(Audio 12/29/14) For your New Year’s resolution, consider trying to grow a new plant. You may also want to resolve to keep better records or keep up with weeding. Encourage friends or family members to try gardening. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/29/14) Many gardening catalogs will arrive this time of the year. Be sure to check out the new plants for next year, but don’t get carried away if you’re not sure what will grow well here. Do some research or reach out to your LSU AgCenter extension office if you have questions about a new variety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/29/14) Most gardeners have more indoor plants in the wintertime. Take care of them by placing them next to a window to receive light. Do not place them where warm air from the vents can hit them, and remember to water appropriately. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/29/14) Purchase and plant amaryllis bulbs all through the winter season. First, plant the bulbs in a pot next to a sunny window and allow them to bloom. In April, move the pot outside and plant the bulb into the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/29/14) Most Christmas cactuses have probably finished blooming by now, but don’t throw them away. Christmas cactuses can become long-lived house plants that will bloom year after year. Move them next to a sunny window or place them on your porch or patio throughout the summer and into fall (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/22/14) BOSSIER CITY, La. – The "perfect" soybean would have great disease and herbicide resistance, excellent drought and salt tolerance, be able to withstand insect pests and be high-yielding. And LSU AgCenter plant breeder Blair Buckley is on a quest to find it.

(Distributed 12/22/14) CROWLEY, La. – Louisiana rice farmers will get a chance to hear the latest recommendations by LSU AgCenter experts at a series of meetings in January and February.

(Distributed 12/19/14) Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) frequently accent our homes during the Christmas season. Make sure you keep them watered while it is on display.

(Distributed 12/19/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Master Gardeners in northeast Louisiana will hold their 5th annual gardening seminar at the West Monroe Convention Center from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Jan. 17.

(Distributed 12/19/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – John Gaspard doesn’t think he is following in his parents’ footsteps. Although the path he is taking is similar to theirs. On Friday, Dec. 19, Gaspard, a science teacher at Rougon Elementary School in Point Coupee Parish, received a doctorate from LSU in human resource education and workforce development.