Distributed 11/08/13) We are now at the time of the year ideal for shade tree planting in Louisiana. Oaks are one of our most popular landscape trees. The willow oak (Quercus phellos) has been named a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2013.

(Distributed 11/08/13) BELLE CHASE, La. – The lingering cold temperatures last spring may be affecting the quantity and size of some citrus crops but growers harvesting satsumas say this could be a bumper crop that is definitely better than last year.

(Distributed 11/27/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Eleven Louisiana 4-H members took home top prizes from the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference held in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 20-21.

(Distributed 11/27/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Nominations for the 2014 Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction are being accepted through Dec. 15.

(Distributed 11/27/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a poinsettia open house and sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 6 at the Botanic Gardens at Burden, which is located at 4560 Essen Lane near the junction of I-10 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 11/22/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Students from the LSU Laboratory School got out of the classroom for a wetlands education field day at LSU’s Hilltop Arboretum on Nov. 14. The event, known as Louisiana Wetlands Exploration Day, was one of seven similar events held around the state this fall, according to Ashley Mullens, LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Wetlands Program manager.

(Distributed 11/25/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has published a valuable guide for those interested in fruit and nut production in the state.

(Distributed 11/22/13) The Camelot series foxglove (Digitalis) is seed-propagated and includes four colors – Camelot Cream, Camelot White, Camelot Rose and Camelot Lavender.

(Distributed 11/21/13) THIBODAUX, La. – Debbie Melvin likes to say that it takes 30 days to make something a habit. She spends eight Monday evenings with a group of women helping them form healthy habits they can have for the rest of their lives.

(Distributed 11/22/13) HAMMOND, La. – The U.S. forestry industry has migrated from the Pacific Northwest to the South over the past two decades, providing additional opportunities for Southern forest landowners, an LSU AgCenter business development expert told an audience at a workshop on forest-based bioenergy.

(Distributed 11/22/13) HAMMOND, La. – The sasanqua species of camellia is one of our most popular flowering shrubs for late fall through early spring. These go by the scientific names of Camellia sasanqua.

(Audio 11/25/13) Deciduous shade trees are dropping their leaves this time of the year. You can make use of these leaves in your landscape by raking them and using them as mulch or by composting them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/21/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 60 Master Gardeners from across the state attended the Louisiana Plant Materials Conference at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens as part of a training program on Nov. 19.

(Audio 11/25/13) Landscapes and gardens can stay attractive during winter. Gardeners should take some time to clean up around their landscape by cutting back dead foliage or adding new mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/25/13) A lot of vegetables are available as transplants at nurseries. Root crops, however, must be direct-seeded. The root is the crop, so if you pull it out to transplant it, the root may be damaged. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/25/13) The leaves on some deciduous trees are starting to change colors. Trees in Louisiana don't put on the fall display as they do up north. Some trees that are more likely to provide color include sweet gum, red maple, gingko and southern sugar maple. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/25/13) Willow oak is a deciduous shade tree that grows well in Louisiana. It is a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2013. It has an upright, oval growth habit and can grow relatively quickly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/20/13) HAMMOND, La. – The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season means it’s time for poinsettias.

(Distributed 11/20/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has issued a call for entries for photographs for its 2015 Get It Growing calendar to give photographers an opportunity to have their photos selected for the upcoming edition.

(Audio News 11/19/13) The cost of the average Thanksgiving meal is up 9 percent this year according to a survey by the LSU AgCenter. Jeanette Tucker, an AgCenter family economist, says the 2013 Thanksgiving market basket will average $48.50 for 10 people. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Video News) While harvest has wrapped up on many crops, Louisiana farmers are busy planting wheat. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard looks at the planting season. (Runtime: 1:23)

(Distributed 11/18/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Eight animal science faculty members from three federal universities in Brazil spent Nov. 11-15 at the LSU AgCenter visiting with professors, scientists and students in an effort to learn more about various research programs.

(Distributed 11/18/13) BATON ROUGE, La – Louisiana cooks shopping for Thanksgiving will find the costs of traditional dinner items up for the second year in a row. The 2013 Thanksgiving market basket will average $48.50 for 10 people, according to an LSU AgCenter survey.

(Video News 11/18/13) After a year of growth, Louisiana’s sugarcane crop is ready for harvest. What seemed to be an average crop is turning out better than expected. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Distributed 11/15/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – A recent meeting sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry brought dairy farmers together to discuss their nutrient management plans and to make sure they are in compliance before EPA visits in the coming weeks.

(Video 11/25/13) Many trees are dropping their leaves now. But not to worry; fall is a great time to plant trees in your yard. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a Super Plant called willow oak. And like all Louisiana Super Plant selections, it’s a proven winner. (Runtime: 1:33)

(Video 11/18/13) Most cool-season bedding plants like full sun. But on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out some beautiful shade-loving plants that work great during cooler months. (Runtime: 1:27)

(Distributed 11/15/13) The LSU AgCenter has been evaluating landscape performance of columbines the past five years and selected the Swan series as a Louisiana Super Plant in fall 2011.

(Distributed 11/15/13) HAMMOND, La. – We are now at the time of the year ideal for planting shade trees in Louisiana, and oaks are among our most popular landscape trees.

(Distributed 11/15/13) ALEXANDRIA, La. – LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Ron Levy is conducting the first year of a study at the Dean Lee Research Station to find the balance between preparing an adequate seedbed and retaining organic matter left from the harvest.

(Distributed 11/14/13) FORT POLK, La. – The U.S. Army has honored Sgt. Melvin Jennings for helping 4-H students prepare for a statewide 4-H culinary competition.

(Audio News 11/14/13) Farmers have planted most of Louisiana’s wheat crop. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Josh Lofton says with ideal weather recently, they’ve been able to plant quickly. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio 11/18/13) The majority of the cool-season plants we use in our flower gardens are transplants. Some plants prefer to be planted from seeds. Sweet peas, poppies and larkspurs should be direct-seeded where you intend for them to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/13/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Farmers have planted most of Louisiana’s wheat crop. With ideal weather recently, they’ve been able to plant quickly. “We’ve had good conditions,” said LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Josh Lofton. “The rain has played with us nicely. We’ve had some showers that helped with germination, but not enough to kick us out of the field for long periods of time.”

(Distributed 11/13/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – For many years, fall in central and south Louisiana meant smoke causing power outages, poor visibility for drivers and ash falling from the sky.

(Distributed 11/13/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – November weather in Louisiana can be extremely variable. One day we are wearing flip flops and T-shirts; the next, temperatures are dipping into the 30s.

(Audio 11/18/13) November and early December are considered the best time to plant hardy trees in our landscapes. In this segment, horticulturist Dan Gill has steps for planting a tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/18/13) Mild winters allow Louisiana gardeners to have flowers and vegetables during winter. But this also means we have insect pests. Things to look out for this time of the year include aphids, slugs and snails. Hear more the learn how to control them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/18/13) Most spring bulbs can be planted this time of the year. Tulip and hyacinth bulbs need refrigeration before they can go into the ground. You can buy the bulbs now and keep them in the vegetable bin of your refrigeration for six to eight weeks before planting them in January or February. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/18/13) Most Louisiana gardeners have tropical plants in their landscape. These plants need to be protected during freezes. Tropicals in containers can be moved inside. Sheets or small lights can keep plants in the ground from freezing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio News 11/12/13) Earlier in the year, sugarcane farmers were worried about their crop. A cool spring and early summer slowed growth of the cane, and farmers were anticipating a less-than-average crop. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says a warm end to summer helped the cane catch up. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Distributed 11/11/13) SHREVEPORT, La. – Several thousand students and their teachers visited the LSU AgCenter’s AgMagic exhibit at the 2013 Louisiana State Fair.

(Distributed 11/08/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – A plant materials conference for Louisiana nursery, landscape and garden center professionals has been set for Dec. 5 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden in Baton Rouge.

(Audio News 11/08/13) The popular dairy store on LSU’s campus scoops out ice cream in flavors such as Tiger Bite and Rum Raisin, but on the other side of the Dairy Science building, LSU AgCenter researchers are working on ways to make dairy products healthier. Kayanush Aryana is adding healthy ingredients to yogurt such as immune boosters and fiber. (Runtime 1:40)

(Distributed 11/08/13) HAMMOND, La. – Foxglove (Digitalis species and hybrids) is a lesser-known, cool-season flower for Louisiana landscapes. Most home gardeners aren’t familiar with this plant.

(Distributed 11/07/13) WINNSBORO, La. – When Paul “Trey” Price began his career with the LSU AgCenter, he didn’t expect to be in the position he holds now.

(Audio 11/11/13) Louisiana gardeners are fortunate to get a fall crop of tomatoes. As the weather gets cooler, the tomatoes will ripen more slowly. If a freeze threatens, harvest the tomatoes and ripen them indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/11/13) Many gardeners move their houseplants outside during summer. But a lot of container plants are tropical and should be kept inside for winter. Don't wait until a freeze threatens. Prepare the plants for the move, and rid them of any pests before bringing them in. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/11/13) You may see amaryllis bulbs in the nurseries this time of the year. Fall and winter is not the time to plant amaryllis in your landscape. The bulbs can be grown in pots indoors on a sunny window sill during winter and then planted outdoors in spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 11/11/13) Ornamental grasses can look lovely in the landscape – particularly when they add a touch of color. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to pink muhly grass – a wispy native ornamental that can add grace and colorful tints of pink to your yard. (Runtime: 1:32)

(Audio 11/11/13) Gardeners can get so caught up in working in their gardens that they don't take the time to just enjoy it. Spend time relaxing in your garden and admire the work you put into it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/11/13) Ryegrass will keeps lawns green and attractive throughout winter. Remember if you do plant ryegrass you will have to continue to mow. Hear more to lean about planting ryegrass. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 11/04/13) The Louisiana Super Plants program promotes plants that are tough, vigorous and beautiful in Louisiana landscapes. Most plants that are described as blue look to be some shade of purple or lavender. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a true blue and strikingly beautiful plant – the Diamonds Blue delphinium. (Runtime: 1:36)

(Distributed 11/05/13) NEW ORLEANS, La. – Four LSU College of Agriculture students attended a recent Produce Marketing Association Career Pathways program in New Orleans.This event, which was Oct. 17-20, is designed to attract students into careers in the fresh produce industry, said LSU AgCenter economist R. Wes Harrison.

(Video News 11/05/13) Yogurt can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. An LSU AgCenter researcher Kayanush Aryana is looking at ways to make yogurt even healthier. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited Dairy Science to learn more about Aryana’s work. (Runtime: 1:48)

(Audio 11/01/13) Sweet potato producers are harvesting their crop. The yield so far is average, and the quality is good. LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist, Mavis Finger says a cool, wet spring delayed planting statewide, leading to smaller potatoes. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Distributed 11/01/13) Want to add color to your fall, winter and early spring garden? Plant some colorful Sorbet series violas.

(Audio 11/04/13) Lettuce is a great cool-season vegetable. The lettuce you purchase in the supermarket cannot compare to freshly harvested lettuce. You can grow lettuce from seeds or transplants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/01/13) HAMMOND, La. – Most of us think of pansies, violas, dianthus, snapdragons and petunias to decorate our fall-through-early-spring landscape. Another nice addition to cool-season flower beds is ornamental types of kale and cabbage.

(Audio 11/04/13) Nurseries get their spring bulbs in September, but November is the best month to plant them. You can find good selections now. Listen to hear how to plant them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/04/13) Deciduous trees will drop their leaves this time of the year. Keep the leaves from sitting on your lawn too long. This can make the grass unhealthy. Rake or mow them up. Use the leaves as mulch or compost. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/04/13) We expect to see the leaves of deciduous trees change colors and drop off. But this can happen to some of the leaves on evergreens as well. Evergreens won't have a big drop off like deciduous trees, but older leaves may yellow and fall off. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/04/13) Despite the cold weather we can have in November, there are many vegetables that can be planted this month. Many vegetables prefer chilly temperatures, so keep the garden active during winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 11/29/13) Botany lessons often help gardeners understand some of the underlying reasons why plants behave the way they do and why we do things a certain way. When growing a plant that is expected to produce fruit, knowing something about its reproductive workings is in the gardener’s best interest to prevent disappointment.

(For Release On Or After 11/22/13) Now is the perfect time to plant cool-season bedding plants that will brighten our landscapes over the next five or six months.

(For Release On Or After 11/15/13) Few flowering bulbs can surpass the stately beauty of the amaryllis. Typically blooming in April, this popular bulb is a star performer in the spring garden. Dormant bulbs are readily available now, and with proper care, they can become a long-lasting part of your landscape.

(For Release On Or After 11/08/13) The willow oak (Quercus phellos) has been name a Louisiana Super Plants selection for fall 2013. Native to Louisiana, willow oaks are deciduous trees that make outstanding shade trees.

(For Release On Or After 11/01/13) If you’re not keeping your vegetable garden productive through the winter, you’re missing out on one of the most rewarding times of the year for growing vegetables. An amazing selection of vegetables can only be grown here during the cool season from October-November through April-May.