(Video 05/11/09) Knock Out roses look beautiful in landscapes this time of year. But they can grow very large, and faded flowers can cause them to lose some of their attractiveness. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill shows you one way to help your Knock Outs remain a knockout. (Runtime: 1 minute, 48 seconds)

(TV News 05/18/09) Roses shine in the home landscape, and busy gardeners have more choices when planting roses – from high-maintenance traditional roses to easy-care shrub roses. (Runtime: 1 minute, 37 seconds)

(Distributed 05/29/09) The most popular summer-blooming tree in Louisiana is the crape myrtle with its lovely, long-lasting flowers. Crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June and continue flowering for 80 to100 days depending on the variety.

(Distributed 05/29/09) Regularly checking the trees in your yard for damage, disease and other indications of danger is important, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter. They say the beginning of hurricane season can serve as a good reminder to do it now.

(Distributed 05/21/09) Daylilies are one of the most popular flowering plants for late spring and early summer in Louisiana. Gardening shoppers always want daylily information.

(Distributed 05/15/09) As we approach the hot summer months, proper irrigation becomes especially important in landscapes. Irrigate when necessary and do so efficiently. Surprisingly, many plants are over-watered rather than under-watered.

(Distributed 05/08/09) Summer is rapidly approaching, the time when our evergreen azaleas often have difficulty dealing with our heat and humidity.

(TV News 05/25/09) Farmers are harvesting their wheat crops, and the condition of what they're harvesting in Louisiana is mixed. A wet March and April affected it. Before that, conditions were dry and that also hindered growth of the wheat, according to LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell. (Runtime: 1 minute, 15 seconds)

(TV News 05/22/09) One of the easiest ways to avoid a potential illness is quite simple – wash your hands appropriately. Hands are the most common way to spread germs because they can be warm and moist and come in contact with many surfaces. To get the best benefit from a trip to the sink, you have to wash your hands correctly. (Runtime: 40 seconds)

(TV News 05/11/09) Many farmers are wrapping up planting of their cotton crops. Cotton acreage in Louisiana has dwindled over the past few years, and acreage will drop again this year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 37 seconds)

(Radio News 05/04/09) Maintaining your air conditioner can save you money and help your health in the long run. LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel says changing the filter regularly can increase airflow into the system and prevent dirt from building up. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/04/09) Insects pose problems for farmers, and a relatively new pest is proving to be a big problem for soybean growers. LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. Ronnie Levy says the red-banded stink bug has been showing up in soybean fields in recent years. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/04/09) Infants have basic physical needs to eat and sleep, but beyond that, babies and children need to be nurtured. LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Becky White says being a nurturer is the most important role for parents. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/04/09) In order to be successful parents, individuals shouldn’t neglect themselves. LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Becky White says parenting is especially challenging in today’s society and that parents need to take breaks to care for themselves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/04/09) The value of wheat residue was an important topic at the LSU AgCenter’s Wheat and Oat Field Day in Winnsboro. LSU AgCenter researcher Dr. Don Boquet explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/11/09) Agriculture contributed nearly $10 billion to the state’s economy in 2008. The LSU AgCenter recently released its 2008 Louisiana Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. John Westra said slightly more than half of the $9.5 billion came from the farm-gate values. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/11/09) The continuing decline in the state's cotton acreage is bad news for rural Louisiana’s economy. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dr. Don Boquet says producing cotton requires many inputs, which help support local businesses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/11/09) This year’s Louisiana cotton crop will be the smallest the state has seen since the 1800s. Louisiana farmers will plant around 240,000 acres of cotton – nearly 60,000 fewer acres than last year. Despite the small crop, however, LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dr. Don Boquet still says he expects it to be a good crop. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/18/09) The LSU AgCenter leadership program is accepting applications for its 12th class. Dr. Bobby Soileau, the program's director, says a goal of the program is to provide participants with the tools to become effective voices for agriculture. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/11/09) Mother’s Day kicked off National Women’s Health Week. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says the week emphasizes the need for women to get adequate exercise and eat a healthful diet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/11/09) Although many are calling the latest outbreak, "swine flu," the disease is not transmitted by eating pork products, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. She says eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/18/09) Farmers have new options when planting cotton. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dr. Don Boquet says new seed technology helps control pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/18/09) High blood pressure doesn’t always have symptoms, so many people may have it without even knowing it. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Simple lifestyle changes can control high blood pressure, she points out. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/18/09) Roses are enjoying a renewed popularity among gardeners, and low-maintenance shrub roses are a big reason for the increased interest, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/18/09) More than 1,500 plants grace the All-America Rose Selections garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Research Station in Baton Rouge. And AgCenter horticulturist reports the garden recently won an Outstanding Rose Garden Maintenance Award from All-America Rose Selections. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/25/09) The disease rust is showing up in a popular sugarcane variety. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says rust also has been a problem for growers in the past. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/25/09) One of the easiest ways to avoid a potential illness is quite simple – wash your hands appropriately. Hands are the most common way to spread germs because they are warm and moist and come in contact with many surfaces. LSU AgCenter family development associate Emily Braud says proper hand washing is especially important for children. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/25/09) Farmers are harvesting their wheat crops, and the conditions of what they're harvesting are mixed. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell says conditions were dry in January and February and that hindered the growth of the wheat. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/25/09) Hessian flies have been a problem in some wheat fields in recent years. These flies are small insects that feed on wheat seedlings and leave behind a toxin that can make a plant develop poorly. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/25/09) Hurricanes Gustav and Ike delayed last year’s sugarcane planting. As a result, 60 percent of the crop was planted in September and October. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says this hurt the crop.

(Video 05/04/09) Among spring’s trademarks are the vivid and varied shades of green you’ll see in many landscapes. On this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to some plants that keep their dynamic, springtime greens well into the summer. (Runtime: 1 minute, 50 seconds)

(Video 05/18/09) The baldcypress tree is readily identified with swamps, but it’s also a species that has become popular as a landscape tree. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why a cypress is a good tree to plant. (Runtime: 1 minute, 31 seconds)

(Video 05/25/09) If you’re having insect problems on your plants, you may want to consider an alternative to insecticides. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how predatory insects like ladybugs can kill pests just as effectively. (Runtime: 1 minute, 44 seconds)

(Audio 05/04/09) Most vegetables perform better when planted during the milder parts of the year. But some heat-tolerant vegetables will do fine growing throughout the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/04/09) As summer heat begins to arrive in May, some of your herbs may begin to languish. To get the most from your plants, harvest these herbs and dry them for later use. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/04/09) Use caladiums if you want reliable plants that have unmatched growth in shaded areas of your landscape. Their colorful foliage can brighten up darker spots in your yard. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/04/09) Many people believe that green bell peppers and red bell peppers come from different plants, but they are the same. If you leave your green bell peppers on the plant longer, they will turn red. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/04/09) Many houseplants are tropical plants that don't tolerate cold weather very well, but when May comes around, these plants will flourish outdoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/11/09) The permanent lawn grasses we use in Louisiana are all warm-season grasses. They grow and thrive in the summer heat. If you are planting a lawn, consider solid sodding. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/11/09) When establishing a lawn from sod, it is important to properly take care of the sod. Watering is critical to help the grass develop strong roots. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/11/09) Tomatoes are a popular home vegetable, but they do have their share of problems. A common disease on tomatoes is buckeye rot. It hits the mature fruit on the bottom of the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/11/09) For the most part, Louisiana gardeners should plant trees during our cooler winter season. But there is at least one exception. Palm trees do best when planted during the hot summer months. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/11/09) Hydrangeas and gardenias are popular flowering shrubs in Louisiana landscapes. Their flowers bloom this time of the year. You can prune these shrubs after they finish blooming. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/18/09) Newly planted trees will need watering to help them survive their first summer in the ground. A great way to water a tree is with a 5-gallon bucket with holes at the bottom. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/18/09) Blackberry plants are productive in May. After you harvest berries, you have to be careful when pruning -- and not just because of the thorns on the plant. Don't cut back the canes that didn't produce any fruit. Those will produce fruit next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/18/09) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of warm-season plants to provide color to our summer landscapes. Gardeners should prepare beds properly before putting in new plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/18/09) Louisiana gardeners can use a number of annual flowering vines. A great one to grow is the hyacinth bean. It produces wonderful lavender flowers in the summer and through the fall. It also has attractive foliage and seed pods. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/18/09) Spanish moss does not hurt trees. It's not a parasite and it won't take nutrients from the tree. It lives on the tree but gets water and minerals from rain water. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/25/09) If you grow roses in Louisiana, you are familiar with the disease black spot. It attacks the foliage of the plants. Since some of the roses we grow are susceptible to the disease, regular control measures are needed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/25/09) Gardeners use a variety of bulb plants in their landscapes. Many summer-flowering bulbs used in Louisiana are tropical plants that thrive in the heat. You can find a variety of plants available for many different situations. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/25/09) Growing plants in containers makes plants portable and gives you the opportunity to enjoy them where they couldn't be grown otherwise. The containers can become dirty over time, and gardeners will need to clean them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/25/09) Cooked greens are a traditional part of Louisiana cuisine. But many of these greens will not grow during our summer months. Swiss chard will grow into June, however, and a few of the best summer greens are Malabar spinach and New Zealand spinach. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/25/09) Louisiana gardeners are lucky to be able to grow crape myrtles, but aphids can be a nuisance on these small trees. To control the pests, treat the trees with insecticides in late May or early June. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/30/09) LSU AgCenter 4-H will seek for the first time this year a school in Louisiana with outstanding character education practices to submit for national recognition through the Character Education Partnership, a youth advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

(Distributed 05/29/09) A team of nine LSU AgCenter educators recently won top honors for their home-buyer education program at the Louisiana Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences annual meeting.

(Distributed 05/29/09) Eating only 1 teaspoon of salt a day is a challenge for many Americans. This is the amount recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

(Distributed 05/28/09) FENTON, La. – Rice growers heard advice from a range of LSU AgCenter experts Tuesday (May 26) during the southwest rice field day.

(Distributed 05/27/09) Having an “evacuation box” packed and ready to go with important papers and other items can prevent financial disasters and hardships if a serious storm comes your way, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says there often isn’t time to gather up such items when you’re rushing to evacuate, so she recommends packing them up now and refreshing them as needed.

(Distributed 05/28/09) Food is a necessity for life, and as a result, a three-day emergency food supply is something you hear a lot about when hurricane season approaches. But just what is a three-day emergency food supply? LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety specialist Dr. Beth Reames says it involves more than just the food.

(Distributed 05/27/09) The LSU AgCenter will offer a course on “Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners” June 2-3 at its Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center.

(Distributed 05/26/09) During a hurricane, you need some supplies just to survive. But many of those supplies are hard to find if you wait until a storm is approaching. So it’s better to make sure you’ve got some of the essentials now, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/26/09) The LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station will hold a field day June 18 at the station in Bossier City.

(Distributed 05/26/09) The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station will hold its annual landscape horticulture field day for industry professionals on June 25.

(Distributed 05/26/09) For the past five years, the LSU AgCenter has hosted the annual statewide Livestock Show at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. But because the status of this facility has been unknown, the location for 2010 show, to which nearly 3,000 4-H and FFA members bring their award-winning animals to compete for the best-of-the-best, has been up in the air.

(Distributed 05/25/09) KENNER, La. – Although he may be known to the culinary world as a leading New Orleans chef, John Besh also is a leading proponent of serving locally grown foods in his four restaurants. “Our restaurants spend $8 million to $9 million a year on groceries,” Besh told participants at the Louisiana Master Gardeners’ state conference here May 21.

(Distributed 05/25/09) Are you ready for a hurricane? LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel offers a 20-question quiz to help you determine just how prepared you are.

(Distributed 05/25/09) The LSU AgCenter Pecan Research-Extension Station in Shreveport will not be affected by the alignment of Interstate 69 in southern Caddo Parish after all, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).

(Distributed 05/21/09) Every year, new shrub varieties are introduced for landscape use. At the same time, some varieties debuted in prior years are new in that they’re just catching on.

(Distributed 05/21/09) Do-it-yourself homebuilders in Louisiana have recently encountered problems with local parish building inspectors when attempting to get their structures approved if the house was built with lumber missing a grade stamp.

(Distributed 05/20/09) A Louisiana 4-H Centennial scavenger hunt has been a success at finding memorabilia and artifacts to be used in the new Louisiana 4-H Museum, according to museum officials.

(Distributed 05/20/09) MAMOU, La. – Two new long-grain rice varieties could be released by the LSU AgCenter this year if they continue to show solid results, according to Dr. Steve Linscombe, LSU AgCenter rice breeder.

(Distributed 05/19/09) The LSU AgCenter’s annual Northeast Research Station field day will be held June 17 at the station in St. Joseph.

(Distributed 05/19/09) BOSSIER CITY, La. – The stormwater that runs off lawns, streets and driveways contains dirt, motor oil, fertilizers and pesticides that will eventually end up in the nation’s waterways, an LSU AgCenter environmental scientist said at the Lunch and Ag Discovery program May 14 at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station.

(Distributed 05/18/09) The LSU AgCenter will open its Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center June 13 for a daylong series of educational programs designed to help you and your family prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Dubbed “Hurricanes, Homes and Yards,” the program will be conducted from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Louisiana House on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/18/09) A workshop for economic development professionals, elected officials and community leaders will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 10 at the LSU AgCenter’s Scott Research and Extension Center in Winnsboro.

(Distributed 05/18/09) With what some are calling “swine flu” being a major topic of conversation in many circles and in the news, it’s a good idea to reassure your children you’re going to keep them as safe as possible. Officially known as H1N1, this flu outbreak has captured attention across the country and could result in children being fearful about it, LSU AgCenter family life and child development specialists say.

(Distributed 05/18/09) FENTON, La. – The LSU AgCenter announced its 2009 Southwest Rice Tour will be held May 26.

(Distributed 05/15/09) A Management Intensive Grazing Workshop will be held at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center on May 27 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The workshop will include visits to two farms where management intensive grazing is practiced, according to Emily Neustrom, assistant with Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) at the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/15/09) Joe and Diane Beatty of Heflin, La., recently donated $25,000 to the Louisiana 4-H Foundation to create an endowed scholarship for 4-H’ers from Webster and Bienville parishes.

(Distributed 05/14/09) Paul Coreil, vice chancellor of the LSU AgCenter, and Marybeth Lima, professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, received the 2009 top awards from the LSU Kiwanis Club.

(Distributed 05/11/09) CAMERON, La. – Newly built-to-code houses that have already survived one hurricane will be featured in this year’s Cameron Parish Tour of Hurricane-resistant Homes.

(Distributed 05/14/09) Older adults and those who care for them should take precautions to guard against the flu, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Reasonable precautions will not only help to prevent the spread of the flu but may also save lives in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, she stresses.

(Distributed 05/13/09) LSU AgCenter Assistant Vice Chancellor David Morrison recently received the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors Excellence in Leadership Award.

(Distributed 05/12/09) MAMOU, La. – Rice farmers can get the latest information on new varieties and agronomic practices at the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Day being held May 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The LSU AgCenter-sponsored event will be held at the farm of Kody and Larry Bieber, one mile west of La. Highway 13 on Bieber Road.

(Distributed 05/11/09) POLLOCK, La. – Twenty children and their military families participated in an overnight camp at the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center April 25-26 as part of an Operation: Military Kids program.

(Distributed 05/11/09) HOMER, La. – About 200 fifth- and sixth-graders from six Claiborne Parish schools learned about water conservation and water quality at Lake Claiborne State Park east of Homer May 7-8.

(Distributed 05/11/09) BATON ROUGE – The LSU AgCenter will conduct a short course for landscape management professionals June 16-17 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/07/09) CLINTON, La. – White-tailed deer were the focus of a wildlife field day May 2 at the LSU AgCenter’s Bob R. Jones Idlewild Research Station.

(Distributed 05/07/09) BATON ROUGE, La. – Due to demand, the LSU AgCenter is hosting a second two-day advanced workshop on how to make your own biodiesel fuel from used vegetable oil on June 2-3 at the Callegari Environmental Center. “Like the one in April, this is an advanced workshop and different from the workshops we offered in 2008,” said Bill Carney, LSU AgCenter environmental educator.

(Distributed 05/05/09) The LSU AgCenter will host the third Louisiana Natural Resources Symposium July 16-17, 2009, at the Lod Cook Conference Center and Hotel on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/05/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – The LSU AgCenter can help people with managing their ponds, Dr. Greg Lutz, an AgCenter aquaculture specialists, said April 27 at the AgCenter’s Red River Research Station.

(Distributed 05/01/09) Rice farmers are welcoming warmer, drier weather to help their young crop, but they would like to see relief from the wind, too.

The LSU AgCenter’s Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Unit, together with Calcasieu and Cameron parish officials, will present a free Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 at Grand Lake School.

(Distributed 05/01/09) May is high blood pressure awareness month. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says high blood pressure or hypertension is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms.

(Distributed 05/01/09) The All-America Rose Selections garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge recently was recognized with an "Outstanding Rose Garden Maintenance Award" for 2009, according to AgCenter officials.

(Distributed 05/01/09) Mother’s Day launches the 10th annual National Women's Health Week to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases.

(For Release On Or After 05/29/09) Winters have been relatively mild in Louisiana over the past few years, and I see lots of palms being planted around the state. They add a wonderful tropical look to the landscape.

(For Release On Or After 05/22/09) Grown and used in cuisines around the world, basil also is indispensable to Louisiana cooks. Besides having extraordinary taste, basil is really attractive and easy to grow.

(For Release On Or After 05/15/09) You may sometimes read or hear information about planting certain plants around other types of plants to prevent insect problems. This is commonly called companion planting. Generally, research does not substantiate the claims of companion planting.

(For Release On Or After 05/08/09) Most years I get a few questions asking why purple martins failed to take up residence in a birdhouse provided for them.

(For Release On Or After 05/01/09) Many gardeners suffer from pollen allergies and are prone to sneezing, runny noses, watering eyes and sinus pressure headaches while working outside when pollen counts are high.