(Video 06/28/10) A popular plant for producing colorful flowers throughout the summer is the impatiens. These traditional impatiens only grow in shady areas. But on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a new, bigger impatiens, which prefers direct sunlight over shade. (Runtime: 1:42)

(TV News 06/21/10) Sweet potato growers are hopeful that this year will be better than the last two. Growers are planting their crop, and LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that acreage will remain stable. (Runtime: 1:19)

(Video 06/14/10) The baldcypress tree is, for the most part, insect- and disease-free here in Louisiana. But it’s not without some problems. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what to do about spider mites on your baldcypress. (Runtime: 1:39)

(TV News 06/14/10) Oil threatens wildlife and plants that live in Louisiana's marshes. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard talks with a plant and a fisheries specialist about the spill and what it could mean for the fragile ecosystem and fishing communities. (Runtime: 1:55)

(TV News 06/07/10) Farmers have finished harvesting the state’s wheat crop. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that yields are varied and prices could be better. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Video 06/21/10) Hosta is a genus of plants that can produce nice, green foliage in your landscape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers some advice on the best ways to grow hosta plants. (Runtime: 1:29)

(TV News 06/28/10) They may be small, but blueberries pack a nutritious punch. Louisiana blueberries are available at farmers’ markets, grocery stores and at pick-your-own orchards this time of the year. (Runtime: 1:51)

(Video 06/07/10) Maybe you’ve planted sweet corn and you’re looking forward to picking some nice, juicy ears. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill gives you some tips for both growing and picking your sweet corn. (Runtime: 1:49)

(Audio 06/07/10) A sucker is an undesirable, vigorous chute originating at the base of a plant. When dealing with suckers, it is important to prune them off properly to prevent a stub from sprouting again and producing more suckers than before. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/21/10) Many people plant trees during the winter season and into the spring. When the temperatures rise, these trees are going to need supplemental watering. Here are some tips for watering newly-planted trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 06/25/10) Fire ants inflict painful stings and create unsightly mounds in our yards and gardens, so most of us would be happier if there were no fire ants around. It’s interesting to note, however, that fire ants are excellent predators and help control such pests as fleas and ticks in lawns.

(Audio 06/07/10) Lawns often have many issues that are sometimes difficult to treat. Slime mold is an unattractive fungus-like organism that lives in lawns throughout the year and decays organic matter. Hear how slime mold can actually benefit your lawn rather than cause damage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/28/10) Louisiana figs will soon begin to ripen. It is important to make sure fig trees are receiving a sufficient amount of water. To prevent birds from feeding on your figs, purchase bird netting from your local nursery. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 06/04/10) If you planted your tomatoes at the right time – from March to mid-April – you should be harvesting delicious, vine-ripened tomatoes by now. If you didn’t plant tomatoes for yourself, check your local farmers markets.

(Audio 06/21/10) While French tarragon will not grow properly throughout Louisiana’s hot summers, Mexican tarragon could serve as a substitute. This relative of marigolds has a rich flavor and grows beautifully in full sun situations. Learn more about planting Mexican tarragon in your herb garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/21/10) Most baldcypress trees that are planted in the landscape don’t usually produce knees. If your cypress does produce knees, this can be a nuisance when they come up in the lawn. While cypress knees in a flower bed appear picturesque, it is beneficial to eliminate the ones that appear in your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/07/10) Hurricane season begins in June. High winds from these storms can cause damage to landscapes, and gardeners should be aware of this and prepare their landscapes accordingly. Hear about how you can properly prepare your yard for hurricane season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/28/10) Frequent summer rainfall makes the weather humid and damp. Snails and slugs love this type of weather, and they are likely to come out and feed on your plants. Deal with snails and slugs by setting out beer traps or using iron phosphate baits. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/07/10) Now is the time for gardeners to start pruning their once-blooming rose bushes. These roses are just finishing their blooming season, and by pruning them now, the plant will produce vigorous new growth. This new growth will produce flowers for you next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/28/10) Louisiana gardeners welcome flowering plants that are able to withstand the intense heat of summer. Profusion zinnias are a hybrid group of zinnias that are insect-free. They grow very well during the summer. Hear more about growing zinnias in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/14/10) Louisiana gardeners that spend long periods of time outside in their gardens should take precautions to protect themselves from summer’s heat. Hear more about drinking plenty of fluids, gardening in the shade and other helpful tips. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/28/10) Gardeners should practice weed control in Louisiana beds during the summer. Regardless of how you weed, chances are the weeds will grow back. Try using mulch as a defense against weeds, and you also may want to apply a pre-emergence herbicide to prevent weeds from developing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 06/11/10) Landscapes are dynamic creations that are always changing. Plants grow larger. New plants are added along the way. Other plants die. And even trees may be lost in storms. Over the years, a landscape can change radically from its original look.

(Audio 06/28/10) If you have tomatoes planted in your vegetable garden, by this time of the year you should be harvesting many fresh red tomatoes. You may notice some of the flowers that the plant produces will begin to fall off due to high temperatures and lack of pollination. If you want to harvest tomatoes well into the summer, be sure to plant heat-tolerant varieties. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 06/18/10) Recently, a gardener had a problem with her Japanese maple tree. The maintenance crew working on her landscape had gotten too close to the trunk with a string trimmer and removed a lot of the bark.

(Audio 06/07/10) Lichens are a crusty, grayish growth found on tree branches, statues, or fences. Gardeners are often concerned that this growth is damaging the plant. Learn more about lichen growth in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/29/10) Twenty-one 4-H students from across Louisiana spent two days in June learning to prepare and present shrimp dishes as practice for national competition at the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans in August. The youth were part of a new educational track during 4-H University on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, June 22-25, called the Next 4-H Food Star.

(Distributed 06/01/10) Fourteen young people from around Louisiana have been selected for the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program, according to program coordinator Bradley Leger.

(Distributed 06/18/10) BOSSIER CITY, La. – Variety evaluations, insect pest management and plant breeding on cotton, soybeans and corn was highlighted at a field day June 16 at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station.

(Distributed 06/16/10) Louisiana farmers who are tempted to get into the business of producing freshwater shrimp in ponds need to get all the facts and proceed with caution, according to Greg Lutz, an aquaculture specialist with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/09/10) During the week of June 22-24, more than 1,500 4-H’ers from across the state will descend upon the LSU campus in Baton Rouge to compete for awards, scholarships, U.S. savings bonds and educational trips. It’s called 4-H University, and it’s the culmination of another year in the LSU AgCenter 4-H program, according to Mark Tassin, state leader.

(Distributed 06/08/10) PORT SULPHER, La. – Up river from where oil is washing ashore in Plaquemines Parish, LSU AgCenter research associates are planting ponds with smooth cordgrass. This grass is the predominant plant species in Louisiana’s intertidal marshes.

(Distributed 06/21/10) Louisiana seafood is safe, and consumers don’t need to worry about the safety of eating Louisiana seafood following the oil spill, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/04/10) POLLOCK, La. – High flying excitement with a knockout message awaits fourth- through sixth-graders at the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Camp Grant Walker this summer.

(Distributed 06/21/10) RAYVILLE, La. – Northeast Louisiana farmers can learn about improving their rice and soybean crops at an upcoming LSU AgCenter rice and soybean field day July 14.

(Distributed 06/01/10) BATON ROUGE, La. – Two new people have joined the management team and one new person has been added to the Board of Directors of TransGenRx Inc., a bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing company started through technology developed at the Louisiana State University AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/18/10) The LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center will host a tour of fruit and vegetable research and variety trials Saturday, July 3.

(Distributed 06/17/10) CROWLEY, La. – With rainfall becoming more frequent, rice farmers should be alert for diseases on their crop, according to an LSU AgCenter expert who spoke at the Acadia Parish Rice Tour held Wednesday (June 16).

(Distributed 06/15/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – “I could just say this and finish. Pull ‘em,” LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill, said about weeds during a recent tour of community gardens here.

(Distributed 06/23/10) Fourteen members of the LSU AgCenter’s Communications and Information Technology units were recipients of national awards at the 2010 Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences conference in St Louis, Mo., on July 15-17.

(Distributed 06/30/10) Two new LSU AgCenter blogs related to rice farming have made debuts this season on the Web. Natalie Hummel, entomologist, documents her work with rice insects, and Johnny Saichuk, rice specialist, has turned his Field Notes newsletter into a blog.

(Distributed 06/25/10) NEW ORLEANS – The LSU AgCenter has launched a new online service to help agriculture businesses market their products. Called Market Maker, the service is offered via a website so anyone in the world 24 hours a day can find items they want to purchase from Louisiana businesses.

(Distributed 06/11/10) Nearly 600 youth from across Louisiana will compete in the 41st annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show July 6-10 in West Monroe.

(Distributed 06/18/10) CREOLE, La. – Fishermen worried about the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill met with several state and federal agencies to get answers Tuesday, June 15.

(Distributed 06/24/10) GUEYDAN, La. – Vermilion Parish farmers will have the chance July 6 to learn about the latest in rice water weevil control, see how new soybean varieties perform in south Louisiana growing conditions and get a update on the rice market. The tour starts at 3 p.m. at the Alden Horton farm on the corner of Louisiana highways 711 and 14.

(Distributed 06/15/10) Farmers have finished planting much of Louisiana’s sweet potato crop. And its success is crucial to many farmers who are struggling financially after two bad years.

(Distributed 06/14/10) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter experts shared their knowledge for growing vegetables and landscaping plants with gardening enthusiasts June 11 at a field day held on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 06/14/10) Hot, dry spells during summer could put homes and forests at risk of wildfires, and rural homes surrounded by forests are at the highest risks. “It is important for people to be aware of rural fire safety,” said LSU AgCenter forestry agent Keith Hawkins.

(Distributed 06/16/10) POLLOCK, La – Scholarships from Chesapeake Energy are assisting 60 young people from underprivileged households with attending 4-H summer camp at the LSU AgCenter’s Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center, said Eric Eskew, executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.

(Distributed 06/29/10) CROWLEY, La. – A facility aimed at helping farmers export rough rice to Mexico by rail is progressing and could be in operation by next year, the Louisiana Rice Growers Association Board of Directors learned at a recent meeting. Jim Watkins of Welsh reported to fellow board members that the rail facility to load rice at Lacassine is closer to being built.

(Distributed 06/28/10) BATON ROUGE, La. – Hundreds of Louisiana youth took home honors as state contest winners and alternates during the 96th annual 4-H University June 22-25 on the LSU campus. All together nearly 1,550 4-H’ers participated in the event, which is the culmination of a year of activities in the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H youth development program.

(Distributed 06/21/10) Ways to enhance tourism resources and create new ones in rural areas in Louisiana and Mississippi is the focus of the 2010 Miss-Lou Regional Tourism Summit Aug. 10-12 at Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, Miss., said Cynthia Pilcher, community economic development agent for the LSU AgCenter and one of the summit coordinators.

(Distributed 06/01/10) BOSSIER CITY, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station field day will be held Wednesday, June 16.

(Distributed 06/09/10) An LSU AgCenter soil scientist has been working on a project to help detect oil and other hydrocarbons in soil, and it could be used with the Gulf of Mexico disaster. “We started this project two years ago,” said David Weindorf, assistant professor in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences.

(Distributed 06/10/10) NEW ORLEANS – Isle Derniere, at an elevation 5 feet, was a barrier island off the coast of Louisiana between Caillou Bay and Terrebonne Bay when what is believed to be a category 3 hurricane ripped into it in 1856. Half the island’s population perished, and what was once a resort community was destroyed and never rebuilt.

(Distributed 06/08/10) ST. JOSEPH, La. – The LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station Pest Management and Crop Production Field Day has been rescheduled for July 20 after cancellation of the original date, which was in June.

(Distributed 06/10/10) CROWLEY, La. – Scientists and rice industry representatives from across the nation and the world are expected to attend the 101st LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station Field Day on July 1. “The presentations at the field day will cover the entire spectrum of growing a rice crop,” said Steve Linscombe, the station’s director.

(Distributed 06/10/10) A device that can “harvest” an oil spill in open seas or in a marsh – much like a combine harvests wheat and eliminates the chaff – sits as a working concept model at the LSU AgCenter in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 06/04/10) As National Dairy Month, June is a good time to review the benefits of enjoying milk and other dairy products.

(Distributed 06/09/10) Outdoor grills are a popular Father’s Day gift for dads to enjoy all year long in Louisiana. But cooking out requires extra care to prevent food-borne illness, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. Careful grilling also can prevent excessive smoke and charring that may be unhealthful.

(Distributed 06/11/10) June is the peak month for harvesting early-summer vegetables. People grow their own vegetables because of the outstanding quality of freshly harvested produce, and growing your own vegetables is a part of sustainable landscaping. Harvesting at the right stage, however, is essential to getting the best quality vegetables from your garden.

(Distributed 06/28/10) Consumers and businesses are advised to be alert for scams following the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – and to report their experiences to federal and state authorities, advises Jeanette Tucker, LSU AgCenter extension family economist.

(Distributed 06/11/10) Enjoying fresh Louisiana berries is a treat many people look forward to each year. Blueberries provide important nutrients that make them a healthful choice to enjoy at meals or as snacks, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/04/10) June is the month when gardeners around Louisiana need to prepare their landscapes for hurricane season. Even in north Louisiana, landscapes can be affected by the high winds and heavy rains powerful hurricanes can bring.

(Distributed 06/25/10) What should you be doing in your garden this time of year? We say, as little as possible because mid-June to mid-September is the most stressful time of the year for gardeners and their plants.

(Distributed 06/18/10) The extraordinary heat we experience in summer in Louisiana can be put to good use in the vegetable garden. Through solarization – a process of using sunlight to heat soil in beds under clear plastic – summer heat can be used to reduce the harmful effects of pathogenic fungi and nematodes and kill weed seeds in the soil without using toxic chemicals.

(Radio News 06/14/10) Summer weather in Louisiana can be warm and dry. LSU AgCenter forestry agent Keith Hawkins says this increases the risk of fires. Homeowners should know about how to protect their property from a fire. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/14/10) LSU AgCenter coastal plant researchers are working on more effective ways of revitalizing wetlands. Smooth cordgrass is the most widely-used plant to re-vegetate marshes. LSU AgCenter coastal wetlands plant specialist Mike Materne talks about this grass. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/07/10) Louisiana wheat growers recently wrapped up harvesting the state’s 120,000 acres of wheat. Prices were not very favorable for growers, and LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell says he doesn’t expect acreage or prices to change much for next year’s crop. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/21/10) This time of the year, you can find blueberry growers like John Day in their orchards harvesting this summer berry. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/07/10) The effects the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will have on Louisiana’s wetlands is unclear, but it already is having a devastating effect on the people that rely on the seafood the wetlands support. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/21/10) As sweet potato growers plant their 2010 crop, most will plant a variety that dates back to the late 1980s, but some growers are trying a new variety says LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Dr. Tara Smith. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/28/10) Fathers are honored in June. LSU AgCenter family and child development associate Courtney Pitts says fathers need to be involved from the beginning. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/07/10) Farmers saw mixed results when harvesting their wheat crop, reporting yields that varied from 20 to 80 bushels per acre. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell says rainfall in fall and winter was the problem for some fields. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/21/10) They may be small, but blueberries pack a nutritious punch. These berries are in season now, and LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says consumers can enjoy them in a variety of ways. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/14/10) Every child needs an advocate – someone who is on their side says LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Becky White. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/07/10) Up river from where oil is washing ashore in Plaquemines Parish, LSU AgCenter research associates are planting ponds with smooth cordgrass. Mike Materne, LSU AgCenter’s coastal wetland plant specialist says this grass is the predominant plant species in Louisiana’s intertidal marshes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/28/10) Dr. Jack Losso, a food scientist is working with extracting lutein, a beneficial antioxidant, from corn distiller’s dried grain. Losso obtained a patent this year for his process that isolates the lutein from corn, even aflatoxin-contaminated corn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/14/10) Insect control is essential for profitable pecan production. LSU AgCenter entomologist Mike Hall is studying the emergence patterns of the insect pecan phylloxera. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/21/10) Farmers have planted much of the state’s sweet potato crop. LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Dr. Tara Smith says the success of this crop is crucial to many farmers who are struggling financially after two bad years. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/21/10) Not many foods offer the amount of nutrients as the vibrant blueberry. It’s the color, which comes from the pigment anthocyanins, that makes these berries so healthful. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/07/10) The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has raised questions about the safety of Louisiana’s seafood. LSU AgCenter fisheries agent Rusty Gaude says there is no question. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/28/10) Most children are naturally inquisitive, and when a storm is approaching, your child may have many questions. LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser says you should be prepared to answer these questions before they are asked. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/28/10) Keep it clean when cooking or eating outdoors says LSU AgCenter nutritionist, Dr. Beth Reames. No one wants their picnic spoiled by food-borne illness. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 6/28/10) The health benefits of soybeans are numerous, but an important protein is lost when soybeans are made into products such as soy milk and tofu. Dr. Jack Losso, an LSU AgCenter food scientist, has been working on recovering this protein, the Bowman-Birk inhibitor, from soy whey and is working on measuring it in foods. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/14/10) LSU AgCenter coastal wetlands plant specialist Mike Materne has criss-crossed the state from Cameron Parish to Plaquemines Parish in an effort to grow smooth cordgrass for foundation plant material. He harvested field trials of the plant in Cameron then planted them in ponds at the LSU AgCenter’s Coastal Area Research Station in Port Sulphur. (Runtime: 60 seconds)