(Video 03/02/09) If you’re looking for a great plant for a shady area where you maybe need a small patch of ground cover, ajuga is a delightful choice. Ajuga is a lovely plant. It’s spreading, low-growing and well-behaved in the landscape. (Runtime: 1 minute, 38 seconds)

(Video 03/09/09) When you head out to the nurseries this spring, looking for azaleas for your landscape, you must keep in mind there are many different kinds of azaleas, and they mature at different sizes. (Runtime: 1 minute, 34 seconds)

(Video 03/16/09) When planting shrubs into the landscape, Louisiana gardeners often are looking for shrubs that are tough, reliable, insect and disease resistant and relatively low maintenance. The Indian hawthorn certainly has all of those attributes. (Runtime: 1 minute, 48 seconds)

(Video 03/23/09) Beautiful spring colors and fragrances are in the air. While you might think the flowery show this time of year comes only from plants planted during the spring, that’s not the case. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to some pretty spring flowers that actually were planted in the fall. (Runtime: 1 minute, 40 seconds)

(Video 03/30/09) As the weather warms up we spend more time outside in our outdoor living areas like porches, decks and patios. We use plants in beautiful containers to embellish these spaces. (Runtime: 1 minute, 45 seconds)

(Audio 03/02/09) As the weather gets milder, we can begin planting warm-season vegetables. Freezes are still possible in the month of March, but early planting has some advantages. You can get better quality production and fewer insect problems. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/02/09) Ground covers are wonderful plants that we use in very large areas of our landscape. They usually are low-growing evergreens. Even evergreen ground covers can have old, unattractive growth. March is a good time to prune your ground covers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/02/09) Now is an excellent time to purchase rose bushes from your local nursery and to plant them. By planting early in March, the rose plants will be in better shape in April, May and June. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/02/09) The buck moth caterpillar feeds on leaves of oak trees and delivers a painful sting. These caterpillars can be abundant in the spring. Spraying can help eliminate an infestation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/02/09) Spring-flowering bulbs begin putting on a vivid display in March. So this is a good time to keep records. Walk through your garden and take notes on the color and size of plants, when they bloom and how well they work in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/09) The hydrangea is a popular summer-flowering shrub for shady areas. It is important to remember that these flowers set their buds a year ahead. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/09) We love perennials because they come back year after year. When you fertilize your perennials, you can use a variety of different fertilizers such as granular or slow-release fertilizers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/09) Orchids are wonderful flowering plants that are different from many other houseplants.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/09) Mild weather moves in during the month of March, and we can expect lavish displays of color from our cool-season plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/09) As the weather warms up, weeds, insects and diseases become far more common in our landscapes. It is important to remember that pesticides are just one option for control. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/09) Many landscapes include small decorative ponds or aquatic features. This is a great time to clean ponds, because the foliage and fish in them are not very active. Choose a mild day to get this done. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/09) If you need to prune sumer-flowering shrubs, do it in March or early April. Have a plan before pruning, and do not prune if the tree or shrub doesn't need it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/16/09) In March, we begin to see green colors returning to our lawns. If you see weeds in your lawn during this time, it is best to just mow them back rather than apply a pesticide while your grasses are reawakening and starting to grow. (Runtime: 60 secondS)

(Audio 03/16/09) Interest in growing herbs has been rising in recent years. Louisiana gardeners can plant herbs in herb gardens or containers or in beds among existing plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/09) The gladiola produces beautiful flowers in late spring or early summer. You can plant the bulbs from February through March. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/09) By March most of our roses should be growing vigorously, and this is a great time to fertilize them. You can use an all-purpose or a slow-release fertilizer. Also, now is a good time to spray for black spot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/09) Check your local nurseries for flowering perennial plants. You can find these plants in gallon-size containers, which are good for planting this time of year. These plants will live for many years, and that gives them an advantage over annuals. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/09) Having issues with lawn mushrooms? Unfortunately, there is not a lot you can do to prevent them. But if you have pets or small children, it is best to gather and dispose of the bothersome mushrooms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/23/09) The redbud is an outstanding, small, spring-flowering tree. Its tiny red flowers can really brighten up a landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/09) Spring-flowering shrubs beautify Louisiana landscapes in February and April. When these shrubs finish blooming, prune them if they need it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/09) In spring, many gardening organizations, businesses and others have events such as garden shows, plant sales and educational oppportunities. Take advantage of these events to find the latest local gardening information. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/09) Gardeners can plant a wide variety of vegetables in April. Tomatoes, the most popular home vegetable, can be planted in April, and many others can be seeded or transplanted this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/09) Spider mites are difficult to see with the naked eye. Gardeners must look over their plants carefully if they suspect a problem. These insects damage the foliage of plants -- but they can be controlled. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/09) Sap suckers are a group of birds that peck holes in trees. These birds feed on the sap and insects that collect near these holes. The damage they cause tends to look worse than it really is. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/09/09) Gardeners can plant a variety of vegetables in March. A few vegetables such as eggplant, okra and sweet potatoes are are sensitive to chilly temperatures, and gardeners should wait to until April to plant these crops. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 03/06/09) Late January through early March is an appropriate time to prune most summer-flowering trees and shrubs. Especially in the case of trees, pruning generally should be done to enhance their natural shape while correcting any problems.

(For Release On Or After 03/13/09) Visions of delicious home-grown vegetables can become a reality with a little planning and some work.

(For Release On Or After 03/20/09) Louisiana gardeners can begin to plant spring and early-summer vegetables this month. You can plant after the last freeze date in your area, but be prepared to cover or protect tender plants in case of an unusually late freeze.

(For Release On Or After 03/27/09) As we move into April, we can enjoy the peak blooming season of our cool-season annuals. But it’s not too early to begin to plan our summer gardens.