(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)
(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 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)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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) 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)
(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)
(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)
(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) 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) 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) 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)
(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 11/13/15) 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.
(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.