(Distributed 12/23/15) CROWLEY, La. – The LSU AgCenter will conduct a series of meetings throughout the Louisiana rice-growing region for rice farmers to get the latest information to help with the 2016 crop.

(Distributed 12/23/15) DELHI, La. – The LSU AgCenter will conduct a forum for row crop farmers Feb. 10 to provide information for the upcoming crop year.

(Audio 12/28/15) It is important to know how to recognize and prune cold damage on plants. Make sure you allow all of the cold damage to reveal itself before you try to remove it. Listen for more information on dealing with cold damage on plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/28/15) If you want more diverse selections of roses than your local nurseries offer, try mail order. Browse online now for roses to plant around February or March. Listen for more information on ordering roses for the upcoming season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/28/15) You may be wondering what to do with your holiday plants once the holiday season has past. Some plants should be discarded while others should be preserved. Listen for more information on dealing with holiday plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/28/15) Now is the time to plant the tulip and hyacinth bulbs you purchased in the fall. Make sure you plant those bulbs in conditions that will allow them to grow properly. Listen for more information on growing tulips and hyacinths. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/28/15) If you want a green lawn through the winter, you should try over seeding your existing lawn with rye grass. Rye grass will remain hardy through winter freezes. Listen for more information on maintaining a green lawn this winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 12/23/15) The new year just wouldn’t be complete without making resolutions. Organization and planning can help those commitments become a reality. Growing the right plants and properly caring for them also take preparation. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a special calendar that helps gardeners keep on track for a successful year of gardening. (Runtime: 01:47)

(Video 12/30/15) So, you have Christmas plants left over after the holidays. Can you replant that poinsettia? Can you keep that Christmas cactus? On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what to do with those plants after the holidays wind down. (Runtime: 01:39)

(Video 12/23/15) As 2015 comes to a close, farmers are ready for a better year. They enjoyed high prices and record yields over the past few years, but in 2015, prices and yields fell. (Runtime: 01:19)

(Distributed 12/22/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Food products can be prepared, tasted, tested and evaluated in a state-of-the-art facility in the new Sensory Analysis Center on the LSU AgCenter campus.

(Distributed 12/22/15) CROWLEY, La. – The 2015 Louisiana rice crop was a challenge for many farmers with excessive rain in the south and hot temperatures in the north. That was followed by excellent weather for harvest. While the first crop harvest was a decline from the exceptional harvests of the past two years, the second crop in south Louisiana was exceptionally good

(Distributed 12/22/15) MANSURA, La. – 4-H Club members in a bicycle caravan rolled down the highway Dec. 18 to learn about the benefits of eating properly, exercising and making safety a habit.

(Distributed 12/21/15) Swan columbine is a great cool-season bedding plant that most Louisianians should get to know. It was named a Louisiana Super Plant in fall 2011. Unlike most other columbine varieties, the Swan series is propagated by seed.

(Distributed 12/18/15) BATON ROUGE, La – In 1951, Lutrill Payne Sr. filed suit against Louisiana State University, which led to the desegregation of LSU’s graduate school. On Dec. 18, the LSU College of Agriculture recognized Payne’s accomplishments by posthumously awarding him the LSU University Medal, LSU’s highest honor, during its December commencement ceremony.

(Distributed 12/18/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will offer classes in January that address new residential energy code requirements for Louisiana contractors, builders, inspectors and prospective code verifiers.

(Distributed 12/17/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Professionals in the plant materials industry heard about plants with potential and the latest plants from the industry at the Louisiana Plant Materials Conference at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on Dec. 8.

(Distributed 12/17/15) HAMMOND, La. – Although poinsettias are typically associated with the holidays, another group of plants to consider are the Thanksgiving and Christmas cactuses. These are highly recommended for long-term enjoyment.

(Distributed 12/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La.—The LSU AgCenter, the LSU College of Agriculture and the Southern University AgCenter announced the winners of their annual faculty and staff awards at a ceremony held Dec. 16 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(Distributed 12/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The American Forage and Grasslands Council will hold its annual conference on Jan. 10-13, 2016, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 12/16/15) LAKE CHARLES, La. – With crawfish season starting, LSU AgCenter experts offered advice Tuesday (Dec. 15) for producers to improve their harvests.

(Distributed 12/16/15) ALEXANDRIA. La. – Members of the Louisiana Forage and Grassland Council heard about the importance of good soil health at their annual meeting on Dec. 4.

(Distributed 12/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden has renewed its call for entries for the sixth annual Brush with Burden art exhibition.

(Distributed 12/14/15) NEW ORLEANS – Retired LSU AgCenter county agent Keith Fontenot and rice farmer Jimmy Hoppe, of Fenton, Louisiana, were recognized at the USA Rice Outlook Conference for their decades of work in the rice industry.

(Video 12/16/15) During the Christmas season, you will see Christmas cactuses for sale in nurseries, home improvement stores and even supermarkets. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to care for your Christmas cactus during the holiday season and throughout the year to help them do their best for years to come. (Runtime: 01:42)

(Video 12/09/15) Most plants are fertilized during the spring. But on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why some plants need to be fertilized during winter. (Runtime: 01:38)

(Audio 12/14/15) By the time December rolls around, bunching onions that have been planted in the summer or fall are ready to be harvested. Once you've harvested what you need, you can replant the remaining part of the plant. Listen for more information on harvesting onions this winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/14/15) Although most people don't think of apples when they think of fruit trees in Louisiana, it is possible to grow apple trees here. The key is planting varieties that require fewer chill hours and planting them in the winter. Listen for more information on planting apple trees in Louisiana. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/14/15) Around this time of year, gardening catalogs will begin to arrive in the mail. Make sure that you don't get carried away and order unrealistic plants for our Louisiana climate. Listen for more information on ordering from gardening catalogs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/14/15) If you're a Louisiana pecan lover, keep in mind that winter is a great time to plant pecan trees. However, you should first make sure you have enough room for them on your property. Listen for more information on pecan trees in winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/14/15) Deciduous trees are useful in both summer in winter. In the summertime, they provide shade that can keeps us cool. When their leaves drop in the wintertime, they can allow sunlight to come through and warm our homes and landscapes. Listen for more information on deciduous trees in the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Division of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists and the Grain Elevator and Processing Society’s Gulf South Chapter have each established a scholarship for LSU College of Agriculture students.

(Distributed 12/11/15) Nicotianas, or flowering tobacco, are good alternative cool-season bedding plants for south Louisiana.

(Distributed 12/11/15) HAMMOND, La. – Winter is here, and this time of year brings questions about protecting landscape plants during the cold months of December, January and February. The best approach to protecting plants in winter is to pay attention to the weather forecasts and try to know a couple days ahead of time when a freeze is approaching.

(Video 12/09/15) Louisiana is expected to have fewer acres of wheat this year for several reasons. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux tells us why we can expect to see much less of those amber waves of grain across the state. (Runtime: 01:20)

(Video 12/09/15) Go climb a tree was the assignment for a group of students in the LSU College of Agriculture. The task called for use of special techniques. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 01:32)

(Distributed 12/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana homeowners can learn how to keep warm this winter without paying high utility bills at the LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center winter open house on Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Distributed 12/09/15) BOSSIER CITY, La. – Farmers can improve irrigation efficiency by understanding the environmental factors that affect their operation and by using technology to make better decisions, experts with the LSU AgCenter and National Resources Conservation Services said at a workshop held Dec. 8-9.

(Distributed 12/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Turfgrass Association will hold its annual conference Jan. 7, 2016, at Tiger Stadium on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 12/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Winter isn’t the time for gardeners to stop considering pollinators when they work in their gardens.

(Distributed 12/09/15) GONZALES. La. – PCS Nitrogen, a subsidiary of Potash Corporation of Canada, recently made it possible for Ascension Parish students to learn science and math while growing their own food.

(Distributed 12/08/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU College of Agriculture will award the LSU University Medal posthumously to Lutrill Payne Sr. at its December commencement ceremony on Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. in the Maddox Fieldhouse.

(Distributed 12/08/15) LAKE CHARLES, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold a meeting Dec. 15 for crawfish producers to present information on research-based practices to improve their crop.

(Distributed 12/08/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – A one-day workshop focusing on fish identification to help fisheries professionals expand their ichthyology knowledge was held Dec. 5 at the LSU AgCenter School of Renewable Natural Resources.

(Distributed 12/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Production at the LSU AgCenter Food Incubator has more than doubled this year. Tenants made more than 44 tons of their unique food products at the incubator in 2015, up from 21 tons in 2014.

(Audio 12/07/15) If you have tropical plants in your landscape, it's a good idea to pay attention to the temperature during the winter. However, make sure the temperature you're paying attention to isn't the wind chill temperature. Listen for more information on protecting your plants against cold weather. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/07/15) Louisiana gardeners are fortunate to have a suitable climate for growing camellias. These beautiful and hardy flowers require minimal maintenance during the winter. Listen for more information on caring for camellias this season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/07/15) Although Louisiana's mild winters allow weeds to flourish, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent them from getting out of hand. Be sure to keep your beds well-mulched and apply weed killers in mild weather. Listen for more information on preventing weeds this winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/07/15) During the Louisiana winter, many plants put on a nice display of color in their foliage before shedding their leaves. Keep an eye out for plants such as dwarf nandinas, junipers, and azaleas. Listen for more information on color changes in plant foliage in the wintertime. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/07/15) During the wintertime, we tend to move tropical plants indoors to keep them safe from the cold. Ensure that these plants, in addition to your usual indoor plants, receive sufficient sunlight and are kept away from hot air vents. Listen for more information on caring for indoor plants in the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/04/15) Pansies are the “decoration of winter landscapes” in the South. With a multitude of flower colors and sizes, these are durable and well-justified cool-season bedding plants for November through April.

(Distributed 12/04/15) HAMMOND, La. – We’re approaching winter in Louisiana, and this is the time when crape myrtle pruning becomes commonplace. Unfortunately, these are among the most abused trees in Louisiana’s residential and commercial landscapes.

(Distributed 12/04/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – A key provision of a sweeping reform to American food safety laws will take effect in January 2016, requiring produce growers to take more steps to prevent contamination.

(Distributed 12/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La – Nearly 100 LSU College of Agriculture students were recognized for their academic achievement at the college’s Honors Convocation on Nov. 19 at the LSU Club at Union Square.

(Distributed 12/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences will conduct a workshop for acidified foods processors in on Jan. 12-13.

(Distributed 12/03/15) CROWLEY, La. – South Louisiana rice farmers wrapped up their rice growing season with an excellent second crop harvest.

(Distributed 12/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – December marks the start of the strawberry harvest season in Louisiana. “Louisiana strawberries are delicious whether produced on a Louisiana farm or in your backyard,” said LSU AgCenter fruit and vegetable specialist Kiki Fontenot. “Fresh-picked berries that have fully ripened on the bush are amazing.”

(Distributed 12/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – As people embark on Christmas shopping trips at crowded stores, some entrepreneurs are reaping the benefits of a trend toward giving locally made food items as gifts. Tenants in the LSU AgCenter Food Incubator have been ramping up production since the fall to meet holiday demand.

(Distributed 12/02/15) HAMMOND, La. – Home gardeners and industry professionals are invited to attend the annual conference of the Louisiana State Horticulture Society (LSHS) at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station on Jan. 13, 2016.

(Distributed 12/02/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – If you have someone on your shopping list whose interests run from gardening to gourmet, the LSU AgCenter has a couple of gift ideas.

(Distributed 12/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a series of seasonal children’s garden activities at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden beginning in December.

(Video 11/25/15) A new sensory analysis center on LSU’s campus can provide evaluation, testing and consumer research on food products, pharmaceuticals, fragrances and textiles. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard says the center can handle a range of testing needs. (Runtime: 01:39)

(Distributed 12/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Going in search of the perfect Christmas tree can be an annual event enjoyed by the entire family.

(Distributed 12/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The seventh annual Arbor Day at Burden in the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Festivities will be held at the Barton Arboretum, celebrating the restoration of the James Wandersee Palmetto Walk, the Mosaic Black Swamp Boardwalk and the Early American Camellia Collection.

(Distributed 12/01/15) JONESVILLE, La. – The LSU AgCenter, National Audubon Society and Louisiana Delta Adventures will host an ecotourism workshop on Dec. 16 at the Honey Brake Lodge in Jonesville.

(Distributed 11/30/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Some north Louisiana 4-H members had never been to New Orleans, but as winners of the Louisiana 4-H educational award they explored sights in the “Big Easy” and Baton Rouge as a reward for their hard work.

(For Release On 12/25/15) Pruning is one gardening job that often is neglected because gardeners are not exactly sure what to do. There is a great deal of confusion about how to prune, when to do it and even why pruning is done. As a result, pruning is often delayed until radical and extensive pruning is required.

(For Release On 12/04/15) As cold winter weather begins to settle in over the state, we can expect freezing temperatures in the 20s and even occasionally the teens for the next few months. And cold weather brings concerns for tropical plants in our landscapes.

(For Release On 12/18/15) The pace of things tends to slow down a bit this time of year in the garden. Although we may continue to plant, prepare beds, harvest winter vegetables and enjoy cool-season flowers, most gardeners find this a more relaxed time of year.

(For Release On 12/11/15) Paperwhite and amaryllis are two bulbs that are popular for forcing during winter in Louisiana. Forcing bulbs means growing them to bloom earlier than they would under normal landscape conditions. Paperwhite bulbs and amaryllis bulbs are commonly available from November to late December. Forcing them to bloom during winter is not difficult, and the results are beautiful.

(Distributed 11/30/15) New to the plant market a few years back, the great October Magic series of Camellia hiemalis was developed by Bobby Green of Green Nurseries in Fairhope, Alabama. These are in the Southern Living Plant Collection.

(Distributed 11/25/15) FARMERVILLE, La. – A group of Louisiana 4-H members competed at the North American International Livestock Exposition held in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 7-20.

(Distributed 11/25/15) HAMMOND, La. – Plucking fresh fruit from your own orchard can be a delicious way to add beauty and taste to your home landscape. The best time to plant fruit trees in Louisiana is now through January. Plant now, and you can pick your own fruit at home later.

(Audio 11/30/15) When choosing a Christmas tree, make sure it's still fairly fresh. You can buy a tree that has already been cut, or you can cut your own at a Louisiana Christmas tree farm. Listen for more information on choosing a Christmas tree this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/30/15) Don't forget that our mild Louisiana winters allow us to grow vegetables year-round. Try growing beets, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale and other vegetables this time of year. Listen for more information on caring for winter vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/30/15) During wintertime, gardening activities slow down significantly. This means that a lot of our gardening equipment is going to be in storage. Listen for information on properly storing your tools this winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/30/15) Hurry up and plant some cool-season bedding plants in your flower garden before it's too late. Look for plants such as pansies, snapdragons and violas to add to your cool-season garden. Listen for more information on cool-season bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/30/15) At this time of year, many people enjoy decorating their homes with holiday plants. Try adding some poinsettias or a Christmas cactus to your holiday decorations this year. Listen for more information on caring for holiday plants this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The holidays are upon us, and scores of poinsettias are available in stores and garden centers throughout Louisiana.

(Distributed 11/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has issued a call for entries for photographs for its 2017 Get It Growing calendar to give photographers an opportunity to have their photos selected for the next edition.

(Distributed 11/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – An LSU AgCenter aquaculture researcher has obtained a new $150,000 grant from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to find out the nutrient requirements of alligators.

(Video 11/30/15) The firespike is a tropical plant with lush green leaves, topped with blazing red blooms that reach upward. It’s a favorite of hummingbirds. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to care for this distinguished fall perennial. (Runtime: 01:40)

(Video 12/07/15) Turk’s cap can be used to fill a large portion of your landscape and grab attention. In the fall, it displays countless brilliant red blooms. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to care for this strikingly vibrant plant. (Runtime: 01:54)

(Distributed 11/23/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Professionals in the plant materials industry are invited to the Louisiana Plant Materials Conference at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on Dec. 8.

(Distributed 11/23/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Families and friends gather during the holidays to share stories, laughter and, of course, food. LSU AgCenter food safety specialist Wenqing Xu said cooks also should make it a goal this year to share good food safety practices.

(Distributed 11/23/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Nominations for inductees into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction are being accepted now through Dec. 15. Selected individuals will be recognized during a banquet at L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge on March 17, 2016.

(Distributed 11/20/15) Ornamental kale and cabbage are becoming increasingly popular as fall bedding plants for Louisiana. These plants have feathery leaves of robust colors that make them well-suited for landscape and container plantings.

(Distributed 11/20/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Several Louisiana 4-H students placed in contests held during the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 18 and 19.

(Distributed 11/.20/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – For the fourth year in a row, costs for a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10 people have increased on items such as pumpkin pie mix, pie shells, rolls and turkey, according to a supermarket survey of Baton Rouge retailers conducted by LSU AgCenter area nutrition agent Quincy Cheek. The survey was conducted Nov. 9-13.

(Distributed 11/20/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – As fall turns to winter, Burden Museum & Gardens offers many activities to help keep schedules for the holidays and beyond.

(Distributed 11/20/15) HAMMOND, La. – You can include in your landscape many trees and shrubs that will provide significant color in fall and winter year after year. Although decidedly less than spectacular this far south, late November and early December are when the leaves of some deciduous trees turn various colors as they get ready to drop.

(Distributed 11/18/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Morgan Richard, a senior in the LSU College of Agriculture from Elton, Louisiana, is the recipient of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board’s highest scholarship, the James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship.

(Distributed 11/17/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – As the 78th annual Block and Bridle Rodeo at LSU approaches, some student cowboys and cowgirls are spending this week practicing their roping skills. Others are working up the courage to ride a bull.

(Distributed 11/1/7/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a poinsettia open house and sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 4 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden, located at 4560 Essen Lane near the junction of I-10 in Baton Rouge.

(Audio 11/16/15) Potted amaryllis bulbs need to be kept inside during the winter months to avoid damaging the plants. Once April rolls around, it will be time to find the perfect location for these flowers in your garden bed. Listen for more information on caring for amaryllis plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/16/15) Root crops are an important part of our winter vegetable gardens. Be sure you take note of which vegetables need to be direct seeded and how each vegetable should be harvested. Listen for more information on winter root crops. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana shoppers should find plenty of turkeys in grocery stores for Thanksgiving, said LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Theresia Lavergne.

(Audio 11/23/15) Are you looking for a large vine that grows profusely, while offering beautiful flowers? Then the blue skyflower vine might fit your needs. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how the skyflower, which blooms in both summer and fall, might be a good choice for your landscape. (Runtime: 01:37)

(Video 11/16/15) Camellias are attractive shrubs that come in various colors and varieties. The Leslie Ann camellia sasanqua has been recognized by the LSU AgCenter as a Louisiana Super Plant. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces us to the tough and beautiful Leslie Ann – a plant that produces scores of buds that flower beautifully in the fall. (Runtime: 01:47)

(Video 11/09/15) Occasionally, you’ll find plants that are both beautiful and functional. Mexican tarragon is one of them. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how this herb has it all — beautiful flowers and flavorful foliage. (Runtime: 01:53)

(Distributed 11/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of scientists from the LSU AgCenter and Southern University AgCenter received a grant of $480,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Foundational Programs to conduct research and outreach activities in the area of grass-fed beef production.

(Audio 11/16/15) We need to be vigilante about protecting our camellias from tea scale insects. These pests can cause leaves to turn yellow on the surface but can be controlled with a horticultural oil spray or insecticide. Listen for more information on controlling tea scale insects in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/16/15) Chrysanthemums are great plants to use for Thanksgiving decorations. For longer lasting plants, try to choose the chrysanthemums with flowers that are not fully in bloom yet. Listen for more information on choosing the right chrysanthemums for you. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/16/15) One advantage to living in the Deep South is that our mild winters allow us to have a year-round growing season for bedding plants and vegetables. Try adding cool-season bedding plants such as pansies, violas, snapdragons, ornamental kale or ornamental cabbage to your garden now. Listen for more information on gardening during the cool season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/16/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The 2015 Louisiana soybean crop was not as good as in recent years, but the results were better than expected after weather extremes of flood and drought.

(Distributed 11/13/15) Leslie Ann camellia joins the list of Louisiana Super Plant selections this fall.

(Distributed 11/13/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter recently updated an online directory with current information about forest products companies in Louisiana.

(Distributed 11/13/15) HAMMOND, La. – Camellia season is here, and camellias are one of our popular evergreen shrubs. We typically think of azaleas for spring flowers, crape myrtles for summer flowers and camellias for fall and winter flowers in Louisiana.

(Distributed 11/12/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – After years of civil war and a struggling economy, farmers and entrepreneurs in Liberia are learning the skills they need for success with help from LSU AgCenter experts and others that are part of a federally funded project.

(Video 11/11/15) Sugarcane producers had an exceptional start to their harvest, but recent rains have dealt them a setback. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux explains how this year’s crop is shaping up. (Runtime: 01:38)

(Video 11/11/12) Rice farmers across southwest Louisiana are beginning to harvest their ratoon or second crop of rice. This year’s second crop is looking very good, and LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux gives an update. (Runtime: 01:34)

(Distributed 11/12/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Growing crops among trees in a managed forest can contribute to rural economic development, a group of LSU AgCenter researchers said during a presentation recently at the national convention of the Society of American Foresters.

(Video 11/02/15) Sunflowers are blooming now. But there’s another type of sunflower you might not know about. It’s called Mexican sunflower, and it blooms beautifully in the fall. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why this tall native of Mexico can make a great addition to your landscape. (Runtime: 01:49)

(Distributed 11/06/15) Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) is a dual-purpose shrub for the landscape. Rabbiteye blueberries are LSU AgCenter Louisiana Super Plants.

(Audio 11/09/15) If you're having trouble finding plants that will do well in shade during the cool season, try planting Swan columbines, foxgloves or primroses. These plants come in a variety of colors and can produce some beautiful flowers. Listen for more information on shade tolerant plants in the cool season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/09/15) The Leslie Ann sasanqua plant is a camellia that has been selected as a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2015. These plants have smaller flowers and leaves than camellia japonicas and bloom in the fall. Consider adding some Leslie Ann sasanquas to your garden this fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/09/15) Although perennials can survive year round for several years, they don't always look attractive. Cut back any untidy or tired-looking perennials and add mulch to their beds. Listen for more information on handling perennials this fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/09/15) Due to the length and temperatures of our fall season, it is possible to grow warm-season vegetables this season. Several vegetables, specifically tomatoes, can easily produce a crop in the fall. Listen for more information on warm-season vegetables in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/09/15) A Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2015, homestead purple verbena, is an excellent flowering perennial to plant in your garden. These low-growing plants have evergreen foliage and will bloom for you in fall, spring and early summer. Listen for more information on homestead purple verbena. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/02/15) Although fallen leaves in your landscape can be a hassle, deciduous trees dropping their leaves can be advantageous for us. Shade trees losing leaves means more direct sunlight and heat generated in the cooler months. Listen for more information on deciduous leaf loss in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/02/15) As fall kicks into high gear, it may surprise you to see yellow and orange leaves on your evergreen trees. This is normal, so don't be alarmed when your gardenias, citrus trees, hibiscuses, or azaleas begin to lose their yellowing leaves. Listen for more information on evergreen trees in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/02/15) November is the perfect month to buy some spring-flowering bulbs for your garden. Visit your local nursery and look for plants such as daffodils, hyacinths and anemones. Listen for more information on planting spring flowering bulbs this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/02/15) There's nothing like the sweet taste of lettuce that has been harvested right out of your own garden. Lettuce plants can be grown from direct seed, transplants, or in pots. Listen for more information on growing fresh lettuce in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/02/15) Despite the chilly weather, November is still a great time to plant vegetables in your garden. Some of these vegetables include beets, carrots, radish, spinach, kale, and many more. Listen for more information on growing winter vegetables in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/04/15) BOSSIER CITY, La. – A devastating disease of roses called rose rosette disease caused by Rose rosette virus has been confirmed for the first time in Louisiana by LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings and AgCenter “Plant Doctor” Raj Singh.

(Distributed 11/06/15) HAMMOND, La. – November is prime time for cool-season bedding plants, and dianthus have been among the plants in this group gaining considerable popularity the past 10-15 years. Pansies have long been the most popular cool-season bedding plant, but many new dianthus varieties are making this great, under-used cool-season flower better known to home gardeners.

(Distributed 11/06/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold workshops in Bossier City, Winnsboro and Marksville to educate farmers, crop consultants and other agriculture industry professionals about sustainable row crop irrigation practices.

(Distributed 11/06/15) CROWLEY, La. – Family, friends and former co-workers gathered Nov. 4 for the renaming of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station for the late H. Rouse Caffey in recognition of his dedication to the rice industry and Louisiana agriculture.

(Distributed 11/06/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana gardeners and others have a chance to “Get It Growing” next year with the publication of the 2016 calendar from the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 11/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Every day for six weeks, Ariel Bergeron goes to the LSU AgCenter poultry research facility to feed and water quail. Bergeron, a senior in the LSU College of Agriculture, is studying nutrition requirements of quail less than six weeks old.

Figure 1: Witch’s broom symptoms caused by rose rosette disease on Knock Out rose in Bossier City. (Photo by Raj Singh, LSU AgCenter) Figure 2: Excessive thorns that are soft and green on infected new growth of Knock Out rose in Bossier City. (Photo by Raj Singh, LSU AgCenter) Figure 3: Thicker daughter cane (right) compared to parent cane (left) on an infected rose in Bossier City. (Photo by Raj Singh, LSU AgCenter) Figure 4: Reddening of new foliage and shoots caused by rose rosette dise

(Distributed 11/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences will conduct two food safety workshops for seafood processors in December.

(Distributed 11/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Natália Antošová wants to help LSU students have a similar experience to the one she is having.

(Distributed 11/04/15) ST. GABRIEL, La. – When the sugarcane harvest in Louisiana started in late September, growers were harvesting upright stalks, enjoying exceptional sugar recovery levels and fighting dusty conditions in the field.

(Distributed 11/02/15) POLLOCK, La. – After years of wishing, planning and fundraising, the multipurpose pavilion at the LSU AgCenter Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center became reality Oct. 31 with a dedication and ribbon cutting.

Students learn the importance of agriculture to the Louisiana economy by touring AgMagic at the Louisiana State Fair.

(Distributed 11/02/15) SHREVEPORT, La. – It’s not just your normal walk in the woods where bugs and wildlife rule. It’s a journey through a world where youth can learn healthy eating from super heroes who teach about nutrition, watch chicks hatch, look at soil through microscopes, as well as learn about science, engineering and technology.

(For Release On 11/27/15) Insect outbreaks on indoor plants can be disastrous. Indoors, insect pests can reproduce rapidly and cause tremendous damage because of the indoor environment. There is no rain to wash them off the plants, the temperatures are never too warm or too cold, and no natural predators live inside to help control insect populations once they get started.

(For Release On 11/20/15) This is the time to plant cool-season bedding plants in your flower beds. These plants will thrive in the cool to cold weather of fall to spring and keep your flower beds looking attractive.

(For Release On 11/06/15) Various species of camellia brighten our fall, winter and spring landscapes with beautiful flowers. An outstanding Camellia sasanqua cultivar called Leslie Ann has been named a Louisiana Super Plants selection by the LSU AgCenter.

(For Release On 11/13/15) The vegetables we grow in Louisiana during the cool season are some of the most delicious and nutritious that our home gardens can produce. Many of the vegetables we planted in late summer and early fall are now ready to harvest – or will be soon. It is important to harvest vegetables at the proper stage for best results, so here are a few guidelines for some common cool-season crops.

(Distributed 10/30/15) Gulf Coast muhly – or pink muhly grass (known botanically as Muhlenbergia capillaris) – is one of the most stunning grasses in the fall landscape in Louisiana. This coastal native ornamental grass has received a considerable amount of attention the past few years.

(Distributed 10/30/15) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Super Plants program is completing its sixth year of plant announcements. The objective of this program is to identify and promote exceptional plants that perform well in Louisiana landscapes.

(Video 10/28/15) Soon, kitchens across the country will be preparing holiday meals, and one dish will almost certainly include sweet potatoes. Louisiana sweet potato farmers are busy making sure that area supermarkets are well-stocked with this holiday staple. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:49)

(Video 10/28/15) S’mores and satsumas were on the menu for an evening away from campus for a group of LSU freshmen studying agriculture. The students toured a research facility giving them a view of farming in an urban setting. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard took the tour too and has this report. (Runtime: 01:30)

(Distributed 10/28/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter and LSU College of Agriculture have named Michael Salassi head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. Salassi has served on the faculty of the department for 21 years and is the J. Nelson Fairbanks Endowed Professor for Agricultural Economics.

(Distributed 10/27/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – With several success stories to tell, Louisiana is poised to become a major player in the bioproducts industry, speakers said during a bioenergy conference held by the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 10/26/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will welcome children to decorate their own gingerbread houses during What’s Cooking at Burden on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

(Distributed 10/23/15) Want to add color to your fall, winter and early spring garden? Plant some colorful Sorbet series violas.

(Distributed 10/23/15) HAMMOND, La. – Fall is here, and it is a great time to add new ornamental plants to your landscape.

(Distributed 10/22/15) GRAMMERCY, La. – Over 800 St. James Parish students attended the St. James Parish Ag Day on Oct. 15 to learn where their favorite foods come from and to get up close and personal with animals, said LSU AgCenter 4-H agent Tara Roussel.

(Audio 10/26/15) When your leaves begin to drop in the fall, try using them as mulch for your plants or organic material for compost instead of throwing them away. If you choose to compost, allow the leaves to sit for six months to a year. Listen for more information on using fallen leaves this season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/26/15) In the fall, Louisiana wildflowers put on a grand and colorful display for us. Be sure to look around and notice all of the beautiful flowers such as asters, sunflowers, and goldenrods. Listen for more information on Louisiana wildflowers in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/26/15) It's time to begin winterizing your lawns by adding potassium to help them remain hardy through the cold weather. Although this process is optional, it can help your lawn remain healthy this winter. Listen for information on how to choose the right winterizer for your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/26/15) Summer storms and hurricanes can cause tree limbs to break and become hazards in your landscape. Be sure to look at your trees and call an arborist if any pruning or limb removal needs to be done. Listen for more information on tree care. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/26/15) There are several kinds of herbs that can be planted and will flourish during the cold season. Some of these hardy herbs include celery, cilantro, dill, and parsley. Listen for more information on planting herbs that will tolerate the cold. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/21/15) AMITE, La. – Being good stewards of the land and producing a quality beef product is a goal of cattle producers.

(Distributed 10/22/15) WISNER, La. – Louisiana sweet potato producers have seen both ends of the spectrum in terms of the weather this year. An unusually wet spring delayed planting and has evolved into an exceptionally dry fall that has caused some growers to halt their harvest and wait for rain.

(Audio 10/19/15) Now is an great time to plant hardy fruit trees in your landscape. Apple, plum, blackberry, blueberry, and pecan trees are among the trees that flourish when planted in the fall. Listen for more information on adding fruit trees to your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/19/15) Although growing broccoli is relatively easy, harvesting can sometimes be tricky. The size of the flower buds on the head can help gardeners determine when broccoli is ready for harvest. Listen for more information on this cool-season vegetable. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/19/15) Now is a great time to add some hardy shrubs to your landscape. Consider planting such as roses, camellias, or azaleas. Listen for more information on planting hardy shrubs in your landscape this fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/19/15) Although hydrangeas are deciduous, Louisiana gardeners love to use these plants because of their unique ability to change colors. Depending on the composition of the soil, these flowers can be anywhere from pink to blue. Listen for more information on colorful hydrangeas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/19/15) Once caladiums have gone dormant, digging up their tubers and storing them over the winter can help ensure that they last their longest. Although it is possible for these tubers to survive in the ground, storing them provides a better chance of survival. Listen for more information on storing caladium tubers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/19/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center will host a fall open house on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Distributed 10/16/15) HAMMOND, La. –The landscape horticulture field day at the Hammond Research Station on Oct. 8 featured a diversity of activity and allowed the staff to show off some of the latest plants being grown.

(Distributed 10/16/15) Louisiana gardeners are always looking for attractive trees for the landscape. The sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is an excellent native tree that is not nearly as well known as it should be. The variety chosen as a Louisiana Super Plant selection last fall is the evergreen type, Magnolia virginiana var. australis, which retains its leaves through winter.

(Distributed 10/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU graduate students in agriculture are expanding their knowledge and enhancing their collegiate experiences by participating in internships.

(Distributed 10/16/15) HAMMOND, La. – Since the debut of a landscape horticulture research and extension program at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station eight years ago, we have continued to expand the research gardens. One of the largest efforts each year is evaluating new annual warm-season bedding plants and perennial flowers in the sun garden and shade garden.

(Distributed 10/16/15) BATON ROUGE , La. – Casey Kenny considers cats her first love. The freshman in the LSU College of Agriculture wants to work with small animals, exotics and wildlife as a veterinarian, but she plans to work toward finding a cure for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus while in college.

(Video 10/26/15) Fall means some nice colors on trees and plants in Louisiana. If you’re one who complains there’s not enough color, you can do something about it. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill shows you some plants that can make your landscape or your patio burst with those warm fall shades of orange, red and gold. (Runtime: 01:40)

(Video 10/19/15) Now is a great time to plant hardy shrubs. Maybe one of the best-smelling of all those shrubs is the gardenia. But as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out on this edition of Get It Growing, if you want those great smells from nice, white flowers in the spring, you want to avoid pruning your gardenias at this time. (Runtime: 01:42)

(Video 10/14/15) Levees are designed to protect communities across Louisiana. The engineering of levees helps make them strong, but agriculture plays a role in keeping them strong. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 01:46)

(Video 09/30/15) Louisiana cotton farmers have begun picking their crop. What they are finding is disappointing on two fronts, lower yields than last year and low prices. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report. (Runtime: 01:33)

(Video 09/16/15) Louisiana is an important refueling stop in the hummingbird’s winter migration, and one Baton Rouge backyard has a lot of fuel for the tiny birds. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited Luke Laborde’s home with a group of LSU students studying Louisiana wildlife. (Runtime: 01: 53)

(Distributed 10/15/15) SHREVEPORT, La. – The metropolitan area of Shreveport and Bossier City suffers from a problem becoming increasingly common in Louisiana – lack of significant access to nutritious food.

(Distributed 10/14/15) ST. GABRIEL, La. – Louisiana sugar producers may one day have a new market for their crops.

(Distributed 10/08/15) NEW ORLEANS, La.—Kabrel Johnson, a student at KIPP Central City Academy and a 4-H club member, was busy putting Newton’s Laws of Motion to the test.

(Distributed 10/12/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – A recently constructed boardwalk guiding visitors through a hardwood swamp called Black Swamp at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will play a key role in a new wetlands education program.

Looking for some of the best of the multi-seasonal flowering azaleas? Look no further than the Encore azaleas – the “azalea that knows no season.”

(Distributed 10/09/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Graduation for 22 people who completed the LSU AgCenter Master Cattleman program was held Thursday (Oct. 8) during the Dean Lee Research Station Beef Cattle and Forage Field Day.

(Distributed 10/9/15) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station was one of the stops for the International Plant Propagators’ Society as they toured gardens from Louisiana to Florida on their four- state tour.

(Distributed 10/09/15) HINESTON, La. – For the past 26 years the 4-H Teen Leader Club in Rapides Parish has hatched eggs in an incubator for a display at the Rapides Parish Fair.

(Distributed 10/09/15) HAMMOND, La. – Fall is here, and the LSU AgCenter along with the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association and other groups encourage you to add new plants to your landscape at this time of year. There’s no better horticultural time than now.

(Distributed 10/08/15) SHREVEPORT, La. – AgMagic, the LSU AgCenter’s interactive exhibit about Louisiana agriculture, returns to the State Fair of Louisiana on Oct. 22 and will be open through Nov. 8. The hours for the free event are between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

(Distributed 10/08/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 100 volunteers monitored people in the corn maze, managed the giant slingshot and hay mountain, served refreshments, oversaw the pumpkin-painting area and contributed much more as hundreds of families visited the opening day of the Corn Maze Festival at Burden on Oct. 3.

(Distributed 09/21/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Friends of the LSU Textile and Costume Museum will hold its Your Friends’ Closet Sale on Oct. 10 in the LSU AgCenter 4-H Mini Farm near Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 10/05/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Students at LSU have a little over one month of the new academic year under their belts. And for seven international graduate students, it is the beginning of a long process – earning their doctorates, then returning home with hopes of sparking much-needed change in farming practices and policies.

(Audio 10/5/15) Drift roses, a Louisiana Super Plant selection for fall 2013, are nice low-growing and compact plants. They come in a variety of colors and are practically covered in flowers when they bloom. Listen for more information on planting Drift roses in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/05/15) Although lawn growth is beginning to slow down, the spread of disease is not. Watch your lawn for signs of brown patch, especially if your grass is St. Augustine. Listen for more information on how to treat brown patch in your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/05/15) October is the time to focus on cool-season vegetables. Cole crops such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage can be planted from transplants. Other crops such as radish, carrots, turnip greens and lettuce and be planted directly from seeds. Listen for more information on cool-season vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/05/15) Perennials are great plants that keep coming back and growing year after year. Although most of these plants are done blooming right now, don't remove them from your garden because they will come back next year. Listen for more information on growing perennials in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/05/15) If you look around, you can easily find natural decorations that can be used around your house from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Leaves, seed pods and grass plumes are just a few nature-made decorations that can be used this cool season. Listen for more information on using natural decorations. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/02/15) The Chinese pistache (Pistachio chinensis) is a medium-sized ornamental shade tree known for spectacular orange, red and crimson fall foliage. Its fall color is great in Louisiana from early November through mid-December in most years.

(Distributed 10/02/15) HAMMOND, La – One of the great flowers that continues to be popular in our Louisiana landscapes is perennial verbena.

(Distributed 10/02/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – At the Red Stick Food Swap, cooks and crafters share their wares with fellow swappers. Items must be homemade or homegrown, and if it is a food item, prepared safely.

(Distributed 10/02/15) LAFAYETTE, La. – Consumers who want locally grown food have expanded the market for selling vegetables and other agricultural products to restaurants and groceries, LSU AgCenter experts advised small producers here Wednesday (Sept. 30).

(Video 10/12/15) Swiss chard is a cool-season vegetable that can provide colorful ornamentation to a landscape. And as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get it Growing, Swiss chard doesn’t only look good — every part of the plant also offers tasty nutrition. (Runtime: 01:55)

(Video 10/05/15) If you plant most cool-season bedding plants too early during this seasonal transition, they could be affected by lingering heat. But on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill describes a handful of cool-season plants that you can plant now because they don’t mind the heat. (Runtime: 01:52)

(Video 09/30/15) Food safety should always be a priority in any cooks kitchen, but it becomes more important when food is being shared with others. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited the Red Stick Food Swap, a free swap event in Baton Rouge to talk food safety. (Runtime: 01:37)

(Distributed 10/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has been awarded a two-year, $1.25 million grant that will fund research and outreach projects aimed at reducing obesity and chronic diseases in three rural Louisiana parishes – Madison, St. Helena and Tensas.

(Distributed 09/29/15) PORT ALLEN, La. – As a group of 4-H’ers and leaders filled their plates with pasta, vegetables and cake, another group sat on the floor in the back of the room, debating how to divide a single bowl of plain noodles.

(For Release On 10/30/15) As the weather cools down and nights get nippy over the next few weeks, gardeners need to decide what to do with their outdoor container tropical plants. These beautiful plants, grown for their attractive foliage or beautiful flowers, are commonly placed outside for the summer where they provide a valuable addition to decks, patios and porches. However, these plants will not withstand freezing temperatures and must be brought inside the house for the winter.

(For Release On 10/23/15) The seasons are changing, and we are entering a transitional period in the flower garden when warm-season bedding plants begin to fade and cool-season bedding plants are planted to provide fall, winter and spring color.

(For Release On 10/16/15) Cooler mornings in October make it a joy to get out and work in the home vegetable garden. A number of delicious and nutritious vegetables will thrive in the coming cool season. Indeed, some of our favorite vegetables can only be grown in October through April in Louisiana.

(For Release On 10/09/15) We are entering the prime planting season for hardy trees, shrubs, ground covers and perennials in Louisiana, which runs through early March. That makes this a great time for planning landscaping projects.

(For Release On 10/02/15) Louisiana gardeners have long been familiar with verbenas. These generally low-growing plants produce clusters of showy flowers in a wide variety of colors. Homestead Purple verbena is considered one of the very best, and it has been selected as a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2015.

(Distributed 09/28/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Burden Horticulture Society and the East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association have each made a donation to the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden for a new welcome center.

(Audio 09/28/15) According to NASA, indoor houseplants can help clean the air circulating in your house. Plants such as indoor ivy, spider plants, and peace lilies are some of the most effective agents in cleaning household air. Listen for more information on adding houseplants to improve your air. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/28/15) Although it's difficult to predict rainfall, it's reasonable to assume that October will be a relatively dry month. With this in mind, pay special attention to watering anything that has been newly-planted. Listen for more information on keeping plants healthy and watered in October. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/28/15) If you need to plant or repair your lawn, you should do that within the next few weeks. Don't forget to cut away dead areas when repairing and properly grade the soil when planting. Listen for more information on repairing and planting lawns. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/28/15) There has been growing concern over the decreasing number of monarch butterflies over the past few years. We can do our part to help by planting nectar plants to provide nourishment for these butterflies on their long journey to Mexico. Listen for more information on helping the monarch butterfly population. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/25/15) MANGHAM, La. – Current and future cattle producers attending the Northeast Beef and Forage field day at Goldmine Plantation on Sept. 17 heard the latest information on how to improve profits in their industry.

Of all the perennial verbenas on the market today, the outstanding variety continues to be Homestead Purple.

(Distributed 09/25/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Researchers should be integrating information science with applied plant breeding to serve a growing world population, a leading plant geneticist said during a plant biology symposium Thursday (Sept. 24).

(Distributed 09/25/15) HAMMOND, La. – Golden dewdrops is a common name for durantas, also known as sky flowers

(Distributed 09/25/15) CHASE, La. – More than 200 students from 12 parishes in northeast Louisiana watched sweet potatoes being planted and heard about beef and forage production, and careers in agriculture. It was all part of the LSU AgCenter second annual Northeast Region youth field day at the AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station on Sept. 23.

(Distributed 09/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – If you had asked teenager Norma Roberts to consider a career in 4-H, she might have laughed. She was a 4-H member in Eunice, but because she wasn’t interested in livestock, Roberts dropped out.

(Distributed 09/23/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Six Chinese dairy industry professionals are visiting the LSU AgCenter as part of a two-week (Sept. 12 to 26) U.S. Department of Agriculture training program.

(Audio 09/28/15) Tropical hibiscuses are beautiful summer-flowering shrubs that come with a couple problems. This tropical plant is vulnerable to cold weather and bud drop. Listen for information on how to ensure that your tropical hibiscuses flourish this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/21/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold a conference on bioenergy and bioproducts on Oct. 21 to help Louisiana producers and residents become more acquainted with the bioenergy industry.

(Distributed 09/21/15) BATON ROUGE, La – LSU College of Agriculture students helped transform areas of a preschool playground into gardens.

(Distributed 09/21/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will offer classes in October that address new residential energy code requirements for Louisiana contractors, builders, inspectors and prospective code verifiers.

(Video 09/28/15) Small, colorful shrubs can add nice variety to a yard or garden. The Lime Sizzler firebush is particularly impressive at lighting up a landscape. And as LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing, the Lime Sizzler is also disease and insect free. (Runtime: 01:43)

(Audio 09/21/15) Over the years, Louisiana irises will get crowded, which may cause flowers to diminish. This problem can be solved by dividing your irises. Listen for more instructions on separating and cultivating Louisiana irises. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/21/15) October is the perfect time to think about adding garlic to your garden. Although it may take a while for this plant to produce, it is extremely easy to grow. Listen for more information on planting and growing garlic. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/21/15) This time of year is still a good time to evaluate if and where you need shade trees in your landscape. Try to plant these trees to the south, west, or southwest in order to receive optimal shade. Listen for more information on planting shade trees in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/21/15) We’re about to start the fall season, and it’s a great time of year to plant Homestead Purple verbena. It’s an LSU AgCenter Louisiana Super Plant selection for 2015. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why this beautiful and tough verbena is worthy of the Super Plant title. (Runtime: 01:30)

(Audio 09/21/15) Now is a good time to evaluate your garden beds in order to decide which plants you would and would not like to use in the following years. Taking pictures and writing notes are just two methods of assessing your beds. Listen for more information on evaluation of garden beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/21/15) Despite the fact that azaleas are relatively pest free, azalea lace bugs are the most common problem for these plants. These pests cover azalea foliage in white specks until they look faded or tan. Listen for more information on azalea lace bugs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/18/15) Firebush, also called firecracker plant, also is known by the scientific name Hamelia patens.

(Distributed 09/18/15) HAMMOND, La. – Fall is the time of year when we include gardening maintenance and upkeep in our list of outdoor activities. Fall is also a great time to add new plants to the landscape. Many home gardeners also mulch new plantings or add new mulch to older, established plantings before winter.

(Distributed 09/18/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden has announced the call for entries for the sixth annual Brush with Burden art exhibition.

(Distributed 09/17/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center will host the third annual Beef Cattle and Forage Field Day on Oct. 8.

(Video 09/16/15) Farmers across Louisiana are busy harvesting soybeans, Louisiana’s largest crop in terms of acreage. Last year was a record yield for producers, but this year’s growing conditions were less kind. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report. (Runtime: 01:34)

(Distributed 09/16/15) CAMERON, La. – It’s been a decade since Hurricane Rita ripped through southwest Louisiana, and recovery has been a long, difficult process for many who have lived in the coastal area.

(Distributed 09/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The 30th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to discuss all aspects of tomato pathogens and disease management, said LSU AgCenter extension plant pathologist Melanie Lewis Ivey.

(Distributed 09/14/15) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners Association have scheduled a fall garden workshop series on Sept. 30, Oct. 28 and Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(Audio 09/14/15) If you placed plants in pots earlier this summer, it's extremely likely that they have become root-bound. Check your potted plants and move root-bound plants into larger containers with fresh soil. Listen for more information on repotting plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/14/15) Instead of wasting all of the organic matter that your landscape produces, try creating a compost pile out of things like grass clippings and fallen leaves. After leaving compost sitting for a year, it should be ready to use in your landscape. Listen for more information on creating a compost pile. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/11/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will hold its annual landscape horticulture industry field day for nursery, landscape and garden center professionals on Oct. 8.

(Distributed 09/11/15) Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is one of our best fall-flowering perennial salvias for Louisiana. This is one of the salvias that folks grew before others became more popular.

(Distributed 09/11/15) LAFAYETTE, La. – The Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association recognized Ernest Girouard of the LSU AgCenter recently (Sept. 11) for his work as this year’s chairman of a symposium that focuses on the waterway that courses through St. Landry, Lafayette and Vermilion parishes.

(Distributed 09/11/15) HAMMOND, La. – American beautyberry, sometimes confusingly called French mulberry, is a great Louisiana native shrub deserving increased use. The genus is Callicarpa, and both native and non-native species of this plant can be found in Louisiana.

(Video 09/14/15) Early September is the time to cut back roses, and the end of September is a great time to plant them. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why all roses are not the same. That means it’s very important to pick the right type roses for your needs. (Runtime: 01:52)

(Video 09/07/15) The crossandra is a plant that was typically only grown indoors. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how new crossandra varieties bring months of colorful flowers to the outdoors as well. (Runtime: 01:44)

(Video 08/03/15) With the soaring heat of summer, we look forward to the cool temperatures of fall. Well, on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the coleus, a plant that displays vibrant fall shades, while standing tough through the summer. (Runtime: 01:34)

(Video 08/31/15) Japanese maples surge with burgundy color during the spring and beyond, but many of them aren’t looking too good right now. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why you shouldn’t worry about what you’re seeing now and how to provide basic care for this beautiful small tree. (Runtime: 02:02)

(Video 08/24/15) One hundred degree-plus temperatures like some we’ve recently experienced threaten to harm or kill our plants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill discusses how to fight the heat with proper irrigation devices for your particular needs. (Runtime: 02:01)

(Audio 09/14/15) Don't forget that you can reuse caladiums in your landscape next year in the spring. This can prevent you from having to spend money again next year on decorative landscape plants. Listen for instructions on conserving your caladiums for next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/14/15) Although you may associate azaleas with spring, many varieties also produce flowers in the fall. Try adding Encore or Fashion azaleas to your landscape for fall color. Listen for more information on fall-blooming azaleas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/14/15) As fall approaches, it is not uncommon for rain and humidity to decrease. As a result, September and October can be particularly dry months. It's important to pay attention to watering your plants during this time. Listen for more information on maintaining moisture in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will welcome the fall season with a Corn Maze Festival on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Distributed 09/10/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will offer a half-day Lead Certified Renovator refresher class on Sept. 22.

(Distributed 09/10/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden dedicated the second of five markers on the Louisiana segment of the Bartram Trail on Sept. 9.

(Distributed 09/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Horse owners in Louisiana’s hot, humid climate need to take precautions against anhidrosis, a condition that makes horses unable to sweat and regulate their body temperature, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 09/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Back-to-school is in full swing, an exciting time for making new friends, meeting new teachers and getting involved. While the focus for the year is on academic achievement, it’s also important for students to participate in extra-curricular activities such as 4-H, said Janet Fox, head of the LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development Department.

(Audio 09/07/15) Although our lawns have been through a great deal this year due to extreme heat and chinch bugs, September is not the right time to apply nitrogen fertilizers. Instead of fertilizing, try focusing on weed control as the weather cools. Listen for more information on lawn care in the cool-season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/07/15) If there are any plants in your landscape that need pruning, it's important to do that as soon as possible. However, the time to prune may have already passed for some plants. Listen for more information on pruning before the cool weather hits. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/07/15) It's about time to start pulling out the tired, old warm-season plants from your garden and replacing them with fresh new cool-season plants. Be sure to prepare your beds by replenishing the organic matter and fertilizer. Listen for more information on preparing for cool-season plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/07/15) Mulches play an important role in gardening here in Louisiana. They provide weed control, conserve moisture, and add to the attractiveness of our landscapes. Listen for more information on mulching. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/07/15) With fall and winter just around the corner, it is important to allow hardy landscape plants to slow down naturally this time of year. As a result, gardeners must avoid fertilizing plants, with the exception of vegetables and bedding plants. Listen for more information on fall fertilizing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(distributed 09/08/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana’s diverse agriculture industry helps make the state an important hub of global trade, commodity group representatives told foreign dignitaries visiting the LSU AgCenter on Sept. 4.

(Distributed 09/04/15) A reliable, long-lived perennial for great summer and fall flowers, porterweed also serves as a nectar plant for pollinators.

(Distributed 09/04/15) HAMMOND, La. – Garden mums are among the most popular landscape plants for fall. These plants are also known as chrysanthemums, and some folks in north Louisiana and other parts of the state refer to them as “pinks.”

(Distributed 09/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Feral hogs cost Louisiana farmers more than $74 million in crop losses and other damage in 2013, according to an LSU AgCenter study.

(Distributed 09/04/15) POLLOCK, La. – Since the 1920s the LSU AgCenter Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center has been the scene of fun-filled summer days for many generations of Louisiana youth. But what happens in the off season?

(Video 09/02/15) Louisiana shrimpers are struggling with extremely low wholesale prices. To increase their sales directly to consumers, which fetch a higher price, shrimpers are now turning to the Internet. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:46)

(Video 09/02/15) Need basil for a recipe? No need to run to the store when you can get it from your neighbor’s backyard. That is the idea behind grower exchanges that are popping up in neighborhoods like one in Baton Rouge. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 01:59)

(Distributed 09/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Ten LSU College of Agriculture students spent two weeks in August studying African wildlife ecology in Swaziland. The students, who are all majoring in natural resources ecology and management, spent most of the study-abroad program at the Savannah Research Centre in the Mbuluzi Game Reserve.

(Video 08/05/15) In the plant world, flowers with the name “blue” in them are usually purplish in color. But blue daze is one of those rare flowers that is actually blue. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a new, improved blue daze called Blue My Mind that will last until first frost. (Runtime: 01:37)

(Video 08/05/15) Ferns do poorly in areas that get lots of sunlight. But the asparagus fern, which looks like a fern even though it isn’t one, thrives in hot, sunny environments. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill discusses this relative of asparagus that provides a nice, fern-like look. (Runtime: 01:40)

(Distributed 09/02/15) HAMMOND, La. – As cooler fall temperatures arrive, LSU AgCenter horticulturists are observing more cases of chilli thrips damage in nursery and landscape plants.

(Audio 08/31/15) At this point in the year, you should be seeing clusters of growth at the end of your pecan tree branches. Depending on what your crop looked like last year, your tree will either produce a larger or a small crop this year. Listen for more information on pecan trees and growth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/31/15) Although excessive rain can cause mushrooms to appear in your lawn, you shouldn't be concerned. If you are worried that your mushrooms may be poisonous or you just don't like how they look, you can pick them or run them over with your mower. Listen for more information on mushrooms in your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/31/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will hold its annual landscape horticulture industry field day for nursery, landscape and garden center professionals on Oct. 8.

(Audio 08/31/15) Due to the long and mild fall in Louisiana, a variety of warm- and cool-season vegetables can be planted in your garden in September. Try planting tomatoes and peppers or cool-season vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage. Listen for more information on growing vegetables this fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/31/15) For most Louisianians, shallots and green onions are synonymous. Stop by your local nursery to purchase bunching onion or shallot sets to plant in your garden. Listen for more information on growing and harvesting green onions. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On 09/25/15) Many summer-blooming annuals, perennials and vegetables are setting seeds now. You can harvest some of the seeds, store them and then grow a new crop of plants for your garden next year.

(For Release On 09/18/15) Gardeners use the term “volunteer” to describe the seedling of a desirable plant that appears in a garden without having been planted. They can be the offspring of trees and shrubs, but they’re most often the result of seeds dropped by annuals or perennials grown previously.

(For Release On 09/11/15) One of the most common questions I receive from gardeners is, “What kind of fertilizer should I use?” These gardeners generally assume there must be an easy answer for this if they just tell me what kind of plant they’re growing.

(For Release On 09/04/15) For gardeners tired of the heat and longing for cooler weather, September can provide welcome relief. Cool fronts often begin to make their way this far south in September. But days in the 90s are still not uncommon, and after a long, hot summer, these last scorching days are especially hard to bear for gardeners and their landscapes.

(Distributed 08/31/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners are presenting two programs in area libraries on Sept. 17 from 6-8 p.m. and Nov. 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

(Distributed 08/28/15) Esperanza, also known by its scientific name Tecoma, typically comes with yellow flowers, but apricot, oranges and reds are now becoming available. A common name for this plant is yellow bells.

(Distributed 08/28/15) HAMMOND, La. – What a rough July and August in Louisiana for hot temperatures and droughty conditions. The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station in Hammond had 43 straight days of temperatures 95 or above. During that time we measured only 0.60 inches of rainfall. Similar high temperature durations and low rainfall totals were recorded across the state.

(Audio 08/31/15) If you're a gardener, it is important to take measures to protect yourself against mosquitoes. Apply insect repellent or wear protective clothing to ensure safety from bites. Listen for more information on repelling mosquitoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/27/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s sweet potato Foundation Seed Program is now part of the National Clean Plant Network, a group that strives to keep specialty crops free of diseases.

(Distributed 08/26/15) CHASE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host the second annual Northeast Region Youth Field Day at the Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase on Sept. 23.

(Video 08/19/15) Louisiana farmers are harvesting their rice crop. It’s been a challenging year with rain and cloud cover. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that yields are down but aren’t that bad, considering the weather. (Runtime: 01:17)

(Video 08/19/15) Louisiana farmers are busy harvesting this year’s corn crop. Will it set a new record for yield? LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report. (Runtime: 01:34)

(Distributed 08/25/15) POLLOCK, La. – A movement in Europe from coal to wood-fired electric generation has created a worldwide market for wood pellets, according to experts at a recent symposium.

(Distributed 08/25/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Avian flu virus has led to a number of poultry flocks being destroyed. LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Theresia Lavergne says this has tightened supplies, but poultry meat and eggs are still available for consumers.

(Distributed 08/24/15) MANGHAM, La. – Beef producers will hear ways for improving their bottom line at the annual Northeast Louisiana Beef and Forage Field Day, which is being held September 17 at Goldmine Plantation, 188 Cummins Road.

(Distributed 08/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter is moving its facility for growing weevils to eradicate the aquatic weed called salvinia. A location in Terrebonne Parish on the property of Michael St. Martin had been used for the past four years.

(Distributed 08/21/15) A great ornamental pepper for fall is Purple Flash.

(Distributed 08/21/15) DELHI, La. – Despite a rainy spring that delayed sweet potato planting, the 2015 season is shaping up well, growers learned at a field day on Aug. 20 at Black Gold Farms in Delhi.

(Distributed 08/20/15) DELCAMBRE, La. – The first week of shrimp season is providing the chance for consumers to buy shrimp off the boats here.

(Distributed 08/20/15) HAMMOND, La. – As we enter fall, many home gardeners are considering adding new plants to dress up the landscape. Two great plants for fall are celosia, which some of us also call cockscomb, and ornamental peppers.

(Distributed 07/17/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Tim Sandles is not usually one to venture outside of his comfort zone. The LSU graduate student from Madisonville, Texas, studying agricultural education decided to push himself this summer when he signed up for a study abroad program in Europe.

(Distributed 08/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Teachers who started gardens at their schools last year were recognized for their progress at a half-day workshop on July 29 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Severe storms and excessive rainfall that resulted in the Red River flooding during the spring and summer caused an estimated $7 million damage to agriculture in northwest Louisiana, but that number will likely go up at harvest, said LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry.

(Distributed 08/18/15) NEW ORLEANS – Moving food from the farm to the dinner table – and everywhere else people eat – is a complex system, experts said at the Farm to Table International Symposium recently.

(Audio 08/24/15) Cannas and gingers are both plants that bloom in the summer. These plants produce stalks that need to be pruned once they've produced flowers that have faded. Listen for more information on pruning cannas and gingers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) August is the latest time of the year that you should fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing later than this can increase risk of diseases and decrease hardiness. Listen for more information on lawn fertilization. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) By late August or early September it will be time to prune your roses. Most roses should be cut back by about one-third and fertilized in order for vigorous growth to occur during the blooming periods. Listen for more information on pruning roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) If you'd like to manage grass clippings, there are a couple of options. Mowing frequently or using a mulching lawn mower can allow the grass clippings to compost and return nutrients to the soil. Or you can bag the clippings and compost them elsewhere. Listen for more information on managing grass clippings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/24/15) If you're planning on planting palms in your landscape, summer is the best time to do it. If your palms from last year died of freeze, try choosing a hardier palm this year. Listen for more information on planting palm trees in the summertime. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/14/15) Variegated tapioca, also known as manihot, is a tropical plant that’s at home in Louisiana.

(Distributed 08/14/15) HAMMOND, La. – The second hottest July on record in many parts of Louisiana coupled with below-normal rainfall statewide over the past eight weeks has led to drought symptoms in most landscapes. Lawns and landscape beds are suffering. Irrigation is vital through the rest of summer and through fall to prevent long-term damage to plants.

(Distributed 08/14/15) CROWLEY, La. – South Louisiana rice farmers have had excellent weather to get the 2015 crop out of the field, but the yield is a decline from the two exceptional harvests of the past two years, according to LSU AgCenter experts.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The cooling temperatures of fall create an ideal time to visit Burden Museum & Gardens, located at 4560 Essen Lane, just off Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Horse owners need to watch out for signs of respiratory diseases that occur during the summer, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 08/14/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Two Louisiana 4-H’ers were among 21 4-H’ers from 13 states who spent a week at California State University, Fresno, for the 2015 National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute Aug 4-8.

(Audio 08/17/15) Ferns are great plants for growing in the shade, which makes their maintenance much more appealing in the summer. Prune, mulch, water and fertilize these plants to encourage late summer growth. Listen for more information on fern maintenance. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) Pears are on of the most popular backyard fruits in Louisiana. Watch for ripening of the fruit by observing changes in color and firmness. Listen for more information on harvesting pears. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) Since Louisiana irises are dormant in the summer, now is a great time to transplant these plants. Transplanting can allow you to divide your clumps and give your irises more room to grow. Listen for more information on transplanting Louisiana irises. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) Butterfly weed is great for attracting butterflies in our landscapes. This plant is also crucial in restoring monarch butterfly populations. Listen for more information on the advantages of butterfly weed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/17/15) When your potted plants become too large for their containers, it's time to repot. Moving plants into a larger container can prevent health issues and encourage root growth. Listen for more information on repotting plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/13/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – When Alvin Ray started experimenting in his Prairieville kitchen about three years ago, he didn’t expect his creation — sweet, spicy, crispy pickles — to end up on store shelves.

(Distributed 08/11/15) NEW ORLEANS, La. – A team of young chefs from Ascension Parish earned second place in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off, 4-H Edition on Aug. 9.

(Distributed 08/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sugarcane aphids in Louisiana transitioned from sugarcane to grain sorghum in 2013 – some of the first such colonization in America. Since then, this invasive insect species has rapidly spread to all grain sorghum-producing parishes, decreasing quality and yield and causing catastrophic crop losses in 2014.

(Audio 08/14/15) Mulching trees during the first five years after being planted really helps with healthy growth and development. It is also important to pay attention to how you apply the mulch. Listen for more information on mulching young trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/11/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter International Programs recently completed a two-week (July 18 to Aug. 2) cross-country training program on port inspection and food safety regulations for eight officials from China.

(Distributed 08/11/15) BATON ROUGE, La – Robert Godke’s students have called him a mentor, a friend and a father figure.

(Distributed 08/07/15) Princess flower is also called tibouchina. Athens Blue dwarf tibouchina has purple flowers from late spring through fall.

(Distributed 08/10/15) ST. GABRIEL, La. – Representatives from the chemical manufacturer Syngenta shared information on monitoring atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in agriculture, at a meeting of Louisiana agriculture officials on Aug. 6 at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station.

(Distributed 08/07/15) HAMMOND, La. – Many great plants perform well in summer and fall in Louisiana. Some that are tropical-like in appearance include esperanzas, Pride of Barbados, cassava and copper plants. All are low-maintenance in the landscape.

(Audio 08/10/15) Chinch bugs are pests that plague Louisiana summer lawns. These bugs can attack your lawn and cause it to appear brown and straw-like. Listen for information on controlling these lawn pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/11/15) In Louisiana, it is possible to grow warm-season vegetables all the way until November. This allows us to plant a second crop of tomatoes in the summer. Listen for more information on growing fall tomatoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/12/15) Coleus is a beautiful plant whose foliage can add color to your garden. Stop by your local nursery to find a variety of coleus that suits your landscape. Listen for more information on these colorful plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/15) If your eggplant and bell pepper plants look like they're still in good shape, leave them in your garden to produce a second crop in the fall. If they're in bad shape, try planting fresh new transplants. Listen for more information on growing eggplants and bell peppers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker took three LSU students to Europe this summer to teach horse camps in three countries.

(Distributed 08/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La – Louise Wicker, a food scientist who spent much of her career on the faculty at the University of Georgia, was named director of the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture School of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

(Distributed 08/06/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Some people turn to family recipes for comfort during stressful times. Others, like Linda McAdams, turn them into a new career.

(Distributed 08/05/15) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station received accolades from national and international guests who toured the gardens on Aug. 3.

(Video 08/05/15) A summer spent around flowers was cheerful, yet educational for an LSU College of Agriculture student. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 01:49)

(Video 08/05/15) Scientists are releasing three species of wasps to help protect ash trees in north Louisiana. The ash trees are being threatened by the emerald ash borer, an invasive species from Asia. AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:42)

(Distributed 08/04/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The last week of July provided a week full of food, fun and nutrition education for 20 Louisiana youth ages 9 to 12 who attended Kid Chef Nutrition Camp July 28-31.

(For Release On 08/28/15) One of my favorite native plants is the Louisiana iris. When these plants bloom in the spring, their flowers are among the most colorful and beautiful to be found in Louisiana gardens. This time of the year, however, they may need some attention.

(For Release On 08/21/15) Successfully growing houseplants starts with understanding their needs. Primary among these is light. Light is the energy plants use to create their food. You cannot grow a plant where there is not enough light, no matter how good it looks in the location.

(For Release On 08/14/15) I live in an area that is rural transitioning into suburban. In many areas of the state, developers are building more and more new subdivisions in areas that were once wooded or open fields. People moving to these new subdivisions from more urban areas are often startled to encounter wildlife they never saw in the cities.

(For Release On 08/07/15) August is a transitional time in the vegetable garden. While cool-season planting begins in earnest next month, some of the more heat-tolerant cool-season vegetables, such as the cole crops, can be planted into the garden now.

(Distributed 07/31/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – An LSU team took third place in the southern division of the National Weed Contest on July 21.

(Distributed 07/31/15) An ornamental grass worthy of increased use in Louisiana is switchgrass, also known as panicum.

(Distributed 07/31/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Nicholas Adams and Chelsea Sutherland, both seniors in the LSU College of Agriculture studying agricultural education, have been selected for the Upper Division Agricultural Education Scholarship from the National Association of Agricultural Educators.

(Audio 08/03/15) Watering plants is extremely important this time of year. Make it a point to monitor container plants and walk your landscape in order to keep track of needed watering. Listen for more information on providing plants with necessary moisture. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/31/15) HAMMOND, La. – We are still a couple months away from fall, but there are several plants to consider now that will be showstoppers come October.

(Audio 08/03/15) When late summer rolls around, spider mites and white flies begin to appear in larger numbers. Although both of these pests cause damage to plants, they are easily controlled with light horticultural oil sprays. Listen for more information on preventing damage from these pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/03/15) With the long growing season we have in the summer, it's not uncommon for plants to become tall and overgrown. Early August is a great time to prune those plants to allow for more healthy and attractive growth. Listen for more information on pruning summer plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/03/15) Due to a short winter and early spring, insects and pests have been particularly bad this summer. Insect pests have shown up earlier and sustained larger populations this year. Listen for information on controlling insect pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/03/15) There's a wide variety of vegetables that can be planted in August. Visit your local nursery for seeds of vegetables such as cucumbers, snap beans, and lima beans or transplants of tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplants. Listen for more information on growing vegetables in August. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/29/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry is conducting a survey to find out how the AgCenter can better serve industry stakeholders through research and extension programs.

(Distributed 07/29/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Representatives from a Nicaraguan organization that works to improve rural life through agriculture research and outreach visited the LSU AgCenter this week (July 27-28) to learn about its programs.

(Distributed 07/28/15) BASTROP, La. – Blistering hot temperatures didn’t deter growers and interested community members from attending the annual Black Farmers Field Day in Collinston on July 24.

(Distributed 07/28/15) RACELAND, La. – Two 4-H students have used their personal tragedies to warn others about the deadly hazards of impaired driving.

(Distributed 07/27/15) ST. MARTINVILLE, La. – The yield advantage of growing double-drill rows of sugarcane on 8-foot beds is being explored by the Louisiana sugar industry, said Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist.

(Distributed 07/24/15) The premier crape myrtle in Louisiana historically has been Natchez.

(Distributed 07/24/15) FERRIDAY, La. – Attendees of a recent tour of northeastern Louisiana farms heard about research they can put in practice to help farmers’ bottom lines, including ways to make the most of irrigation.

(Distributed 07/24/15) HAMMOND, La. – A tough plant that will keep blooming through summer and into fall, gomphrena likes really high temperatures. Also called globe amaranth, legend has it that the original planting was at the gates of Hades.

(Audio 07/27/15) By mid-to-late summer, several pests such as spider mites, white flies and scale insects have built up their population. Control white fly and scale insects using light horticultural oil sprays. Listen for more information on these summer pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/23/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel was in the midst of completing her dream project – building a sustainable demonstration home specifically designed for Louisiana’s hot and humid climate and able to withstand hazards common to the area such as hurricanes, flooding and termites.

(Distributed 07/23/15) RAYVILLE, La. – The differences in growing rice in north and south Louisiana create the need for researchers to study how farmers can adapt their practices to fit the varied environments, an LSU AgCenter expert said Tuesday (July 21).

(Video 07/22/15) The weather was a big topic at a field day aimed at helping farmers grow better row crops. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard was there. (Runtime: 01:56)

(Video 07/22/15) Louisiana’s sugarcane crop has had to withstand rain, pests and a cold winter, but LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard says researchers are working to help farmers manage problems their crop may encounter. (Runtime: 01:34)

(Distributed 07/22/15) HAMMOND, La. – Shade-loving hostas are ranked the No. 1 herbaceous perennial in the United States, and for good reason, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Yan Chen.

(Audio 07/27/15) Because Louisiana has such a long autumn season, it's possible to grow thriving tomatoes in the fall. Be sure to plant your transplants by the end of July or beginning of August depending on your location. Listen for more information on fall tomato planting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/27/15) Chinch bugs are one of the most common lawn insect pests in Louisiana. They feed on your grass and cause dramatic damage. Listen for information on treating lawns that have been infected with chinch bugs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/27/15) Weeds, diseases, and insects run rampant in Louisiana landscapes in the summertime. The first and most important step to take is properly identifying these issues. Listen for more information on controlling and preventing summer pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/20/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Ninety educators from across the state gathered at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center in downtown Alexandria for the Foodapalooza: Farm to School Edition on July 14.

(Audio 07/27/15) Mosquitoes in Louisiana are most active during the prime summer gardening hours. Take steps to protect yourself from these pests by applying repellent and getting rid of standing water in your landscape. Listen for more information on preventing and reducing mosquito bites this summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/20/15) Controlling weeds in different types of beds can be difficult. Some herbicides are okay to use around certain plants but are harmful to others. Listen for more information on weed control in garden beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/20/15) Web worms are caterpillars that form unattractive nests at the ends of branches, especially on pecan trees. To control these pests, use any insecticide labeled to control caterpillars. Listen for more information on web worms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/20/15) If you planted herbs in the spring, don't forget that they're out in your garden. You can easily go out and clip herbs to use for cooking. Listen for more information on harvesting herbs in the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/20/15) Bark lice are insects that form a fine, silvery webbing along the bark of trees. Although these webs may look threatening, there is no need to worry about damage. Listen for more information on bark lice on trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 07/27/15) You can’t do much better for a summer plant than the purslane. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how this plant offers beautiful, diverse-colored flowers, while staying happy in the heat. (Runtime: 01:44)

(Distributed 07/17/15) Sunflowers are among the easiest flowers to grow, and their flowers thrive in the heat of our summers. You can add sunflowers to a garden or landscape now for flowers by late summer or early fall.

(Distributed 07/17/15) HAMMOND, La. – Since the debut of a landscape horticulture research and extension program at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station nine years ago, gardens supporting the research at the station continue to expand.

(Distributed 07/17/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Oppressive heat was not a deterrent for hobby fig growers and others interested in learning at the annual fig field day held at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on July 11.

(Distributed 07/17/15) NEW ORLEANS – Farm-to-school supporters heard about ways to increase the use of locally grown produce in schools at a regional meeting on Wednesday (July 16).

(Distributed 07/17/15) ST. GABRIEL, La. – Two potential new sugarcane varieties for Louisiana are entering their final year of evaluation, LSU AgCenter plant breeders told producers and industry representatives at the 33rd annual sugar field day on July 15 at the AgCenter Sugar Research Station.

(Distributed 07/17/15) MINDEN, La. – Efforts are underway in north Louisiana to slow the spread of an invasive species that threatens to destroy native ash trees. The trees play an important part in bottomland ecosystems and also have an economic value to the timber industry.

(Distributed 07/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The soybean looper is a destructive pest on soybeans capable of defoliating fields if left unchecked. It can be difficult to control because of its resistance to many insecticides. LSU AgCenter scientists are looking at a novel way to increase the efficacy of pesticides to better control insects such as the soybean looper using nanotechnology.

(Distributed 07/09/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – A rule that revises which bodies of water are subject to Clean Water Act regulations will take effect next month, which has some farmers worried they will come under stricter federal scrutiny.

(Distributed 07/14/15) LAKE CHARLES, La. – Results have been released from the 46th Annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show held July 7-11, 2015.

(Audio 07/20/15) Some summer bedding plants, like petunias, don't tolerate the heat very well. When you notice plants in your summer garden fading, pull them out and replace them with plants such as periwinkle or salvia. Listen for more information on maintaining summer bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/08/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter researchers are looking at different aspects of the redbanded stink bug.

(Distributed 07/13/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter is partnering with the Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute for research and outreach activities designed to help people make better use of Louisiana’s water supply.

(Distributed 07//13/15) HAMMOND, La. – The most popular summer-blooming tree in Louisiana is the crape myrtle with its lovely, long-lasting flowers. They generally myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June and continue flowering for 80 to 100 days, depending on the variety.

(Distributed 07/13/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Feral hogs caused at least $30 million in damage to crops on Louisiana farms in 2013, according to an LSU AgCenter study.

(Distributed 07/10/15) Some of the newer zinnias include the Profusion and the Zahara varieties. These landscape-type zinnias resulted from hybridization between the old cut-flower-type zinnias and the Mexican or narrowleaf zinnias.

(Distributed 07/10/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Louisiana’s corn, cotton and soybean crops still have the potential to be above average this year, but because of the weather, don’t expect any record yields, LSU AgCenter experts said at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center field day on Thursday (July 9).

(Distributed 07/10/15) HAMMOND, La. – Summer is not the most enjoyable time to work in the yard in Louisiana, but rose bushes need attention to ensure good performance through the summer and into early fall.

(Distributed 07/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La – With the help of a teacher who recognized his potential and scholarships that allowed him to attend college, Gail Cramer was able to escape a poverty-stricken childhood in rural Washington to become an accomplished professor in agricultural economics.

(Video 07/08/15) Louisiana’s crops are getting inundated with rain, and rice is no exception. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard said rain was a major topic at a recent rice field day. (Runtime: 01:50)

(Distributed 07/08/15) AMITE, La. – Cattle producers in the Florida parishes are invited to sign up for the LSU AgCenter’s Master Cattleman program to be held in Tangipahoa Parish beginning Aug. 11 and ending Oct. 13.

(Audio 07/13/15) Blackberries are easily grown and highly productive plants in Louisiana landscapes. Summer is the perfect time to prune your blackberry plants. Listen for more information on pruning and maintaining blackberries. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/13/15) Although chrysanthemums don't bloom until the fall, pruning them before mid-July is crucial for producing flowers. Don't wait too late to prune your chrysanthemums or it may delay or prevent flowering. Listen for more information on the flowering habits of chrysanthemums. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/08/15) ST. LOUIS – 4-H youth from Vermilion Parish attended the National 4-H Film Festival and won an award for their video “Somewhere Over the Bayou.” Brothers Ty and Clay Zaunbrecher, of Abbeville, the first Louisianans ever to compete in the contest, submitted the entry that placed third in the promotional category.

(Distributed 07/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Teenage girls who are considered plus-sized say shopping for clothing is a frustrating and often humiliating experience, according to a recent study.

(Audio 07/13/15) Although July is typically a dry month, afternoon showers can produce a significant amount of rain. Be sure to use rain gauges so that you know how much rain you are getting; this will allow you to irrigate properly. Listen for more information on summer irrigation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/07/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Unrelenting rains that delayed planting of many Louisiana crops may have set the stage for a tougher-than-usual battle with weeds this year.

(Distributed 07/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Thirty-six 4-H’ers from across the state represented Louisiana at the 2015 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship in Grand Island, Nebraska, on June 21-26.

(Audio 07/13/15) Crape myrtles, the most popular summer flowering tree in Louisiana, bloom all the way from April to September. Despite setbacks such as excess rain and an outbreak leaf spot, crape myrtles in your landscape should remain healthy. Listen for more information on Louisiana crape myrtles. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/13/15) Caladiums are widely available, colorful plants that grow well in shady areas. Make sure you are properly caring for these plants during the summer by mulching and watering regularly. Listen for more information on these beautiful plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/07/15) NEW ORLEANS – The LSU AgCenter’s MarketReady training program is preparing small farmers and ranchers to develop supplier relationships with restaurants, grocery stores, wholesalers and foodservice buyers.

(Distributed 07/07/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Fruit and vegetable growers from across the state shared stories of how wet weather has affected their operations during the Louisiana Fruit and Vegetable Grower meeting and field day at LSU AgCenter Botanical Gardens at Burden on July 1.

(Audio 07/06/15) Ginger and canna are popular plants for creating a tropical look in our landscapes. Both of these plants produce clusters of flowers at the top of a shoot. Listen for information about caring for and maintaining these tropical plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/06/15) A crucial part of proper lawn care is making sure that your lawn mower blades remain sharp. Sharp blades can ensure that your grass receives a nice, clean cut. Listen for more information on maintaining the blades on your lawn mower. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/06/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter closed the Forage Testing Laboratory on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge on July 1.

(Distributed 07/06/15) A great newer hydrangea for Louisianians to consider is the Hydrangea paniculuta called Limelight.

(Distributed 07/02/15) CROWLEY, La. – LSU AgCenter researchers at the Rice Research Station Field Day on July 1 outlined their work to help farmers produce a better crop more efficiently. Researchers said their work heavily depends on funds provided by rice farmers through the checkoff system.

(Distributed 07/02/15) HAMMOND, La. – Several years ago the LSU AgCenter developed a program called Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods to inform home gardeners about sustainable landscaping and home horticulture practices.

(Audio 07/06/15) Properly timing the pruning of hydrangeas is critical to ensuring that they produce flowers. Make sure you prune hydrangeas early in the summer before they set their buds in July. Listen for more information on pruning hydrangeas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/06/15) Now is a great time to apply a second round of fertilizer to your lawn. Fertilizing now will replenish the nitrogen that has been used up or washed away since spring. Listen for more information on fertilizing your summer lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/06/15) Container plants are extremely popular for embellishing outdoor living areas and porches. However, several problems can occur when you use saucers for these plants. Listen for more information on preventing mosquitoes, water damage and root rot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/01/15) July brings celebrations of local foods to Alexandria and New Orleans.

(Distributed 07/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The kudzu bug, an invasive pest from Asia, continues its trek into Louisiana. LSU AgCenter scientists have been monitoring the movement of the insect since it was discovered in 2014 in Louisiana after moving in from Mississippi.

(Distributed 06/30/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 1,500 4-H students from all 64 parishes converged on the LSU campus to participate in the annual 4-H University June 23-26. Students took part in 41 competitive contests, 12 Clover College tracks and elected new statewide officers for the 2015-16 school year.

(Distributed 06/29/15) ST. GABRIEL, La. – The LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station will host its 33rd Annual Sugarcane Field Day on July 15.

(Distributed 06/26/15) Ornamental sweet potatoes are popular warm-season annuals for adding foliage color to the summer landscape.

(Distributed 06/25/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – For many of the teenagers who come to 4-H University on the LSU campus every summer, it is one of the first times they are away from home and have to make their own decisions. But often, they find that a little bit of bravery and friendliness can go a long way.

(Audio 06/29/15) Don't expect your roses to look their best in July. The summer heat can drain the plant and take a toll on the appearance and durability of the flowers. Listen for more information on maintaining roses in the hottest parts of the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/29/15) Since colorful flower beds often grab the attention of passersby, it is important to keep your beds in tip top condition. However, it can be difficult to get outside to work in your garden in the summer heat. Listen for some tips on maintaining your summer flower beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/29/15) Unlike most trees, palm trees are best planted in the hottest part of the summer. When planting palm trees, be sure to choose a species that fits your needs in terms of hardiness and appearance. Listen for more information on planting palm trees in Louisiana. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/29/15) Figs are usually coming in pretty nicely by early July. It is very important to harvest figs in a timely manner before they perish or become food for birds. Listen for more information on protecting your figs from birds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/29/15) If you can handle the heat, July is a great month to get out in your garden and harvest vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and snap beans. July is also a good time to plant various heat-tolerant crops. Listen for more information on planting vegetables and other plants in your summer garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 730 people braved the heat and humidity of a Louisiana June day to attend the fourth annual Garden Fest at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on June 20.

(Video 06/24/15) LSU AgCenter researchers are helping farmers in north Louisiana combat pest problems in a particularly rainy year. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard attended a field day where the scientists talked with farmers about their research, and she has this story. (Runtime: 01:39)

(Video 06/24/15) Poultry producers visited the LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Research Station to hear about research being conducted to help make their poultry operations more environmentally friendly. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:37)

(Distributed 06/24/15) HAMMOND, La. – One of the most popular non-woody perennials in Louisiana is the purple coneflower. The scientific name of this plant is Echinacea purpurea. It is native to an area from the Midwest into the southeastern United States.

(For Release On 07/31/15) If you want to boost the color in your landscape, nurseries still have a good selection of colorful bedding plants that will thrive in whatever heat the summer throws at them.

(For Release On 07/24/15) Wherever you go in America, gardeners will tell you about the terrible pest problems they have to deal with. Still, it seems like we have more than our share of insects, diseases and weeds in Louisiana.

(For Release On 07/17/15) Ornamental grasses are an often-overlooked group of herbaceous perennials that thrive here and will add beauty to your landscape with minimum effort. This versatile group of plants is becoming increasing popular.

(For Release On 07/10/15) Few sights are more thrilling in the garden than to see rapidly moving hummingbirds darting among the flowers. So favored are the jewel-colored birds, people put out feeders to entice them into the landscape. Even better are gardens full of plants that provide flowers bursting with the nectar hummingbirds crave.

(For Release On 07/03/15) This time of the year, most of us want to spend as little time outside in the heat as possible. Yet, we still want to keep our landscapes looking nice.

(Video 07/06/15) Hibiscuses or rose mallows, as they’re called, perform well in summer heat. But they do have a nemesis. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to handle the mallow sawfly. (Runtime: 01:36)

(Video 06/29/15) The delicate white flowers of baby’s breath are used to enhance a floral bouquet. But the newer baby’s breath euphorbia adds the perfect touch to a summer landscape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to this drought-tolerant plant. (Runtime: 01:40)

(Distributed 06/23/15) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center in Alexandria will host its annual row crop field day on July 9.

(Distributed 06/22/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Patrick Tuck has been named the new executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, which is the fundraising body for the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Development Program.

(Distributed 06/19/15) The Bandana series of lantanas has now been on the market for several years. It was the first group of smaller-growing, smaller-mounding type varieties.

(Distributed 06/19/15) HOMER, La. – Poultry producers who attended the field day at the LSU AgCenter Hill Farm on June 17 had an opportunity to participate in a training session for the Louisiana Master Farmer Program.

(Distributed 06/19/15) HAMMOND, La. – If you’re looking for some great summer color for your landscape beds from now through our first killing frost this fall, the Butterfly series of pentas will give you that, and maybe even more.

(Distributed 06/18/15) ST. JOSEPH, La. – Excessive rain during the 2015 growing season has presented challenges for Louisiana farmers, but LSU AgCenter experts told attendees at the Northeast Research Station Pest Management and Crop Production Field Day on June 17 that they need to consider other problems that could affect their crops.

(Distributed 06/18/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter entomologists are evaluating integrated pest management programs that crop consultants and farmers use to control pests in soybeans across the state.

(Distributed 06/18/15) HOMER, La. – Poultry producers from across Louisiana heard best management practices to make their operations more environmentally friendly and efficient during a poultry field day at the LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Research Station on June 16.

(Distributed 06/17/15) CROWLEY, La. – Unusually excessive rainfall and cloudy days have been a challenge for growing rice, but it’s too early to become pessimistic about this year’s crop, according to the director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.

(Audio 06/22/15) Wet, muggy Louisiana weather tends to attract more snails and slugs to gardens. To get rid of these pests, try using baits or beer traps. Listen for more tips on dealing with snails and slugs in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/22/15) Every once in a while, knees produced by baldcypress trees become a problem in landscapes. Thankfully, there is something you can do to remove the knee without damaging the tree. Listen for more information on dealing with cypress knees in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/22/15) Although petunias are an extremely popular bedding plant, these flowers usually begin to languish around June or July. If you want petunias that are more heat-tolerant, try planting Wave petunias. Listen for more information on petunias in the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/22/15) Profusion zinnias, a hybrid between zinnia angustifolia and zinnia elegans, perform beautifully in flower beds despite the intense summer heat in Louisiana. Unlike zinnia elegans, Profusion zinnias don't have problems with insects and diseases. Listen for more information on these beautiful summer flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/15/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in the industry are invited to the Louisiana Fruit and Vegetable Grower meeting and field day from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at LSU AgCenter Botanical Gardens at Burden on July 1.

(Audio 06/22/15) Tarragon is a delicious herb that can be added to numerous dishes such as chicken and vegetables. Since French tarragon cannot withstand the Louisiana heat, try planting Mexican tarragon for a tasty alternative. Listen for more information on growing Mexican tarragon. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of managers with the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is visiting Louisiana June 15 to 17 to learn about the LSU AgCenter’s rice research and outreach efforts.

(Distributed 06/16/15) CROWLEY, La. – The LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station Annual Field Day will be held July 1, with a host of rice experts and speakers discussing the latest in rice farming technology.

(Distributed 06/16/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Ten members of the LSU AgCenter’s Communications Department won national awards at the annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence in Charleston, South Carolina, June 8-11.

(Video 06/22/15) Day lilies are beautiful, low-maintenance perennials that bloom dependably every summer. Some day lilies even bloom more than once a year. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to these delicately ornamented summer favorites. (Runtime: 01:46)

(Audio 06/15/15) Although container plants are great for placing on patios or decks in the summer, be wary of the water damage the drainage can cause to wood. Boost your container plants by placing stones or bricks underneath them. Listen for more tips on container plant placement. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/15/15) Pentas are great flowers for adding color to your summer garden. These flowers come in a variety of colors and will bloom throughout the summer. Listen for more information on beautiful pentas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/12/15) WINNSBORO, La. – Keeping chemicals from drifting to non-target areas led the discussion at a drift mitigation and application technology education seminar in Winnsboro on June 9.

(Distributed 06/12/15) Vinca is the most popular, most sold and most planted warm-season bedding plant in Louisiana. We sometimes call this plant periwinkle.

(Distributed 06/12/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – With the 2015 hurricane season officially underway, discover a range of ways to make your home a more “resilient home” at the Summer Saturday Open House at the LSU AgCenter LaHouse on July 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Distributed 06/12/15) HAMMOND, La. – An abundance of hibiscus varieties do well in Louisiana.Many of us are very familiar with the tropical hibiscuses Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. We see them frequently. They’re typically not cold-hardy for the majority of the state.

(Audio 06/15/15) Gardenias are refreshingly fragrant flowers typical to Southern gardens. When gardenia bushes finish blooming in June, it is important to do any pruning before they set their buds for next year in July. Listen for more information on pruning gardenias. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 06/10/15) Louisiana sweet potato producers are in the midst of planting this year’s crop. While a wet May slowed them down, it looks like the crop will be finished by the end of this month. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report. (Runtime: 01:47)

(Video 06/10/15) Tomatoes are very popular in most backyard gardens because they are a common ingredient in many dishes. Growers in St. James Parish have made tasting and learning about tomatoes an annual social event. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story. (Runtime: 01:32)

(Audio 06/15/15) Caterpillars are a major problem for ornamentals, vegetables, and fruit trees. To get rid of these pests you can either handpick them off of your plants or use an organic pesticide. Listen for more information on caterpillar control. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/15/15) Because of their height, trees in our landscapes are vulnerable to being struck by lightening. If one of your trees is struck, you may have to wait six to twelve months to find out whether or not your tree is going to survive. Listen for more advice on dealing with trees that have been struck. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 06/15/15) With lots of rain, we worry about proper drainage for most plants. But some thrive in a water-saturated environment. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a few that love soggy soils. (Runtime: 01:47)

(Distributed 06/10/15) PINE PRAIRIE, La. – Cattle producers attending the Evangeline Parish Cattlemen’s Association Field Day Saturday (June 6) learned how high-tech devices can help them improve their herds.

(Distributed 06/10/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – A Louisiana group has developed a plan to protect honeybees in the state by fostering cooperation among farmers, agricultural chemical applicators and beekeepers.

(Distributed 06/09/15) MAMOU, La. – A fungus in soil has shown a surprising connection with the main insect pest of rice, the rice water weevil, according to an LSU AgCenter entomologist.

(Distributed 06/09/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 1,500 Louisiana youth will converge on LSU’s campus from June 23 to 26 for 4-H University, an annual event where 4-H members between the ages of 13 and 19 can compete in contests, win prizes and explore careers.

(Distributed 06/09/15) RUSTON, La. – Annie’s Project will host its sixth workshop for women in agriculture at Community Trust Bank’s community room located at 1511 North Trenton Street, Ruston.

(Distributed 06/08/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Food Incubator has received a three-year $2.5 million grant from the Louisiana Office of Community Development’s Disaster Recovery Unit. The grant will allow the incubator to ramp up production, serve more clients and hire more personnel.

(Distributed 06/08/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Slimy slugs and snails can be pesky pests in Louisiana gardens and landscapes.

(Distributed 06/08/15) PAULINA, La. – Residents of this small community in St. James Parish are serious about their tomato production, and it shows in the support for their annual tomato field day.

(Distributed 06/05/15) Scarlet sage, scientifically known as Salvia coccinea, is a species of salvia that looks like a perennial but is generally not cold hardy in Louisiana. It is a re-seeding annual in the majority of the state but can be an “in-ground” perennial in warmer summer locations.

(Distributed 06/05/15) HAMMOND, La. – With rain following a cold winter, early spring growth was not good on crape myrtles this year. But we are seeing very nice blooms on these great summer-flowering landscape trees as we approach their peak performance time of late June through July.

(Distributed 06/05/15) MONROE, La. – The Louisiana County Agricultural Agents Association members presented awards and installed the 2015-2016 officers during their annual conference in Monroe May 31-June 4.

(Distributed 06/04/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has two new gardening publications for sale – Ground Covers for Louisiana Landscapes and Vines for Louisiana Landscapes.

(Distributed 06/04/15) HAMMOND, La. – Caladiums are one of the most popular warm-season bedding plants among gardeners in the South because of their attractive foliage color and the ability to thrive in our summer heat and humidity. They are essentially pest- and disease-free and require very little maintenance, said LSU AgCenter researcher Yan Chen.

(Distributed 06/03/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Most commercial crawfish peeling operations in Louisiana are winding down, but a labor shortage they faced this season is likely to affect other seafood processors that aren’t in full swing yet.

(Distributed 06/02/15) HAMMOND, La. – One of the most popular annual bedding plants in Louisiana is vinca, or periwinkle. It is well-known for its prolific and long blooming season and is the favored flowering plant of choice for home gardeners and professional landscapers around the state for warm season color, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings.

(Distributed 06/02/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The spring issue of Louisiana Agriculture magazine is now online, said editor Linda Benedict.

(Distributed 06/02/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – 2015 has been a difficult year for the LSU AgCenter wheat and oat breeding program.

(Audio 06/08/15) If you're a Louisiana gardener, make sure you're taking measures to protect yourself from the summer heat when working in your yard for long periods of time. Drink plenty of fluids, garden in the shade, and wear loose comfortable clothes. Listen for more tips on staying safe in this summer heat. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/08/15) It's important to pay attention to pruning your once-blooming roses after they produce flowers in late April and early May. By pruning now, your plant has enough time to produce new growth that will yield flowers next year. Listen for more tips on pruning once-blooming roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/08/15) Horticulturists define a sucker as an undesirable fast-growing shoot. It is very important to deal with suckers properly, particularly when pruning. Listen for more information on dealing with suckers in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/08/15) Although there are various diseases and pests that can be detrimental to our lawn in the summertime, slime mold is relatively harmless. Slime mold may look terrible, but it actually helps decay organic matter in our lawns. Listen for more information on these fungus-like organisms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/12/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – 4-H and FFA youth from throughout Louisiana will compete in the 46th Annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA State Horse Show on July 7-11 at the Burton Complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

(Audio 06/08/15) Contrary to popular belief, lichens are not parasites. However, lichens do tend to grow more easily on weak and struggling plants. Listen for more information on what to do if you notice excessive lichen growth on your plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On 06/19/15) Summer-flowering vines can provide color, fragrance and interest to Louisiana landscapes. They can also provide screening and even shade if they are allowed to cover an overhead structure. Indeed, no other group of plants can provide the same effects as vines.

(For Release On 06/26/15) Landscapes are dynamic creations that are always changing. Plants grow larger. New plants are added along the way. Plants die. Even trees may be lost in storms. Over the years, a landscape can change radically from its original look.

(Distributed 06/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana organizers kicked off a conference on May 27 to bring farm-to-school advocates together to encourage introducing local foods into schools and promote food and agriculture education.

(For Release On 06/12/15) If you picked dewberries or blackberries from the wild as a child (or adult) and miss those wonderful, shiny black fruit bursting with sweet juice, you’ll be glad to know that blackberries are easy and productive in the home garden.

(For Release On 06/05/15) Adequate moisture is critically important to landscape plants, but too much rain or excessive watering can bring problems of its own. We’ve seen a wet spring and early summer this year, and it has caused a variety of problems. Wet soil can create stressful conditions for bedding plants, vegetables, shrubs and even trees – especially those planted this year.

(Distributed 06/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – June is time for figs in Louisiana, and many of the popular varieties around the state have come from a breeding program at the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 06/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana specialty crop producers will have an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of marketing to local groceries, restaurants and other retail outlets during one-day workshop presented by the LSU AgCenter on June 18 and 19.

CROWLEY, La. – Recent weather has not been ideal for growing rice because of frequent rainy and cloudy weather, LSU AgCenter experts told farmers at field days on May 28 in Jefferson Davis and Vermilion parishes.

(Distributed 05/29/15) It is not too late in the warm season to add coleus to the Louisiana landscape.

(Video 06/08/15) If you’re looking for eye-catching flowers for your garden, celosia is a great choice. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill describes the different types of celosia and their dependability for surviving hot summer conditions. (Runtime: 01:24)