(02/04/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will offer a Lead Certified Renovator training course on Feb. 23 and a refresher course on March 10.

(02/04/16) OAK GROVE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a workshop on March 2-3 in Oak Grove to educate produce growers, packers and processors about GroupGAP, a new food safety certification program.

(02/04/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has released a guide listing grain sorghum hybrids that offer resistance to the sugarcane aphid, a pest that has caused significant damage to Louisiana’s sorghum crop in recent years.

(02/04/16) JENNINGS, La. – The possibility of exporting rice to China could become reality this year, and work continues to open trade with Cuba, the USA Rice president reported to rice growers at their annual meeting Wednesday (Feb. 3).

(02/04/16) HAMMOND, La. – Roses continue to be one of our most popular ornamental plants, and home gardeners should learn about and be aware of recommended management practices for them, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings.

(02/04/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of Ascension Parish teachers spent a day away from their students to become students themselves. The teachers were learning how to develop school gardens as part of the LSU AgCenter’s Greauxing Gardens program at the AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(02/04/16) BATON ROUGE La. – The LSU AgCenter will offer a seminar on Feb. 17 in Metairie to help educate home contractors, designers, inspectors and owners about new energy efficiency requirements.

(Video 02/08/16) It’s nearly time to plant citrus trees here in Louisiana — that is, after freezes are gone. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains which citrus are most and least tolerant of cooler weather and how to care for them. (Runtime: 01:47)

(Video 02/15/16) Pineapple guava is a plant you can grow as a privacy screen or grow into a tree. But as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing, the pineapple guava has no major insect or disease problems and produces delicious fruit. (Runtime: 01:51)

(Video 02/03/16) An LSU AgCenter program is helping gardens sprout in schools across Louisiana. Teachers will soon be planting gardens at most public elementary and middle schools in Ascension Parish after a recent workshop aimed at getting school gardens growing. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 01:40)

(Video 02/03/16) LSU’s mascot is known as Mike the Tiger, the only live tiger mascot in the country. Students in the LSU College of Agriculture’s Residential College got an up-close look at Mike’s habitat and learned what it is like to take care of such a magnificent creature. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:33)

(02/03/16) HAMMOND, La. – The Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association in cooperation with the LSU AgCenter has scheduled a certified nursery and landscape professional manual review and exam for February 23-24, 2016, at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(02/03/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter vegetable specialist Kathryn Fontenot has been named the recipient of the 2016 John E. Hutchinson Extension Award for Young Professionals from the Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science.

(02/03/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold a three-day workshop on April 20-22 to educate food processors about safety regulations and best practices for preventing contamination.

(02/02/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – 2015 was a challenge for many members of Louisiana’s diverse horticulture industry, which includes vegetable crops, fruit crops, pecans, sweet potatoes, sod farming, nursery crops, landscape contracting and retail garden centers, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings.

(Audio 01/25/16) Around this time you should be thinking about cutting back your roses. Be sure to pay attention to the specific needs of the different kinds of roses in your landscape while pruning. Listen for more information on pruning roses during the cool season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/25/16) Roses are one of the few plants that are still sold bare root. If you want to buy bare-root roses, it's crucial that you plant them in January or February. Listen for more information on bare-root roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/25/16) It's a good idea to start working in your garden now to prepare your beds for spring fever. On a beautiful mild day, consider going outside and adding soil and organic matter to your beds. Listen for more information on bed preparation for spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/25/16) If you look around Louisiana, you will see plenty of beautiful camellias in bloom this month. Now is a great time to add some camellias to your landscape for vibrant flowers. Listen for more information on planting camellias this season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/25/16) Although it is common to propagate plants using stem cuttings, some plants can successfully be propagated using hardwood cuttings. Roses, figs, pears, and hydrangeas are just a few of these plants. Listen for more information on propagating plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(02/01/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Kids can decorate and make their own Valentine sugar cookie box and fill it with candy at What’s Cooking... @Burden on Feb. 13.

(02/01/16) AMITE, La. – The 2016 Camellia Garden Stroll at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will be held on Feb. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.

(Audio 01/18/16) In the wintertime, we only need to fertilize plants that are in active growth. Fertilizing plants that are dormant can compromise their resistance to cold damage. Listen for more information on fertilizing in the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/18/16) Although there are significantly fewer pests in vegetable gardens in the winter than in the summer, some pests still persist. Keep an eye out for pests and insects such as caterpillars, aphids, snails and slugs. Listen for more information on controlling pests in winter vegetable gardens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/18/16) Although mealybugs don't greatly affect outdoor plants, they can cause significant problems for indoor plants. They may be difficult to get rid of, but it can be done. Listen for more information on getting rid of mealybugs on indoor plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/18/16) Although unused fertilizers don't usually go bad if they sit in your shed for multiple years, they can become more difficult to use. Exposure to humidity can cause certain fertilizers to become clumpy but not impossible to work with. Listen for more information on fertilizers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/18/16) Now is a good time to do some pruning while most of your plants are dormant. While deciduous and summer-flowering trees aren't weighed down with leaves, remove low-hanging or dangerous branches. Listen for more information on pruning trees in winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/11/16) There are plenty of leafy vegetables and root crops that can be grown in January. Two of these vegetables, beets and Swiss chard, are very closely related. Listen for information on planting and growing beets and Swiss chard this winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(01/29/16) WEST MONROE, La. – Participants interested in gardening travelled from at least three states to attend the Sixth Annual Spring Ag Expo Gardening Seminar in West Monroe.

(02/26/16) Mention blooming wildflowers and most people think of country meadows and drives along rural roads. Wildflowers, however, are to be found everywhere – even along the interstates and in major metropolitan areas.

(02/19/16) Color is very important to us. We use it everywhere in our surroundings and on our bodies. We carefully consider which colors to combine and use in our interior decors. People take their time (sometimes too much) deciding on what colors they will wear for a day or even for a few hours. Yet, how many gardeners spend time to carefully consider and develop a color scheme for their flower beds and landscape?

(02/12/16) February weather often includes heavy and frequent rain, and this should remind us that Louisiana has a relatively wet climate. Periods of drought certainly do occur here, especially during the hot months of summer. But it is important for gardeners to realize that plant selection and the gardening techniques we use are largely influenced by the generous amount of annual rainfall we receive in Louisiana.

(02/05/16) Gardeners often wait until April or May to purchase blooming roses from nurseries and plant them. But planting earlier has advantages. If you’re thinking about adding roses to your garden, here is some advice that will help you get them off to a good start.

(01/29/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture are working with a Chinese university to set up a collaborative undergraduate degree program in agricultural economics and to expand exchange programs.

(Audio 01/11/16) If you'd like to grow tomato, eggplant, or pepper transplants from seeds, now is the time to start. Be sure to keep these plants away from the cold winter weather using a greenhouse or fluorescent lights. Listen for more information on growing transplants from seeds in the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/11/16) Although fall-planted parsley produces the best harvest, winter is still a good time to add parsley to your garden. In the cooler months it will grow slowly but will flourish during the spring. Listen for more information on growing parsley in the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 01/27/16) WEST MONROE, La. – With forestry being the largest agricultural crop in the state, keeping landowners, loggers and others aware of the market conditions was the goal of the forestry forum held at the West Monroe Convention Center.

(Audio 01/11/16) Louisiana gardeners sometimes overseed ryegrass in their lawns in the fall. This keeps lawns emerald green through the winter months while permanent grasses are dormant. Listen for information on caring for ryegrass during the winter months. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(01/27/16) HAMMOND, La. – Because rose growers and enthusiasts surveyed in Louisiana and Mississippi have been impressed with the great landscape performance of Cinco de Mayo, the Gulf District of the American Rose Society has named the variety as the 2016 Gulf District Rose of the Year.

(01/26/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service will present a series of workshops on producing commercial vegetables and cut flowers using high tunnels, or hoop houses, in several Louisiana locations in February and on March 1.

(01/26/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The presence of a top predator of other invertebrates in Louisiana’s coastal marshes may shed light on how the marshes are recovering from the effects of the BP oils spill in April 2010.

(01/25/16) OPELOUSAS, La. – Low grain prices are not expected to increase soon because of excess supply and lower demand, according to an LSU AgCenter economist who spoke with farmers at a wheat and feed grain meeting on Jan. 21.

(01/25/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Researchers in the LSU College of Agriculture’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising are using body scanning technology to study how body shapes change during weight loss.

(Distributed 01/22/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Guillermo Scaglia, a beef cattle researcher at the LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station in Jeanerette, and Stan Dutile, an LSU AgCenter extension agent in Lafayette Parish, each received the Merit Award from the American Forage and Grassland Council.

(Distributed 01/22/16) WEST MONROE, La. – The Best of Agriculture: Producing food and fiber…safely, efficiently and abundantly was the theme of this year’s Ag Expo held at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center on Jan. 15-16.

(Video 02/01/16) You might not think winter is a good time to visit a nursery; but think again. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill gives some reasons why now is a great time to visit your nurseries and select plants like trees and shrubs. (Runtime: 01:43)

(Video 01/25/16) Herbs can complete the taste of that tantalizing dish. Now is a great time to grow these delicious plants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to some of the more popular herbs. (Runtime: 01:48)

(Distributed 01/21/16) GONZALES, La. – Ralph Sellers Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM has signed on as corporate sponsor for the 2016 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show with a contribution of $25,000.

(Video 01/20/16) Flooding along the Mississippi River has led to the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway for the second time in five years. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story on how the opening affects the ecology of the outflow area. (Runtime: 01:47)

(Video 01/20/15) Dietary Guidelines for Americans serves as a source of nutrition advice, and these guidelines have recently been updated. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard talks with a registered dietician to see what these changes mean. (Runtime: 01:54)

(Distributed 01/20/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a seasonal children’s garden activity at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on Feb. 20.

(Distributed 01/19/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will conduct a volunteer orientation on Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Ione Burden Conference Center in the gardens.

(Distributed 01/19/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have recently released new dietary guidelines to help Americans eat healthier diets. Denise Holston-West, a registered dietitian with the LSU AgCenter, said the goal is for Americans to improve their overall eating patterns.

(Distributed 01/15/16) HAMMOND, La. – Loquat, frequently called Japanese plum, is an attractive small tree or shrub that is frequently planted in landscapes as an ornamental in Louisiana. The tree has large thick evergreen leaves with a moderate rate of growth and does well in most well-drained soils. It can be used as an edible landscape plant.

(Distributed 01/15/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Lawrence Datnoff has been named to receive the 2016 Alumni Award from the Virginia Tech University Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science. Datnoff is a professor and department head in the LSU AgCenter and LSU College of Agriculture Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology.

(Distributed 01/13/16) LAFAYETTE, La. – The newest graduates of the Louisiana Master Farmer Program were honored Jan. 12 during the annual convention of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts.

(Distributed 01/13/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will present the sixth annual Brush With Burden art exhibition on March 13-20.

(Distributed 01/13/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Two Louisiana 4-H’ers were recognized for their winning submissions in a grazing management essay contest sponsored by the Louisiana Forage and Grassland Council. The awards were presented during a luncheon on Jan. 11 at the American Forage and Grasslands Council annual conference.

*Distributed 01/13/16) OAK GROVE, La. – Although the 2015 sweet potato season was marked by difficult weather conditions – excessive rains that delayed planting followed by a hot and dry summer, then more rain that interfered with harvest – Louisiana growers still ended up with a good crop, LSU AgCenter experts said at a Louisiana Sweet Potato Association meeting on Jan. 12.

(Distributed 01/12/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Tiger Stadium is usually packed for Saturday night football games. But on Jan. 7, the club level of the stadium was filled with turfgrass professionals at the annual 2016 Louisiana Turfgrass Association conference.

(For Release On 01/08/16) The name “asparagus fern” is a strange jumble of terms. These plants are neither ferns nor edible vegetables. Although not even distantly related to ferns, asparagus ferns are, however, actually closely related to edible asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). Asparagus ferns are versatile, reliable, easy to grow and useful in a variety of gardening situations.

(For Release On 01/15/16) The third Friday in January is Arbor Day in Louisiana – a day we set aside to appreciate trees and plant them. That’s Jan. 15 this year. If you are thinking about adding some trees to your landscape, planting should ideally be done now through early March when temperatures are cool and plants will have a chance to make root growth before the weather gets hot.

(For Release On 01/22/16) I often encourage gardeners to do a good job of keeping gardening records – although I must admit I could do a better job myself. Why? Because, keeping good records can help make you a better, more successful gardener.

(For Release On 01/01/16) The relatively mild winters we have here in Louisiana allow us to grow a variety of tender tropical plants in our landscapes. They will often survive typical winters around the state, although south Louisiana gardeners have more successes, particularly if plants are provided some protection.

(For Release On 01/29/16) It would be hard to dispute that the most popular summer-flowering shrub is the rose. Most roses need at least some annual pruning to maintain an attractive shape, remove dead wood and encourage vigorous growth and blooming.

(Audio 1/4/16) Although the cold weather in January limits which vegetables we can grow, there are plenty of hardy vegetables that will flourish in your garden this month. Try direct seeding root crops such as radish, turnips, carrots, parsnips and rutabagas or leafy vegetables. Listen for more information on growing winter vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 1/4/16) Many of our cool-season bedding plants such as pansies and dianthus are blooming now. Try dead heading for continuous blooms and be sure to keep up with your weeding, watering and fertilizing. Listen for more information on winter plant care. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 1/4/16) Louisiana gardeners often have a hard time growing attractive foxgloves, delphiniums, and hollyhocks because they plant them too late. Grab these plants from your local nursery now to try early planting. Listen for more information on adding these flowers to your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 1/4/16) Although winter lawns are low maintenance compared to summer lawns, they still require some care. If you spot weeds in your lawn, you can easily remove them using weed killers. Listen for more information on winter lawn care. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 01/11/16) Not all soils are created equally. Some are better for growing particular plants; some are worse. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains steps you can take to check and improve your soil composition — a step that can be crucial to proper plant growth. (Runtime: 01:35)

(Video 01/18/16) Flowers don’t have to live in the ground to enhance a landscape. Hanging baskets can create a whole new effect in the right environment. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains some ways to care for your hanging basket plants and increase curbside or backyard appeal. (Runtime: 01:50)

(Audio 01/04/16) Because spring flowers such as hyacinths and tulips are accustomed to colder climates, we must take special care of their bulbs. Wait until early January when the weather is cold enough to plant these bulbs in the ground. Listen for more information on planting spring flowering bulbs this winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 01/05/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Food Incubator will offer training Feb. 18 and 19 for food industry professionals interested in learning about good manufacturing practices.

(Distributed 01/05/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – As the threat of river flooding heads to Louisiana, now is the time for homeowners to plan and prepare, said LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel.

(Distributed 01/07/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden is postponing Arbor Day activities set for Jan. 16.

(Distributed 01/06/16) WEST MONROE, La. – The Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners 6th Annual Gardening Seminar will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center on Jan. 16.

(Distributed 01/07/16) CROWLEY, La. – Rice farmers attending the first three of a series of LSU AgCenter producer meetings came away with reasons for optimism this year, with the start of planting season only two months away.

(Distributed 01/08/16) LAFAYETTE, La. – The Gulf District of the American Rose Society and the LSU AgCenter will present a midwinter workshop on rose care Feb. 12-13 at the Ramada Inn Conference Center and Hotel in Lafayette, Louisiana.

(Distributed 01/11/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Food Incubator will host four seminars in February and March to help educate food entrepreneurs and other industry professionals about business strategies and regulations.

(Distributed 01/11/16) BREAUX BRIDGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a meeting for rice and soybean farmers on Feb. 25 at the St. Martin Parish Extension Office. The session will begin at 5 p.m. and topics will include new rice varieties, rice and soybean weed control, fertility, soybean disease and insect control, and soybean agronomics.

(Distributed 01/11/16) OPELOUSAS, La. – A meeting will be held by the LSU AgCenter for wheat and feed grain producers on Jan. 21 at the Yambilee building. The session starts with registration at 7:30 a.m.

(Distributed 01/12/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Hundreds of youth from across Louisiana will be gathering in Gonzales next month for the 81st annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.

(Video 01/06/16) This year’s sugarcane grinding season is finally wrapping up. This season will be remembered for its dry, fast start with high sugar recovery levels that eventually turned into a wet, muddy finish with lower sugar recovered. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:42)