(TV News 5/3/10) If you want ripe tomatoes picked from your backyard, now is the time to plant them. If you’ve never planted a garden, why not start one now? LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard talks with a horticulturist about how to get started. (Runtime: 1:43)

(Video 05/10/10) The Knock Out rose is a fabulous, low-maintenance rose that produces beautiful flowers for a sizeable period of time. But if you want similar features in your roses, you don’t have to limit yourself to Knock Outs. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out other roses that are just as good as the Knock Out rose. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Video 5/3/10) You may have found the perfect-looking little plants to put into your flower beds. But if you’re not careful, those plants can lead to headaches. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill warns about the importance of checking how tall a plant will grow before you buy it. (Runtime: 1:32)

(TV News 05/10/10) The red rose is the quintessential flower. But at the LSU AgCenter's Burden Center in Baton Rouge, reds compete with whites, yellows, corals and pinks. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited the extensive rose gardens at the center and has this report. (Runtime: 1:41)

(Video 05/31/10) If you weren’t fortunate enough to get a hydrangea plant for Mother’s Day, it’s not too late to get to your nursery and pick some up. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the types of hydrangea and how to care for them. (Runtime: 1:34)

(Video 05/24/10) If you want color in your summer garden, you don’t necessarily need bright flowers. Yes, you heard right. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how some summer plants have foliage that display beautiful colors. (Runtime: 1:42)

(TV News 05/24/10) Dry conditions threaten cotton acreage. More growers were interested in planting cotton this year, but LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that many haven’t been able to. (Runtime: 1:35)

(TV News 05/31/10) LSU AgCenter food scientists are working on ways to get youngsters to consume more fruits and vegetables. Their efforts started with a little experiment. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the details. (Runtime: 1:49)

(Video 05/17/10) Southern magnolia trees are an integral part of many Louisiana landscapes, and they’re beginning to bloom throughout the state at this time. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill discusses whether or not you should be concerned about dying, yellow leaves on your magnolia trees. (Runtime: 1:25)

(TV News 05/17/10) Fort Pike, which guards an island near New Orleans, dates back to the Seminole Wars of 1830. The fort survived several wars but was vulnerable to Hurricane Katrina. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that a group of students are using trees to re-fortify the area. (Runtime: 1:43)

(Audio 05/03/10) Louisiana gardeners have the luxury of keeping their vegetable gardens in full production at all times of the year. During May, gardeners can harvest different vegetables. Be sure to choose heat-tolerant vegetables for summer production. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/10/10) May is a great time of the year to plant a new lawn or to evaluate the condition of your existing grass. Sod is a good choice for doing repair work or planting a new lawn. Learn more about the advantages of solid sodding. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/03/10) Most of the herbs that Louisiana gardeners grow do not particularly enjoy the heat of summer. As the temperatures begin to peak, it is important to generously harvest your herbs now before their production diminishes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/03/10) Caladiums are one of the most outstanding plants for color in shady areas of the landscape. Caladiums are hardy and are not prone to insect problems. Here are some tips for planting caladiums. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/31/10) Recycling the organic waste that your yard creates is one of the best things you can do when creating compost. Fallen leaves and grass clippings are a large portion of compost especially during the summer when mowing becomes a more frequent activity. Learn more about summer composting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/24/10) Black spot is the most common fungal disease that damages rose bushes. Gardeners should choose rose varieties that are less susceptible to black spot or spray their susceptible varieties regularly. Listen for more about common symptoms of black spot disease. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/31/10) A number of summer vegetables can withstand Louisiana's summer heat and keep your vegetable garden productive. Listen for a list of vegetables that will grow successfully in your garden this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/31/10) Containers allow us to grow plants in areas like decks, which normally could not support plant growth. Container plants exposed to a lot of sunlight need to be watered frequently during the summer to prevent them from drying out. Here are some tips on watering container plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/03/10) Most people are not aware that several of the vegetables we grow are actually producing fruit. For example, eggplants and bell peppers are both the fruit of the plant. When harvesting eggplants, you do not want to allow the fruit to ripen before collecting it. Learn more about harvesting eggplants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/28/10) The high temperatures that will be with us from now until October take their toll in the vegetable garden. Tomatoes set fewer fruit, and snap beans produce poor-quality beans.

(Audio 05/24/10) Aquatic gardens have become very popular around Louisiana, but as the temperatures increase and the days get warmer, the water turns green due to algae growth. Avoid using chemicals to control the balance of the garden. Here are some options to help keep your aquatic garden from turning green. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/24/10) Growing plants in containers is a common practice. The two most popular materials for pots are clay or plastic. Keeping these pots clean enhances the appearance of the plant growing in them. Here are some tips on cleaning your containers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/03/10) Many people move their tropical plants indoors during winter and move them back outdoors for summer. May is a good time to get these plants back outdoors while temperatures are still relatively mild. Hear about appropriate light conditions for these plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/10/10) As the temperatures rise, we cannot use many of the weed control products in our landscape. It is important to practice weed control now while the weather is still cool enough. Hear about some of the best weed control products to use in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/21/10) A number of misconceptions surround how we prepare soils for planting. Sometimes the advice may sound reasonable, but it may not provide the benefits you expect.

(Audio 05/31/10) Louisiana gardeners can obtain wonderful vine-ripened fruit from their tomato plants. When harvesting tomatoes in your yard, leave them on the vine until they are ripe and ready to eat. If you are having trouble with insects or birds, however, you can harvest your tomatoes early. Learn more about harvesting home-grown tomatoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/17/10) Spanish moss is a plant that makes its own food through photosynthesis. It gets the water and minerals it needs through rainfall. This plant is not a parasite and does not damage the tree in which it is growing. Listen to learn more about Spanish moss. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/17/10) Many Louisiana landscapes have young trees and shrubs trying to establish themselves during this time of the year. Louisiana gardeners should be aware that these new plants may require supplemental irrigation during the summer in order to be successful. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/24/10) Summer bulbs can brighten and enrich our landscapes. Most summer bulbs like good drainage, but some will tolerate damp conditions. In this case, consider planting calla lilies, cannas and Louisiana iris. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/14/10) With flower clusters like fluffy balls of cotton candy, hydrangeas are among the most popular summer-flowering shrubs for shady gardens. From now through July, huge flower heads of pink, blue and blends of those two colors appear above the rich green leaves.

(Audio 05/31/10) Taking care of your lawn is an important part of maintaining a landscape during the summer. Hear more about the aspects of summer lawn care such as mowing, fertilizing and watering. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/07/10) I’ve heard it said (and even said so myself in earlier years) that spring is short in Louisiana, with weather rapidly transitioning from winter to summer. But this really isn’t accurate.

(Audio 05/10/10) Many Louisiana gardeners plant new lawns around the summer. Solid sodding is the preferred method for establishing a new lawn. Hear about the solid sodding process and about caring for a new lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/17/10) As the temperatures get warmer, gardeners may notice that their cool-season bedding plants are begin to fade. Don’t wait too long to replace these old, tired plants with fresh, new summer bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/10/10) Hydrangeas and gardenias are two of the most popular summer plants. They bloom wonderfully in Louisiana around this time of the year. Do not be alarmed if you notice some of the leaves turning yellow on your gardenias. Also, learn how to make your hydrangeas bloom a different color. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/17/10) Irish potatoes are a popular vegetable to plant in spring gardens. If you are one of the many Louisiana gardeners with Irish potatoes growing in your garden right now, it is time to think about harvesting. Learn the indicators that mean your potatoes are ready to be harvested. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/17/10) Many people who have grown up in Louisiana have fond memories of harvesting blackberries or dewberries from the wild. Blackberries can be grown in your own backyard garden and will produce more blackberries with higher quality fruit than the wild types. Hear more about growing blackberries in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/10/10) If you have planted tomatoes, early May is about the time when you will begin to see your first green tomatoes reach full size. Often we see the lower fruit developing brown or discolored. This is called buckeye rot. Listen for information on how to control buckeye rot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/24/10) Unlike most other trees, palm trees like the heat and should be planted during the summer. If you are considering planting palms in your landscape, now is a wonderful time to do so. Be sure that you choose palms that are hardy. Learn more about planting palms in Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/10/10) ABBEVILLE, La. – This spring has the LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist scratching his head, but he is sure the cold, wet winter has slowed the beginning stages of this year’s crop.

(Distributed 05/17/10) As part of its Healthy Homes educational program, the LSU AgCenter will conduct a Lead Certified Renovator training class June 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, La. The center is 15 miles north of Alexandria on U.S. 165.

(Distributed 05/03/10) The LSU AgCenter is implementing an online quality assurance and ethics training program for 4-H and FFA members and their families who are interested in participating in its youth livestock projects. The complete certification program will be available for 4-H and FFA members and their families later this summer and will be required for the 2011 show season.

(Distributed 05/25/10) BOSSIER CITY, La. – A virtual Louisiana farm tour for families looking for summer activities was featured at a Lunch and Ag Discovery session held May 25 at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station here.

(Distributed 05/06/10) Teachers and students in the LSU College of Agriculture received awards from the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society at a recent annual ceremony and banquet (May 4). The top award went to Witoon Prinyawiwatkul, food science professor, who was named the Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award winner. He conducts research on seafood technology and byproduct use at the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/06/10) Louisiana sugarcane farmers will have a new sugarcane variety this fall with the release of L 03-371 from the LSU AgCenter and others on May 5.

(Distributed 05/19/10) The third annual short course for landscape management professionals will be June 18-19 at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/31/10) A new program promoting Louisiana landscape materials was one of the highlights at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station annual landscape horticulture field day May 13.

(Distributed 05/19/10) Whether wild or farmed, Louisiana crawfish are harvested from freshwater habitats, well away from coastal areas. As a result, the potential for problems related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is nonexistent for this popular seafood product, and no spill-related effects are anticipated, said Greg Lutz, an aquaculture specialist with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/28/10) DELCAMBRE, La. – A new program to link consumers with commercial fishers is under way at the Port of Delcambre. Buyers can find out on the website, www.portofdelcambre.com, when a boat is headed to the dock with seafood.

(Distributed 05/24/10) The LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Home and Landscape Resource Center (LaHouse) will hold a sustainable vegetable and landscape field day Friday, June 11, in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/17/10) GRAND CANE, La. – Approximately 600 4-H’ers tested their skills, decision making and endurance on the shooting range May 7-9 at the state shooting sports competition.

(Distributed 05/21/10) The LSU AgCenter recently recognized the Lake Forest Elementary Charter School in New Orleans as the state’s first School of Character.

(Distributed 05/31/10) Louisiana Master Farmer Program participants can attend any of a series of field days throughout Louisiana this year to meet one of three requirements to be certified.

(Distributed 05/04/10) WEST MONROE, La. – Perennials are flowers and shrubs that live for two years or longer and are hardy enough to survive winter, non-woody and able to tolerate heat, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill told the Louisiana Master Gardeners at their state conference April 30.

(Distributed 05/21/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – Controlling insects is essential for profitable pecan production, Mike Hall, an LSU AgCenter entomologist, told pecan growers at the LSU AgCenter’s Pecan Research and Extension Station field day May 20.

(Distributed 05/27/10) Rice farmers who see their crop starting to show bronzing on the leaves should consider a dose of zinc, an LSU AgCenter agronomist advised. Dustin Harrell made his remarks at a field day in Evangeline Parish on Tuesday (May 25) and on Wednesday (May 26) in Jefferson Davis Parish.

(Distributed 05/10/10) ROSEPINE, La. – LSU AgCenter researchers at a recent Rosepine Research Station field day (May 5) gave cattle producers several ideas for using forages to feed their herds.

(Distributed 05/04/10) WEST MONROE, La. – Louisiana Master Gardeners were encouraged to photograph their work to share with future generations by the keynote speaker at the organization’s state conference here April 29-May 1.

(Distributed 05/04/10) Scientists at the LSU AgCenter recently confirmed the presence of late blight on tomatoes in home gardens in Terrebonne, Lafayette, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes. Symptoms include black lesions on stems and petioles, blackening of the fruit, and dark, dead areas on the foliage.

(Distributed 05/05/10) WEST MONROE, La. – Gardeners can save seeds to cut costs and maintain heirloom varieties, Denyse Cummins, LSU AgCenter horticulturist, told the Louisiana Master Gardener Convention here April 30.

(Distributed 05/10/10) The LSU AgCenter will conduct rice field days in Evangeline and Jefferson Davis parishes in May.

(Distributed 05/25/10) Are you ready for a hurricane? LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel offers a 20-question quiz to help you determine just how prepared you are.

(Distributed 05/14/10) Coleus are one of our summer favorites for Louisiana landscapes. Coleus come in old varieties and new varieties. Some do well in shade and others do well in sun. There are coleus propagated from seed and coleus that are only propagated by stem cuttings.

(Distributed 05/06/10) Angelonias are one of the top new herbaceous ornamental plants over the past 10 years. Some of us may not have been familiar with angelonias until recently, and many gardeners are probably still somewhat unfamiliar with this new plant. Angelonias are also referred to by the common name of “summer snapdragon.”

(Distributed 05/11/10) Studies show many older adults are not getting enough vitamin D. Together with calcium, vitamin D helps protect older adults from osteoporosis, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.

(Distributed 05/21/10) After a beautiful spring in Louisiana, butterfly gardening season is now upon us. As we near summer, we have more bedding plants and herbaceous perennials in bloom, and these naturally attract butterflies.

(Distributed 05/20/10) Tax time may be over, but any time of year you can review the amount that will be withheld by your employer in preparation for 2010 taxes. Any time your financial situation changes, you need to think about the withholding amount, says Gloria Nye, LSU AgCenter family economist.

(Distributed 05/12/10) May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. About 74.5 million people in the United States have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.

(Distributed 05/28/10) Spring rose bloom was outstanding this year. The cooler weather through the winter did very little cold damage, and the dry weather and cool nights in spring led to a tremendous peak bloom throughout the state in mid- to late April.

(Distributed 05/31/10) 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.

(Radio News 05/31/10) An important part of parenting is providing guidance to your child. LSU AgCenter LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Becky White says parents need to provide a safe and loving environment where children can learn and grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/17/10) High blood pressure doesn’t always have symptoms, so many people may have it without even knowing it. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames explains blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/10/10) Weather has gone from too wet to too dry this planting season in Louisiana. Corn was planted later than normal in some fields because of wet conditions. Now dry weather is delaying planting of soybeans and cotton. LSU AgCenter county agent Rob Ferguson explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/31/10) Parents need to have realistic, research-supported expectations about what their children can do and accomplish says an LSU AgCenter family development specialist. Dr. Becky White says expecting too much too soon can have a negative effect on a child. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/31/10) LSU AgCenter food scientists are working on ways to get students to eat more vegetables while saving money for the school system. Mixing beans in with beef or chicken for hamburgers and chicken patties could save a school system several million dollars says LSU AgCenter food science graduate assistant Darryl Holliday. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/17/10) Fort Pike, which guards an island near New Orleans, dates back to the Seminole Wars of 1830. The fort survived several wars but was vulnerable to Hurricane Katrina. Water inundated the area during the storm. Eric Garmon Wallace manages the Fort Pike State Historic Site and talks about what's happened since the storm. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/24/10) About 60 percent of the state’s cotton crop has been planted. Dry weather has been keeping farmers from planting the rest. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dr. John Kruse says the window for planting cotton is closing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/03/10) Louisiana’s rice crop is starting to emerge, and LSU AgCenter rice entomologist Dr. Natalie Hummel says the state’s cool and wet winter may have led to high aphid populations on seedling rice in some areas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/10/10) Colorful blooms with equally colorful names populate the All-America Rose Selections display garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center. The garden, which peaks about the middle of spring, has thousands of flowers and more than 150 varieties. LSU AgCenter Burden Center Director Dr. Pat Hegwood explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/03/10) Rice farmers will plant popular varieties like Cocodrie, Chenier and Clearfield 151 this year, but some are planting a fairly new variety developed by the LSU AgCenter. It's called Jazzman. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/10/10) Mother’s Day kicked off National Women’s Health Week. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says many women lack certain nutrients, such as vitamin D, folic acid and calcium, in their diets. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/31/10) The end of the school year presents the perfect opportunity for young people to learn about smart finances. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker talks about some financial principles. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/03/10) Gardeners interested in trying organic vegetable gardening will need to make adjustments when planting and caring for their vegetables. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Kiki Fontenot explains. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Radio News 05/31/10) With the end of school here, many parents are wondering what to do with their tweens – children between the ages of 10 and 13 that aren’t quite teenagers yet, but old enough to want some independence. LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser has some ideas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/10/10) Traditional roses can require a lot of care and attention, but several groups of roses are easier on the gardener and the environment. LSU AgCenter research associate Allen Broyles is studying different types of roses at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center. He is currently evaluating Griffith Buck roses, miniature roses and Earth-Kind roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/24/10) Rain in early March threatened to keep farmers from planting the state’s corn crop, now dry weather is threatening what was planted. LSU AgCenter corn specialist Dr. John Kruse says when the weather dried up in mid-March growers were able to get the crop planted in a timely manner. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/17/10) Maintaining your air conditioner can save you money and help your health in the long run, says LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/24/10) Seventh graders at McKinley Middle Magnet School in Baton Rouge took part in a hamburger taste test. One of the burgers contained beef mixed with red beans. LSU AgCenter food scientist graduate assistant Darryl Holliday is hoping school lunch programs will use the bean burgers as a way to get children to eat more vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/24/10) Cotton acres in Louisiana have reached historical lows in recent years, and it seems the decline may not be over says LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dr. John Kruse. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/10/10) Before visiting Fort Pike State Historic Site in New Orleans, Luling Elementary fourth-grader Tarah Boudoin had never heard of a dibble -- a tool used to plant trees. But by the time the group finished planting 200 baldcypress trees, she was well acquainted with the instrument. She also was acquainted with the important role trees play in our environment. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/03/10) The LSU AgCenter’s rice verification program takes research-based recommendations out of the research plots and applies them to the real-world situations of farmers' fields. LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dr. Johnny Saichuk started the program in 1997. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Radio News 05/24/10) Cotton growers are moving away from traditional cotton varieties in favor of varieties that offer resistance to insects and to the herbicide glyphosate. While these varieties can offer better results, the seeds do cost more than traditional varieties. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 05/17/10) America’s Wetland Conservation Corps members are educating Louisiana residents about the importance of the state’s inland and coastal wetlands. Corps member Jonas Augustine is one of 31 AmeriCorps members stationed across the state.

(Radio News 05/03/10) If you planted vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants on time this year, you’ll soon be harvesting, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Kiki Fontenot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)