(Video 09/05/11) The desert rose – as the name suggests – is a tough, hardy plant. It doesn’t need much water in the summer, produces beautiful flowers and has an interesting sculpture-looking trunk. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to this unique container plant that looks like a miniature tree. (Runtime: 1:41)

(Video 9/19/11) Some herbs are hardy, and you can plant them during cold months with no problem. Others are less tolerant of the cold and should be planted now. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill helps you choose the best garden herbs for your particular needs. (Runtime: 1:37)

(Video 10/3/11) There are many different types of crape myrtles scattered across Louisiana lawns and landscapes. But as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing, the new Delta Jazz has a notable feature not found on other crape myrtles. (Runtime: 1:39)

(Video 9/12/11) Bugs have been multiplying during the summer. In most cases, you’ll have to use some type of insecticides to protect your vegetable and fruit plants. But as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains, it’s important to use the safest, most appropriate insecticides for your particular needs. (Runtime: 1:39)

(Video 9/26/11) Are you afraid to grow roses because you heard it was difficult? LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains there’s no need to have any fear about growing Belinda’s Dream roses. They’re the latest Louisiana Super Plant selection. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Audio 10/03/11) Cool-season bedding plants offer beautiful color. Sweet peas also offer wonderful fragrance. Sweet pea seeds can be found at gardening centers, and the plants need something to climb on while growing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/03/11) Look around and you may notice beautiful things in nature you can use to decorate your home. Leaves and seed pods can be made into wreathes and arrangements that will stay attractive throughout fall and into the holiday season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/03/11) As the weather cools in October, lawns begin growing more slowly. But you still have to watch out for lawn diseases such as brown patch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/03/11) Roses begin blooming beautifully in October. This month can be dry, so water them if we have dry spells. Also, deadhead roses to keep them attractive and to show off the new growth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/03/11) October is a good time to start planting cool-season vegetables. Gardeners can plant cole crops such as cabbage and broccoli. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/26/11) Summer-blooming bulbs are popular in Louisiana landscapes. By this time of the year some of them are fading. Trim away old leaves and cut back stalks to keep them looking attractive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/26/11) Garlic is a staple in Louisiana cooking. Gardeners can have a steady supply by growing it themselves in their winter gardens. Growing garlic does require patience. Harvest will occur in late April or May. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/26/11) Louisiana iris are wonderful perennials grown in the state. Their growing season starts in October, so now is a good time to dig up and divide these plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/26/11) Gardeners who planted warm-season bedding plants in May, may see these plants fading this month. You can evaluate your plants and start planning your fall beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/26/11) It's still hot in September, so now is still a good time to see where you may need shade in your landscape. Shade trees can reduce energy bills and make outdoor spaces more pleasant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/21/11) The LSU AgCenter is releasing the latest of its helpful resources for Louisiana gardening enthusiasts – the 2012 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar. The calendar is packed with photos, gardening hints and monthly tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill that are specifically written for Louisiana’s growing conditions and climate.

(Audio 09/19/11) By the end of summer, plants growing in containers may have outgrown those containers. Consider repotting them if they appear pot-bound. Choose a new container about 2 to 4 inches larger than the container a plant is growing in. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/19/11) For generations, spring was the prime blooming season for azaleas. But since breeders have developed plants that will bloom in the fall as well as the spring, you can enjoy their beauty this time of year, too. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/19/11) The azalea lace bug is a common insect pest that attacks azaleas. The symptom is tiny white specks on the upper surface of the leaf. Turn over the leaf and look for dark spots. Gardeners have several insecticides available to control lace bugs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/19/11) Many gardeners throw away the organic waste generated by their landscapes. Grass clippings, leaves and small twigs can be recycled through composting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/19/11) Caladiums are valuable bedding plants for providing color in shady areas. Many gardeners dig up the caladiums before winter and replant the tubers the following year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/12/11) The weather in September can by dry, and October tends to be our driest month of the year. Gardeners may be tempted to water less frequently as the weather cools, but if conditions are dry, watering still will be necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/12/11) Summer's intense heat begins to dissipate in September, allowing gardeners more time in their yards. This is a good time to prepare beds for fall vegetables and cool-season bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/12/11) Louisiana gardeners rely on mulch to help control weeds. Mulches will break down over time, so it may be time to refresh the mulch around beds, trees and shrubs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/12/11) Seasons are beginning to change, but lawns haven't slowed down yet. If the weather remains dry and hot during the month, you may notice chinch bug damage in your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/12/11) Days are getting shorter, and fall is around the corner. While it can still be warm here this time of the year, plants need to prepare for winter. This means it's getting too late to prune many plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/05/11) The load of pecan nuts on trees may be fairly heavy in September. As trees get older, the branches get longer and may snap from the weight of the pecans. It is normal even for healthy branches to break. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/05/11) Shallots and green onions are popular and easy to grow in home gardens. Growing them does require patience, however. If you plant them now, you won't harvest until spring. You can plant these vegetables using sets. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/05/11) While it still feels like summer in September, plants are preparing for fall and winter. This means gardeners should be cautious about fertilizing certain plants and lawns that need to be hardy heading into winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/05/11) Wet and hot conditions in late summer can cause mushrooms to pop up in lawns. These can be a nuisance, but they don't hurt our lawns. Homeowners also may notice slime mold on their grass. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/05/11) Mature trees are a valuable part of any property. When building a new home or renovating on a lot with trees, make sure to protect the trees from construction damage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 09/30/11) Lawn care definitely changes as the weather begins to cool, and by October the growth of warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, centipede, Bermuda and zoysia begins to slow down. As a result, now is not a good time to do anything that would disrupt or damage the turf such as filling, aerification or dethatching.

(For Release On Or After 09/23/11) Many summer-blooming annuals, perennials and vegetables are setting seeds now, and you can harvest the seeds, store them and then grow a new crop of plants for your garden next year. This can be fun, save a little money and allow you to share seed with gardening friends.

(For Release On Or After 09/16 /11) September is one of our most active months for tropical storms and hurricanes. Although parishes in the southern portion of the state are most vulnerable, these powerful storms can and do produce high winds and heavy rains as they move north. And tropical storms aren’t all we have to worry about. Violent summer storms can produce high winds and tornados as well.

(For Release On Or After 09/09/11) One of the most common questions I receive from gardeners is, “What kind of fertilizer should I use?” The gardeners generally assume there must be an easy answer for this if they just tell me what kind of plant they are growing.

(For Release On Or After 09/02/11) In late summer gardeners need to think about two important points of landscape maintenance – fertilizing and pruning. This time of year is the latest we should fertilize lawns, hardy shrubs and ground covers in the landscape. Now is also the time to prune many shrubs, cut back overgrown tropicals and trim some bedding plants.

(Audio 08/29/11) Home vegetable gardens are very active in September. Gardeners can grow a mix of warm-season and cool-season vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/29/11) Late August is a stressful time of the year in our landscapes, but it also is a good time to walk around and evaluate how plants performed throughout the summer. What you learn will help you make planting decisions for next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/29/11) Coleus are among those plants grown not for their flowers but for their colorful foliage. Many coleus varieties are adapted for full sun, but one variety must be grown in the shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/29/11) Homeowners have several options for their grass clippings. One is to keep them on the lawn. This should only be done if you mow frequently. Another is to bag the clippings and use them in a compost pile. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/29/11) Transplants have been coddled at the nursery and aren't ready to go straight into the garden. You need to harden them off first by gradually exposing them to more sunlight and less water. (Runtime: 60 seconds)