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Pre-emergence herbicides can prevent weeds
Herbicide

(Video 8/31/09) Keeping weeds out of your garden by hand during the summer is tough, but effective. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explores when to use the option of herbicides to help you control or prevent weeds. (Runtime: 1:40)

Gingers and cannas bloom beautifully in the summer
(Audio 08/31/09) Gingers and cannas are wonderful plants that add a tropical look to our landscapes. These two plants grow similarly, and when they finish blooming, you can cut them back. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Cuttings make new plants
(Audio 08/31/09) Late summer is a great time to take cuttings from plants in your landscape. The cuttings can be rooted and used to propagate plants for other areas in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Evaluate your landscape during stressful period
(Audio 08/31/09) July, August and September are the most stressful months for plants in our landscapes. This hot time defines what we can grow in our yards and is a great time to evaluate your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

August signals last chance to fertilize lawns
(Audio 08/31/09) Fertilizing lawn grasses encourages optimal growth, but August is the last month to apply fertilizer. We want our grasses to slow down during the fall and get ready for winter. Fertilizing too late will make the grass less hardy. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Gardeners must protect themselves from mosquitoes
(Audio 08/31/09) Mosquitoes are a concern for gardeners. During the summer, gardeners tend to work outside more in the early morning or late evening hours -- because it is cooler then. But those times also are when mosquitoes are most active. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Heat stress can affect new plants
(Audio 08/24/09) When temperatures soar in August, heat stress can be an issue for gardeners and for plants. This is not a good time to plant new trees or shrubs to your landscape. New plants are vulnerable, so wait until the weather cools to add trees or shrubs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Get roses in shape for fall blooming season
(Audio 08/24/09) Louisiana has a long growing season, and gardeners can look forward to a great rose blooming season in October and November. In the meantime, these flowers may need care before they bloom. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Try ajuga in shady areas
(Audio 08/24/09) Ajuga is a favorite plant for ground cover in Louisiana. These plants have attractive foliage -- often in shades of purple. It also is wonderful in shady areas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Fish balance an aquatic garden
(Audio 08/24/09) Fish are a wonderful addition to aquatic ponds. They are part of the natural ecosystem of a pond. As an example of one benefit, fish will eat mosquito larvae in the garden. But LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill warns koi may be too destructive in a water garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Tropical palms can grow in any area of the state
(Audio 08/24/09) Although palms are considered tropical plants, we can grow them across the state -- even in north Louisiana. These plants are easy to care for and only need to be groomed occasionally. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Ajuga covers shady areas
Ajuga
(Video 08/24/09) Looking for an attractive ground cover for parts of your summer landscape? Then you might be interested in ajuga – a purple plant you can grow in shaded or semi-shaded areas. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to various types of ajuga, which is also known as bugleweed. (Runtime: 1:39)
Ferns are fond of shady areas
(Video 08/17/09) As August temperatures soar gardeners should not be ashamed to retreat to the shade. In fact, on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill encourages you to work in the shade – planting shade-loving ferns. (Runtime: 1:47)
Stay in the shade with ferns
(Audio 08/17/09) This is a great time of the year to work with ferns. Ferns grow in shady areas, and that allows you the opportunity to garden in the shade. You can evaluate fern plants and do some grooming. (Runtime: 60 seconds)