these plants. Transplanting can allow you to divide your clumps and give your irises more room to grow. Listen for more information on transplanting Louisiana irises. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) Butterfly weed is great for attracting butterflies in our landscapes. This plant is also crucial in restoring monarch butterfly populations. Listen for more information on the advantages of butterfly weed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) When your potted plants become too large for their containers, it's time to repot. Moving plants into a larger container can prevent health issues and encourage root growth. Listen for more information on repotting plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/13/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – When Alvin Ray started experimenting in his Prairieville kitchen about three years ago, he didn’t expect his creation — sweet, spicy, crispy pickles — to end up on store shelves.

(Distributed 08/11/15) NEW ORLEANS, La. – A team of young chefs from Ascension Parish earned second place in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off, 4-H Edition on Aug. 9.

(Distributed 08/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sugarcane aphids in Louisiana transitioned from sugarcane to grain sorghum in 2013 – some of the first such colonization in America. Since then, this invasive insect species has rapidly spread to all grain sorghum-producing parishes, decreasing quality and yield and causing catastrophic crop losses in 2014.

(Audio 08/14/15) Mulching trees during the first five years after being planted really helps with healthy growth and development. It is also important to pay attention to how you apply the mulch. Listen for more information on mulching young trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/11/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter International Programs recently completed a two-week (July 18 to Aug. 2) cross-country training program on port inspection and food safety regulations for eight officials from China.

(Distributed 08/11/15) BATON ROUGE, La – Robert Godke’s students have called him a mentor, a friend and a father figure.

(Distributed 08/07/15) Princess flower is also called tibouchina. Athens Blue dwarf tibouchina has purple flowers from late spring through fall.

(Distributed 08/10/15) ST. GABRIEL, La. – Representatives from the chemical manufacturer Syngenta shared information on monitoring atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in agriculture, at a meeting of Louisiana agriculture officials on Aug. 6 at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station.

(Distributed 08/07/15) HAMMOND, La. – Many great plants perform well in summer and fall in Louisiana. Some that are tropical-like in appearance include esperanzas, Pride of Barbados, cassava and copper plants. All are low-maintenance in the landscape.

(Audio 08/10/15) Chinch bugs are pests that plague Louisiana summer lawns. These bugs can attack your lawn and cause it to appear brown and straw-like. Listen for information on controlling these lawn pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/11/15) In Louisiana, it is possible to grow warm-season vegetables all the way until November. This allows us to plant a second crop of tomatoes in the summer. Listen for more information on growing fall tomatoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/12/15) Coleus is a beautiful plant whose foliage can add color to your garden. Stop by your local nursery to find a variety of coleus that suits your landscape. Listen for more information on these colorful plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/15) If your eggplant and bell pepper plants look like they're still in good shape, leave them in your garden to produce a second crop in the fall. If they're in bad shape, try planting fresh new transplants. Listen for more information on growing eggplants and bell peppers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker took three LSU students to Europe this summer to teach horse camps in three countries.

(Distributed 08/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La – Louise Wicker, a food scientist who spent much of her career on the faculty at the University of Georgia, was named director of the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture School of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

(Distributed 08/06/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Some people turn to family recipes for comfort during stressful times. Others, like Linda McAdams, turn them into a new career.

(Distributed 08/05/15) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station received accolades from national and international guests who toured the gardens on Aug. 3.

(Video 08/05/15) A summer spent around flowers was cheerful, yet educational for an LSU College of Agriculture student. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 01:49)

(Video 08/05/15) Scientists are releasing three species of wasps to help protect ash trees in north Louisiana. The ash trees are being threatened by the emerald ash borer, an invasive species from Asia. AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:42)

(Distributed 08/04/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The last week of July provided a week full of food, fun and nutrition education for 20 Louisiana youth ages 9 to 12 who attended Kid Chef Nutrition Camp July 28-31.

(For Release On 08/28/15) One of my favorite native plants is the Louisiana iris. When these plants bloom in the spring, their flowers are among the most colorful and beautiful to be found in Louisiana gardens. This time of the year, however, they may need some attention.

(For Release On 08/21/15) Successfully growing houseplants starts with understanding their needs. Primary among these is light. Light is the energy plants use to create their food. You cannot grow a plant where there is not enough light, no matter how good it looks in the location.

(For Release On 08/14/15) I live in an area that is rural transitioning into suburban. In many areas of the state, developers are building more and more new subdivisions in areas that were once wooded or open fields. People moving to these new subdivisions from more urban areas are often startled to encounter wildlife they never saw in the cities.

(For Release On 08/07/15) August is a transitional time in the vegetable garden. While cool-season planting begins in earnest next month, some of the more heat-tolerant cool-season vegetables, such as the cole crops, can be planted into the garden now.

(Audio 08/03/15) Watering plants is extremely important this time of year. Make it a point to monitor container plants and walk your landscape in order to keep track of needed watering. Listen for more information on providing plants with necessary moisture. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/03/15) When late summer rolls around, spider mites and white flies begin to appear in larger numbers. Although both of these pests cause damage to plants, they are easily controlled with light horticultural oil sprays. Listen for more information on preventing damage from these pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/03/15) With the long growing season we have in the summer, it's not uncommon for plants to become tall and overgrown. Early August is a great time to prune those plants to allow for more healthy and attractive growth. Listen for more information on pruning summer plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/03/15) Due to a short winter and early spring, insects and pests have been particularly bad this summer. Insect pests have shown up earlier and sustained larger populations this year. Listen for information on controlling insect pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/03/15) There's a wide variety of vegetables that can be planted in August. Visit your local nursery for seeds of vegetables such as cucumbers, snap beans, and lima beans or transplants of tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplants. Listen for more information on growing vegetables in August. (Runtime: 60 seconds)