(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 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.

(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.

(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.

(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)

(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)