February
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Cold Hardy Plants
Maintain balance of hardy and tropical plants
(Video 02/01/10) Many yards look brown and dead after cold temperatures damaged tropical plants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains that although people are upset with dead or dying tropicals, it’s important for them to find the right balance of tropicals and hardy plants when planting in their landscapes. (Runtime: 1:44)
Fabulous Fuchsia
Fabulous fuchsias provide diverse color
(Video 02/22/10) It’s a beautiful flowering plant with a name that sounds like a color. We’re talking about the plant fuchsia. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill describes the diversity of color and style, as well as proper care for this lovely plant. (Runtime: 1:34)
Poultry Farms
Poultry producers struggle after close of processing facility
(TV News 02/22/10) Poultry producers are still struggling to rebound after the closing, and then reopening of a processing facility in Northeast Louisiana. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited with a grower who has watched chickens return to his houses but his paycheck drop. (Runtime: 1:52)
Cane Begonia
Add gorgeous cane begonias to landscape
(Video 02/08/10) It’s a delicate plant, but beautiful and diverse -- coming in leaf colors of green, purple, silver and burgundy. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the world of the lovely cane begonia on this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 1:44)
Livestock Show
LSU AgCenter Livestock Show celebrates 75th year
(TV News 02/15/10) Rows and rows of pigs, sheep and chickens line the exhibition halls of the Lamar-Dixon Expo center. Crowds of animals and youngsters gather every year for LSU AgCenter Livestock Show. This will be the 75th year for the state livestock show, and even though the name says livestock, the event really is more about helping young people develop life skills than it is the about the animals. (Runtime: 1:29)
Bulbs bloom before spring
(Audio 02/15/10) Although most spring-flowering bulbs wait to bloom in the spring, some of Louisiana’s bulbs blossom during the wintertime. While watering and fertilizing the beds of these bulbs is often unnecessary, gardeners should keep the flower beds mulched. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Divide perennials during dormant months
(Audio 02/22/10) Regardless of whether you are trying to increase growth, decrease growth or reinvigorate your perennials, dividing these plants is a wonderful solution. Gardeners who are planning to divide perennials in their landscape should consider doing so during their dormancy throughout the month of February. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Rejuvenate ground cover areas
(Audio 02/15/10) Ground covers are low-growing plants used to cover large areas of our landscape. Now is a good time to refurbish ground cover areas before new growth beings in late winter and early spring. Listen to hear which tools and methods work best for tidying up ground covers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Pruning roses promotes good development
(Audio 02/01/10) Pruning roses this time of the year benefits the plant by controlling its size, making the bush shapelier and encouraging more flower growth. Learn which varieties of roses require heavier pruning. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Prune roses in early February
(For Release On Or After 02/05/10) Early February is an excellent time to cut back roses growing in your landscape. Hybrid tea and grandiflora roses, in particular, should be pruned around this time every year. Otherwise, these roses tend to become leggy, less vigorous and unattractive and do not bloom as well.
Add colorful shade-tolerant plants to winter landscape
(Audio 02/08/10) Some gardeners are not aware that there are a number of beautiful cool-season bedding plants that can thrive in shady locations. Learn which bedding plants are the most shade-tolerant while surviving winter temperatures. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
It’s time to plant glads
(For Release On Or After 02/19/10) The tall flower spikes of gladiolus add elegance to the flower garden. Derived from species native to South Africa, the modern hybrid gladiolus grows from a corm and has been a favorite of Southern gardeners for generations.
Cold weather damages tropical plants
(Audio 02/01/10) Louisiana experienced below freezing temperatures in early January which damaged tropical plants. Some tropicals should be cut back to the ground, while some should only be pruned mildly or sometimes not at all. Hear more to decide action to take with your tropical plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
February can be a rainy month in the garden
(For Release On Or After 02/12/10) February weather often includes heavy and frequent rain, which reminds us that Louisiana has a relatively wet climate. Periods of drought certainly do occur, especially during the hot months of summer. But it is important for gardeners to realize that plant selection and the gardening techniques we use are largely influenced by the generous amount of annual rainfall we receive.
Fertilizer maintains potency over time
(Audio 02/22/10) Many people find themselves wondering if their fertilizer from several years ago is still viable for the upcoming season. Generally speaking, fertilizer does not lose its potency as long as it has been protected from moisture in the air. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Fire blight causes damage to landscape plants
(Audio 02/22/10) Fire blight is a rare bacterial disease that targets plants in the landscape. Plants within the rose family are particularly susceptible to fire blight along with some fruit trees and ornamentals. Learn when and where to look for fire blight symptoms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Soil content affects hydrangea color
(Audio 02/08/10) Many people know that hydrangeas can change color, but most do not understand what causes this color change. Different pH levels and the availability of aluminum ions in the soil cause the plant to produce different color blossoms. Discover which factors determine which hydrangea colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Get informed about proper fruit tree pruning
(Audio 02/08/10) Louisiana gardeners grow a variety of fruit trees in their landscapes. February is a good time to prune these, but different fruit trees require different types of pruning. Hear more about how you can obtain information on pruning fruit trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
February still ideal for planting trees
(Audio 02/08/10) Louisiana celebrates Arbor Day in January, but February also is a great time to plant new trees in your landscape. Planting trees this time of the year allows the plant to settle into its environment before the heat of spring and summer. Here are some tips on how to properly plant a tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Practical to plant gladiolas early
(Audio 02/22/10) Some gardeners may think it is too early in the year to plant gladiola corms. Due to the short blooming season of gladiolas, however, planting them earlier can prolong the time we have to enjoy them. Learn how to plant gladiolas to yield maximum results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
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