(Video 12/29/14) Holly plants have always been synonymous with the Christmas season — because of their deep green foliage and bright red fruits. But even though Christmas and New Year’s Day have passed, you can still plant these festive trees and shrubs in your landscape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains some of the best holly plants available at your local nurseries right now.

(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) 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) 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) 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)

(Audio 12/22/14) December is a really great time to get hardy shrubs into the ground. Hardy shrubs will not be bothered by the colder temperatures in Louisiana. These include Indian hawthorns, azaleas, camellias and roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Harvest bunching onions in the green stage when they have green tops and white bases. You can dig up the entire bunch, separate out the amount you want, and replant the remainder so they may continue to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Once the weather gets chilly, the foliage on evergreens may change color. Some foliage may take on a scarlet, gold or bronze pigment but will change back to green in the spring. Listen to learn which evergreen plants provide winter color. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Prune tropical plants that may be damaged from freezing temperatures. Cut back herbaceous tropicals right away, usually 3-5 days after the freeze. Protect woody tropicals throughout the winter and prune them in the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Plant pre-chilled tulip and hyacinth bulbs in late December or early January. Bulbs should be refrigerated 6-8 weeks before planting them. Make sure to plant the bulbs 5 inches into the ground in a sunny, well-drained location. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 12/15/14) Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to have a dreary yard. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill gives you some tips for adding late-season color to your landscape.

(Video 12/22/14) Now is a good time to get cool-season plants into your flower beds. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the importance of determining proper placement and spacing before you put them in the ground.

(Audio 12/15/14) Shade trees dump a lot of leaves on our lawns during this time of year. Instead of putting them out with the trash, use fallen leaves for mulch or compost. If you prefer the look of a particular mulch, place a layer of leaves under a thin layer of the mulch to save money. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/15/14) Find camellias already in bloom at your local nursery and plant them now. Be sure to plant the camellia at the same depth it was growing in the container. Camellias should be planted in a well-drained location with afternoon shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/15/14) Chemicals used in gardening include a wide variety of pesticides and fertilizers. Pesticides may by toxic, so make sure to store them where they are out of reach of children. Store fertilizers in an air-tight container to keep them fresh. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/15/14) Few gardeners still grow plants from seeds. When buying packages of seeds, we often do not use them all. Store excess seeds in the refrigerator to plant in your garden next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) Cabbages won’t be bothered by below-freezing temperatures. Transplants come in multiple varieties according to head size or color and can be found at your local nursery. Plant transplants about two feet apart. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) Winter is a great time to plant hardy fruit trees in the landscape, such as apples. Choose warm varieties that like mild winters. Remember to plant two apple varieties for cross pollination. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) Because Louisiana has mild winters, this allows cool-season weeds to grow all through the winter season. Keep flower beds and vegetables gardens well mulched to protect them from weeds. If needed, apply a weed killer to your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) The wind chill factor really applies to warm-blooded mammals, such as humans. Because plants do not produce any heat, they are not affected by the wind chill factor. When it comes to your garden, only worry about the normal temperature. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) Tropical plants do not have the cold hardiness to deal with freezes. Protect them this winter season by bringing them inside your house or garage. If planted outside, cover them with layers of plastic or fabric. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 12/1/14) ’Tis the season for decorating, and one of the top decorations is a traditional Christmas tree. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to choose a good Christmas tree and keep it looking nice through the season.

(For Release On Or After 12/26/14) The oaks have become a part of American culture more than many other type of tree. Oaks are a symbol of strength and durability. Strong as an oak is a common comparison.

(For Release On Or After 12/19/14) As the earth travels around the sun in its orbit, the length of our days and nights varies from season to season. This is because the earth’s axis of rotation is tilted in respect to its plane of orbit around the sun.

(For Release On Or After 12/12/14) Winter vegetable gardening is tremendously rewarding. Many of the vegetables we planted earlier in the fall are ready to harvest, and it is important to harvest vegetables at their right stage for best results.

(For Release On Or After 12/05/14) When it comes to Christmas trees, there are two basic choices – living or artificial. Although artificial trees have their place, and manufactures are producing some startlingly realistic versions, I’m going to focus on the living types, as you would expect in a gardening column.

(Video 12/8/14) If you thought holly berry or mistletoe were the most popular Christmas plants, you would be wrong. That distinction belongs to the lovely poinsettia. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to select good poinsettias and care for them through the season.

(Audio 12/1/14) Add cool-season bedding plants to your landscape in early December. This will allow the plants to settle in before the intense cold of late December, January and February. Listen to learn which cool-season bedding plants will do well this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Use poinsettias to decorate your home for the holidays. Keep poinsettias well watered and locate them close to a window. Another holiday plant is the Christmas cactus, which will bloom year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Make sure your Christmas tree is fresh for the holiday season. Shake the tree to look for fallen needles, touch the needles to see if they are still soft, and pick out a tree that has a fresh green look and a nice smell. Consider cutting your own tree on a Louisiana Christmas tree farm. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Louisiana’s mild winters allow gardeners to grow vegetables year round. Promptly harvest vegetables to receive the best quality possible. Listen to learn which vegetables to plant in December. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Gardening chores typically slow down during this time of year. Make sure to drain the gasoline from power equipment before storing them. Clean and sharpen all your tools, then coat them with oil so they do not rust. Store pesticides in a location where they won’t freeze. (Runtime: 60 seconds)