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Pick a fresh Christmas tree for your holiday season
(Audio 11/30/15) When choosing a Christmas tree, make sure it's still fairly fresh. You can buy a tree that has already been cut, or you can cut your own at a Louisiana Christmas tree farm. Listen for more information on choosing a Christmas tree this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Grow some vegetables this December
(Audio 11/30/15) Don't forget that our mild Louisiana winters allow us to grow vegetables year-round. Try growing beets, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale and other vegetables this time of year. Listen for more information on caring for winter vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Properly store gardening equipment this winter
(Audio 11/30/15) During wintertime, gardening activities slow down significantly. This means that a lot of our gardening equipment is going to be in storage. Listen for information on properly storing your tools this winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Plant cool-season bedding plants soon
(Audio 11/30/15) Hurry up and plant some cool-season bedding plants in your flower garden before it's too late. Look for plants such as pansies, snapdragons and violas to add to your cool-season garden. Listen for more information on cool-season bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Add holiday plants to your seasonal decorations
(Audio 11/30/15) At this time of year, many people enjoy decorating their homes with holiday plants. Try adding some poinsettias or a Christmas cactus to your holiday decorations this year. Listen for more information on caring for holiday plants this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Fire Spike
Firespike sparks the attention of hummingbirds
(Video 11/30/15) The firespike is a tropical plant with lush green leaves, topped with blazing red blooms that reach upward. It’s a favorite of hummingbirds. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to care for this distinguished fall perennial. (Runtime: 01:40)
Keep potted amaryllis indoors this winter
(Audio 11/16/15) Potted amaryllis bulbs need to be kept inside during the winter months to avoid damaging the plants. Once April rolls around, it will be time to find the perfect location for these flowers in your garden bed. Listen for more information on caring for amaryllis plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Grow root crops in your winter garden
(Audio 11/16/15) Root crops are an important part of our winter vegetable gardens. Be sure you take note of which vegetables need to be direct seeded and how each vegetable should be harvested. Listen for more information on winter root crops. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Sky Flower Vine
Beautiful blue skyflower vine is big, but manageable
(Audio 11/23/15) Are you looking for a large vine that grows profusely, while offering beautiful flowers? Then the blue skyflower vine might fit your needs. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how the skyflower, which blooms in both summer and fall, might be a good choice for your landscape. (Runtime: 01:37)
Leslie Ann Camelia
Super Plant Leslie Ann camellia shows off in the fall
(Video 11/16/15) Camellias are attractive shrubs that come in various colors and varieties. The Leslie Ann camellia sasanqua has been recognized by the LSU AgCenter as a Louisiana Super Plant. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces us to the tough and beautiful Leslie Ann – a plant that produces scores of buds that flower beautifully in the fall. (Runtime: 01:47)
Mexican Tarragon
Mexican tarragon combines beauty and flavor
(Video 11/09/15) Occasionally, you’ll find plants that are both beautiful and functional. Mexican tarragon is one of them. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how this herb has it all — beautiful flowers and flavorful foliage. (Runtime: 01:53)
Protect your camellias from tea scale insects
(Audio 11/16/15) We need to be vigilante about protecting our camellias from tea scale insects. These pests can cause leaves to turn yellow on the surface but can be controlled with a horticultural oil spray or insecticide. Listen for more information on controlling tea scale insects in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Use chrysanthemums for Thanksgiving decorations
(Audio 11/16/15) Chrysanthemums are great plants to use for Thanksgiving decorations. For longer lasting plants, try to choose the chrysanthemums with flowers that are not fully in bloom yet. Listen for more information on choosing the right chrysanthemums for you. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Add cool-season plants to your garden
(Audio 11/16/15) One advantage to living in the Deep South is that our mild winters allow us to have a year-round growing season for bedding plants and vegetables. Try adding cool-season bedding plants such as pansies, violas, snapdragons, ornamental kale or ornamental cabbage to your garden now. Listen for more information on gardening during the cool season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Mexican Sunflower
Mexican sunflower stands tall with fall color
(Video 11/02/15) Sunflowers are blooming now. But there’s another type of sunflower you might not know about. It’s called Mexican sunflower, and it blooms beautifully in the fall. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why this tall native of Mexico can make a great addition to your landscape. (Runtime: 01:49)
Plant shade-tolerant plants this cool season
(Audio 11/09/15) If you're having trouble finding plants that will do well in shade during the cool season, try planting Swan columbines, foxgloves or primroses. These plants come in a variety of colors and can produce some beautiful flowers. Listen for more information on shade tolerant plants in the cool season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Check out Leslie Ann sasanquas
(Audio 11/09/15) The Leslie Ann sasanqua plant is a camellia that has been selected as a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2015. These plants have smaller flowers and leaves than camellia japonicas and bloom in the fall. Consider adding some Leslie Ann sasanquas to your garden this fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Tend to your dormant perennials
(Audio 11/09/15) Although perennials can survive year round for several years, they don't always look attractive. Cut back any untidy or tired-looking perennials and add mulch to their beds. Listen for more information on handling perennials this fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Try harvesting tomatoes in the fall
(Audio 11/09/15) Due to the length and temperatures of our fall season, it is possible to grow warm-season vegetables this season. Several vegetables, specifically tomatoes, can easily produce a crop in the fall. Listen for more information on warm-season vegetables in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Add Homestead Purple verbena to your garden
(Audio 11/09/15) A Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2015, homestead purple verbena, is an excellent flowering perennial to plant in your garden. These low-growing plants have evergreen foliage and will bloom for you in fall, spring and early summer. Listen for more information on homestead purple verbena. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
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