(Distributed June 2006) Organic mulches can help keep your vegetables producing during Louisiana’s hot summer months. Although mulch is usually applied to control weeds and conserve moisture, it has several other useful functions, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed June 2006) Our sports fields are made up of Bermuda grasses. These grasses may be hybrids, improved seeded selections or just common Bermuda grass. But they all need to begin serious growth in June, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed June 2006) Having a good lawn in a tree-shaded landscape is a challenge since all of the warm-season turfgrasses were developed to grow best in full sun, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed June 2006) June is a pivotal time for Louisiana vegetable gardens. It’s the transition from spring to hot summer conditions. At this time many crops are fully in harvest or have been pulled out to make room for new crops.

(Distributed June 2006) Hedge trimmers may not be as popular now as a few years ago because more people now realize that it’s healthier for plants to be selectively pruned rather than sheared.

(Distributed June 2006) Most garden tools have fixed handles that may be made of wood, fiberglass or metal. But an LSU AgCenter engineer says some tools now are available with separate handle and toolhead components that can be interchanged as desired.

(Distributed June 2006) Biting is a common behavior for children who are one year to two years old – particularly children in group care.

(Distributed June 2006) Spring is full of gift-giving opportunities, but the kinds of gifts have changed for many people.

(Distributed June 2006) Parental involvement is a key to children’s success in school, and LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe says there are a variety of ways you can become involved.

(Distributed June 2006) Celebrate June Dairy Month by consuming nutrient-rich dairy foods, advises LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Milk, cheese and yogurt, for example, may help you better manage your weight and reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers.

(Distributed June 2006) Keeping food safe at picnics or while eating outdoors poses special problems. The challenge of keeping hands and utensils clean is greater when preparing and eating food outdoors and away from the kitchen.

(Distributed June 2006) The baseball season invokes the familiar clichés, "America's favorite pastime" and "all-American as mom and apple pie." But is there more to the sport than recreation? asks LSU AgCenter 4-H youth volunteer expert Dr. Janet Fox.

(Distributed June 2006) In the summer months it is highly important to consider the water consumption of your horse. "Water is the most essential nutrient that we provide in a horse’s diet," says LSU AgCenter horse specialist Dr. Clint Depew.

(Distributed June 2006) The Dietary Guidelines for Americans strongly emphasize the importance of physical activity to promote health, psychological well-being and a healthy body weight. To reduce chronic disease risk in adulthood, the guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual physical activity, most days of the week.

(Distributed June 2006) The health benefits of blueberries have made the news in recent years. Some of the reported benefits of eating blueberries include improved vision, clearing arteries, strengthening blood vessels, enhanced memory, stopping urinary tract infections and reversing age-related physical and mental declines.

(Distributed June 2006) Small diesel tractors with less than 40 horsepower are very popular with homeowners with small acreages as well as with grounds maintenance contractors and small farmers.

(Distributed June 2006) Communicating with your children’s teachers may be one of the most important parts of parental involvement – a major key to a child’s educational success, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed June 2006) Father’s Day is a good time to focus on men’s health, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Although many people think of osteoporosis as a woman’s disease, it is also a serious health problem for men. Losing height or breaking a bone may be the first sign of osteoporosis.

(Distributed June 2006) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently advised consumers that cooking raw poultry to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees will eliminate pathogens and viruses. Past food safety guidelines recommended higher temperatures for some poultry products.

(Distributed June 2006) Peaches are a wonderful Louisiana treat. Fresh Louisiana peaches are available from mid-May to early August, with the peak season from mid-June until mid-July. The national peak period is July through August.

(Distributed June 2006) In societies that consume soy products, the populations have a lower incidence of osteoporosis. The soy components thought to be responsible for this are the isoflavones genistein and daidzein.

(Distributed June 2006) Cardiovascular disease is a common chronic disease and the leading cause of death in the United States, although the rates have declined in the past 25 years.

(Distributed 06/28/06) Drinking enough fluids is important during our hot summer weather – especially for senior citizens, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/19/06) Temper tantrums aren’t uncommon in young children. The key for adults is learning how to deal with them, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed 06/16/06) Labor laws sometimes are confusing, and there’s no exception in the case of those for operating child-care centers, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed June 2006) State 4-H officers and leaders helped teach leadership skills to their peers during the Annual Leadership Conference at the Grant Walker 4-H Education Center, March 24-26.

(Distributed 06/26/06) One part of a safe and happy 4th of July celebration is ensuring your food is safe to eat, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/28/06) Drinking enough fluids is important during our hot summer weather – especially for senior citizens, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/26/06) One part of a safe and happy 4th of July celebration is ensuring your food is safe to eat, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/19/06) Temper tantrums aren’t uncommon in young children. The key for adults is learning how to deal with them, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

(Distributed 06/16/06) Labor laws sometimes are confusing, and there’s no exception in the case of those for operating child-care centers, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.