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Rice Crop
Cloudy weather could hurt rice crop
(TV News 07/19/10) Cloudy days could mean lower yields for the state’s rice crop. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that farmers will have to wait and see how the weather will affect this year’s crop (Runtime: 1:30)
True Blue
Add true blue flowers to summer landscape
(Video 07/26/10) Blue flowers can add a cool touch to hot summer gardens, but are all flowers that may be called blue truly blue? In reality, relatively few flowers in nature actually are blue. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill is in search of some of those true-blue flowers. (Runtime: 1:45)
Begonias
Dragon wing begonias offer nice size and color
(Video 07/19/10) Common wax begonias are beautiful in the landscape, but they’re kind of small. If you’re looking for a begonia with bigger flowers and leaves, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends trying dragon wing begonias on this segment of Get It Growing.(Runtime: 1:41)
Corn Disease
Disease affects 2010 corn crop
(TV News 07/05/10) Louisiana’s corn crop is past the tassel stage. Some farmers have seen diseases on their corn. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has more. (Runtime: 1:34)
Purslane
Purslane provides reliable color all summer
(Video 07/05/10) During the heat of summer, flowers obviously need to be well-watered to keep them alive and attractive. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill describes a hardy plant that is drought tolerant, while also maintaining its color throughout the entire summer. (Runtime: 1:37)
Alternative Crawfish
Aquaculture specialist working with alternative crawfish species
(TV News 07/12/10) Louisianans love crawfish, but fresh crawfish is only available during a certain window of time. LSU AgCenter researchers are working on an alternative crawfish species that could open that window a little wider. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the details. (Runtime: 1:45)
Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtles are perfect trees for summer color
(Video 07/12/10) No trees show off more bright, flowery colors during the summer than crape myrtles. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers some advice for selecting and growing these beautiful and popular landscape trees. (Runtime: 1:36)
Summer bedding plants withstand summer heat
(Audio 07/12/10) The intense heat of summer takes a toll on our flower gardens. Many summer bedding plants are able to endure this heat and produce lots of flowers for us. Here are a few tips on watering and keeping your garden looking lively. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Removing faded flowers has real benefits
(For Release On Or After 07/16/10) Deadheading is an important but often-neglected gardening technique. It refers to pruning old, faded flowers from a plant as it blooms. It is most often done to annuals and perennials, but it is also useful with some summer-flowering trees and shrubs.
Ornamental grasses are ideal for low-maintenance landscapes
(For Release On Or After 07/23/10) We all are familiar with low-growing, running grasses like St. Augustine and centipede used to cover lawn areas, and in most gardeners’ minds, all other grasses are simply weeds. Ornamental grasses, however, are an often-overlooked group of herbaceous perennials that thrive in Louisiana and will grow beautifully with minimal effort.
Take steps to care for vegetable garden before putting it to rest
(Audio 07/05/10) Because Louisiana summers are extremely hot, many gardeners choose to take a break from gardening until the weather becomes cooler again. Before you put your vegetable bed to rest, be sure that you take steps to ensure your garden doesn’t become full of weeds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Be careful when pruning blackberries
(Audio 07/19/10) Blackberries are one of the easiest and most productive fruits that can be grown in the home garden. They have a unique life cycle. Blackberry chutes do not produce during the first year, but during their second year they produce vigorously and then die. Be sure to prune all of the old canes down to the ground and prune the tips off of the new canes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Mow and water grass regularly for healthy growth
(Audio 07/05/10) The most important parts of lawn care this time of the year are mowing and watering. Here are some tips on watering and mowing your lawn during the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
LSU AgCenter identifies plants most suitable for Louisiana
(For Release On Or After 07/30/10) The LSU AgCenter conducts greenhouse and landscape research on many new bedding plants each year. This helps to determine production practices to assist growers and evaluate performance in the landscape to provide garden centers, landscape professionals and home gardeners information on how these plants will perform under Louisiana’s growing conditions.
Trim seed pods of young crape myrtles
(Audio 07/26/10) Crape myrtles are popular summer-flowering trees, and they have a very long blooming season. If your tree is relatively young, and you notice some leftover seed pods, trim these off to encourage new growth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Make cut flowers from your garden last
(Audio 07/26/10) Some people feel guilty for harvesting flowers from their flower gardens. Imagine how much more you would enjoy your flowers if they were cut from your garden and arranged in an attractive vase indoors. Here are a few tips on how to make cut flowers last as long as possible. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Reduce utility bills with shade trees
(For Release On Or After 07/02/10) When you think of shade trees in your landscape, you most likely focus on the shade they create outside. It would be hard to do anything on a patio or deck this time of the year unless it was shaded. But trees that shade our homes also help hold down inside temperatures far better than curtains or blinds. And this lowers the cost of summer air conditioning.
Plant basil in Louisiana gardens
(Audio 07/19/10) Basil is an indispensable herb used in Louisiana cooking. Basil is a warm-season herb, and you can add more basil to your garden despite the heat. Visit your local nursery to find basil transplants to add to your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Summer heat causes decline in rose quality
(Audio 07/26/10) The roses in your landscape do not enjoy the heat of summer. You may notice smaller flowers, faded color and declining quality. There is not much you can do for your roses when this occurs, but be sure to water deeply when the weather is hot and dry. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Boost container plants to avoid wood rotting
(Audio 07/12/10) When growing plants in containers, it is critical that the containers have drainage holes. Drainage holes allow us to water these plants generously and let the excess water seep out of the holes. When placed on wooden decks, use bricks or pot feet to boost these container plants because the excess water could stain or rot the wood. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
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