News Release Distributed 12/09/2010
The LSU AgCenter’s Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar can be a great holiday gift for gardeners, aspiring gardeners or even those who just like beautiful photos of plants, flowers and garden scenes.
The 2011 edition of the calendar is on sale now and provides a variety of helpful information tailored to Louisiana gardeners who want to have the latest tips for success. Now in its seventh year of publication, the calendar features advice and photos tailored to Louisiana’s climate and growing conditions.
“The calendar has become a perennial favorite and a hot holiday gift item for Louisiana gardeners and others,” said Elma Sue McCallum, assistant director of LSU AgCenter Communications, who oversees the project.
The 2011 calendar is a full-color, 32-page publication. It features a special section on figs, a Louisiana Hardiness Zone Map, an illustrated guide to deadheading roses and information on Louisiana Super Plants, as well as monthly gardening tips and photos.
Its gardening tips were written by LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill, who is known across the region for his expertise on Louisiana gardening and is the author of Month-by-Month Gardening in Louisiana and co-author of the Louisiana Gardener’s Guide.
“We think the calendar will inspire experienced and novice gardeners alike and that it provides a special look at the rewards of gardening as a leisure activity,” McCallum said. “Dan Gill’s gardening tips are easy to understand, and the other information is written with Louisiana gardens and gardeners in mind. The Louisiana Super Plants section highlights tough, beautiful plants that perform well in Louisiana landscapes.”
The calendar is part of the LSU AgCenter’s Get It Growing educational initiative, which is intended to help gardening enthusiasts and others learn how to make the most of their lawns and gardens.
“The LSU AgCenter is a valuable resource for lawn and garden information,” McCallum said. “We have a host of experts and volunteers ready to answer questions. For instance, the Louisiana Master Gardener program is a service and educational program of the LSU AgCenter that’s designed to recruit and train volunteers to meet community needs for gardening information.”
The 2011 Get It Growing calendar sells for $11.95 and can be ordered online at www.LSUAgCenter.com/OnlineStore, which offers sample photos and more information about the calendar through that website.
Phone orders also can be placed by calling 225-578-4161, and a holiday offer currently available for online or phone orders is valid for $2 off the regular calendar price (making holiday purchases through Dec. 19 only $9.95 each).
In addition to those purchase options, the calendar is available through a variety of bookstores, garden centers and gift shops across the state.
Proceeds from calendar sales support the Get It Growing Horticulture Scholarship in the LSU AgCenter’s School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences.
The Get It Growing Calendar is just one of many gardening educational initiatives of the LSU AgCenter, which provides a variety of information, publications, websites and workshops for gardeners. Many of those are available free of charge or at low cost, and additional information can be found at www.LSUAgCenter.com or by contacting the LSU AgCenter Extension Service office in your parish.
The LSU AgCenter also has information on many more topics, as well, ranging from nutrition and health to family life, youth development, financial management, crops, livestock and more.
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Contact: Elma Sue McCallum
Editor: Tom Merrill