Just a little off the top

Have you ever heard of the expression, “Just take a little bit off of the top”? While this phrase is common in the local barbershop, it also holds true for proper lawn care. Most homeowners just think of mowing the yard as a chore and dread doing it because of the hot summer temperatures. When done properly, mowing helps to maintain a healthy lawn and will also help to suppress weed infestation. Even though Summer officially begins on June 20, 2025, Louisianians usually must begin mowing around the end of March and most will mow all the way up to the first frost of the Fall. As you can see, we spend a great portion of the year mowing and tending to our lawns. There are two main topics to discuss when talking about mowing lawns: mowing height and mowing frequency. I often see homeowners who like to lower their mower decks as low as they will go and scalp the lawns. I suppose they do this with the thought of “mow it short and mow it less often”. Mowing grasses too short can often cause damage to the turf grass and encourage weed growth. Homeowners should follow the one-third rule which states that no more than one-third of the leaf blade height should be removed in a single mowing. For example, if the height of cut is 2 inches, it should be mowed whenever it reaches 3 inches in height. On average, Louisianians mow their lawns once per week. During a wet spring or summer like we have been seeing, this mowing frequency may need to be increased. This will also depend on the type of grasses that your lawn contains. Faster-growing species such as Bermuda grass and Bahia grass will need to be mowed more frequently than slower-growing species such as Zoysia grass. If lawns are not mowed frequently enough, large volumes of grass clippings can be an issue. Large quantities of grass clippings that are not removed after mowing can block out sunlight penetration and in turn cause bare spots to form.

Tomatoes That Beat the Heat:

Recommended Varieties for Louisiana Gardeners

Summers in Northwest Louisiana can be tough on tomato plants. When daytime temperatures rise above 85°F and nights stay warm, many standard tomato varieties struggle to set fruit. This can be frustrating for local gardeners who put time and care into their summer crops, only to see healthy plants bloom with no tomatoes in sight.

To improve success in the heat, the LSU AgCenter recommends planting “heat-set” tomato varieties during the hotter parts of the growing season. These varieties are specifically bred to tolerate high temperatures and continue producing when other types may fail.

Heat-Set Varieties That Perform Well in Louisiana

1. Florida 91 is a determinate variety that produces large, flavorful red fruit. It is known for its heat tolerance and resistance to several common tomato diseases, making it a reliable choice for both backyard gardeners and small-scale growers.
2. Phoenix is another determinate hybrid that performs well under Louisiana’s hot and humid conditions. It sets fruit consistently even when temperatures stay high and yields round, red tomatoes with good firmness and shelf life.
3. Solar Fire is bred to thrive in hot climates and is resistant to many common tomato diseases. This variety produces medium to large fruit and is an excellent option for gardeners looking to extend their harvest into the warmer months.

Growing Tips for Summer Tomato Success

• Timing is key: For heat-set varieties, aim for a late summer planting in July or early August to enjoy a fall harvest before the first frost.
• Maintain soil moisture: Consistent watering and the use of mulch can help keep the soil cool and reduce stress on plants.
• Provide some shade: In extreme heat, even heat-tolerant varieties may benefit from partial afternoon shade to prevent sun scald and stress.
• Monitor for pests: Common summer pests like stink bugs, white flies, and tomato horn worms can damage crops quickly. Regular monitoring and prompt control measures are essential.

Mark Wilson
Area Horticulture Agent

For gardeners in northwest Louisiana, choosing heat-set tomato varieties like Florida 91, Phoenix, or Solar Fire can make a significant difference during the peak of summer.

These varieties offer:

• better performance
• higher yields
• more dependable fruit set when temperatures are at their highest

For more detailed information on tomato growing in Louisiana, including fertilization, disease control, and planting calendars: LSU AgCenter publication : "Tomatoes” (Publication #1902)

Savor The Summer: 4 Smart Ways To Preserve Tomatoes

There’s nothing like a juicy, homegrown tomato fresh off the vine—but when the harvest comes all at once, what do you do with the extras?

Don’t let them go to waste! Preserving tomatoes is a great way to enjoy that garden-fresh flavor all year long. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

Here are four safe, simple ways to preserve tomatoes—and how the LSU AgCenter can help.

1. Canning – Lock in the Goodness

Canning is a time-tested method that can keep your tomatoes shelf-stable for over a year. Water bath canning works for plain tomatoes—but only if you add bottled lemon juice or citric acid. For thicker sauces or recipes with meat or vegetables, pressure canning is a must for safety.

2. Freezing – Fast and Flexible

Short on time? Freezing tomatoes is quick and easy. You can freeze them whole, stewed, or as sauce. Just peel, pack in airtight containers, and label.

3. Drying – Flavor That Packs a Punch

Drying tomatoes concentrates their flavor and makes for great snacks or cooking ingredients. A dehydrator works best, but you can also use an oven on low heat. Want to learn how?

4. Homemade Sauces & Salsas – Get Creative!

From tangy ketchup to spicy salsa, tomatoes are the perfect base for delicious value-added products. The key is using tested, research-based recipes to make sure your creations are safe to store.

We’re Here to Help!

The LSU AgCenter serves as your reliable local resource for safe food preservation. Whether you seek a tested recipe, a hands-on workshop, or individual advice, we are here to assist you.

Contact your parish extension office or visit lsuagcenter.com for expert guidance, science-based information, and tasty ways to preserve your harvest.

Helpful resources through the LSU AgCenter:

• tested recipes
• step-by-step guides to help you preserve with confidence
• provide tips on prepping tomatoes for freezing and how to avoid freezer burn or flavor loss
• guides on safe drying techniques and storage
• resources include recipe booklets and preservation classes to help you get started
• And many other helpful resources

Prepared by Jessica Salley- Sabine Parish Nutrition and Community Health Agent

@https://www.lsuagcenter.com/topics/food_health

Additionally, we want to inform you that we have copies of the latest edition of So Easy to Preserve, the leading guide in home food preservation from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension (available for purchase through our office).

Tomato Sales

Tuesday & Friday
7:30am-unti sold out
Mid March- Mid July
Mid October-Mid December

Blueberries: Nature's Tiny Superfood

Blueberries may be small, but their impact on health and flavor is mighty. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber, these little berries are a delicious way to boost wellness and enjoy seasonal goodness, Blueberries are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Manganese. Supporting immune function, bone health and metabolism. Their high antioxidants content, particularly flavonoids, helps combat oxidative stress and inflammation, making them a powerhouse for heart and brain health.

Ways To Enjoy Blueberries

• Toss them into your morning smoothie for a refreshing start to your day
• Sprinkle them over oatmeal or yogurt for a nutrient -packed breakfast
• Blend them into baked goods like muffins or pancakes for a naturally sweet treat
• Enjoy them fresh by the handful, "Just as nature intended!"
• I love them fresh but frozen. Great summer treat to cool off with.

Facts To Know Before You Grow

• Blueberries are the easiest fruit to grow and are best planted in pairs.
• It is best to plant them during the Fall or Winter season to prevent stress on the plants.
• They are aesthetically pleasing and can be used in your home landscaping.
• Pollinators and birds love them!
• Rabbiteye are the most commonly grown blueberries in Louisiana

Blueberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 cups blueberries
• ½ cup water, divided
• 1 cup orange juice
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, ¼ cup of water, orange juice,and sugar. Stir gently, and bring to a boil.
2. In a cup or small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and ¼ cup cold water. Gently stir the cornstarch mixture into the blueberries so as not to mash the berries. Simmer gently until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract and cinnamon. Thin sauce with water if it is too thick

Sources: www.lsuagcenter.com & Seeds for Success/Harvest of the Month Prepared by: Shannan Chevallier, Associate NCH Agent Winn/Jackson Parishes

Keeping Backyard Chickens Cool Through The Summer

With the Louisiana summer heating up, one thing we need to think about is how we keep our chickens and poultry comfortable. There are several considerations to make for our poultry in summer weather such as an adequate supply of fresh clean water, adequate space for our birds, and what heat stress looks like.

One of the most important aspects for our chickens anytime of the year is a fresh clean and cool supply of water. Water could be argued to be the most essential nutrient in our birds’ diet, but it is especially important during hot weather. The NRC estimates a 7% increase in water intake with every degree rise in temperature above our bird’s comfort levels. It also needs to be fresh and clean. This means checking on the level regularly and periodically, not only rinsing the drinkers out but also scrubbing them with soap and water. It is also preferable to place these drinkers in the shade as this will help them from heating up so much during the day. Water temperatures over 107 degrees will depress the intake. Also, people will put ice in their drinkers to keep them cooler, however you would be surprised how quickly that water will heat up and the ice melts (see figure below).

Water temperature of ice water place 1 & 5 Qt drinkers in the sun vs the shade.

Also, we want to provide adequate space for our birds, while normal space recommendations are usually 1-3 square feet per bird depending on their size, it can be beneficial to have a little extra during the summer months as overcrowding can cause our birds to feel even hotter. Think about how you feel on a packed bus or in a crowded room. Also, this space needs to have some form of shade to protect the birds from the sun, and provide shade if the birds want it. This can be a solid roof made from wood or metal, or it can be a mesh material acting as a shade cloth. In areas that have solid walls that prevent a natural draft through them it can be helpful to have a fan to provide some air movement for the birds. This does not have to be an overly complex ventilation system but could be as simple as a cheap box fan in the coop that is turned on during the day (although make sure to place or hang the fan in an area the birds cannot reach and protect the cord away from curious chickens).

Shaded chicken coop and run

Finally, we need to know what heat stress looks like in our poultry. One of the easiest signs to see is panting. Chickens don’t sweat but they will pant when they are hot. They will also often squat to allow air to pass under their body and spread their wings to increase their surface area to help cool them off. If we see these signs in our flocks, we need to provide shade cooling or space to make our birds comfortable.

William Strickland
Hill Farm Research Station Regional Poultry Agent

Tips From The Farm

Innovative Uses for Empty 2-Liter Bottles on Your Homestead

Empty 2-liter bottles from your favorite soda can be more than just trash. With a bit of creativity, these bottles can serve multiple purposes around your property, helping you save money and reduce waste. Here are some practical and inventive ways to repurpose them:

1. Self-Watering Planters

Transform your empty bottles into self-watering planters. Cut the top third off, invert it, and place it into the bottom section. Attach this setup to a board for stability. Fill the top section with potting soil and plant your favorite herbs. Excess water drains into the bottom section and can be wicked up by the roots, ensuring your plants stay hydrated.

2. Bird Houses

Create cozy bird houses by cutting holes in the sides of the bottles. Hang them around your property to provide shelter for local birds. This simple project can attract various bird species, adding life and color to your homestead.

3. Water Level Indicators

Coat the inside of a bottle with bright paint, replace the cap tightly, and attach fishing line and a weight. Place this in a water trough. If the water level drops, the bottle will disappear from view, alerting you to a potential problem with your livestock's water supply.

4. Mini Greenhouses

Use bottles as mini greenhouses for starting seeds. Cut the bottles in half and place the bottom section over your seedlings. This creates a warm, humid environment that encourages germination and growth.

5. Makeshift Water Sprinklers

Create a simple water sprinkler by poking small holes along the sides of a bottle. Attach it to a water hose and lay it on its side in the area needing water. This DIY sprinkler can help you efficiently water your garden.

6. Storage Containers

Repurpose bottles as storage containers. They can hold various items such as screws, nails, or other small tools. Label them for easy identification and organization.

7. Tree Protectors

Cut off the top and bottom of the bottle, split the side, and place it around the base of trees. This protects the trees from damage when weed eating, ensuring their healthy growth.

These are just a few of the many ways you can repurpose 2-liter bottles to benefit your homestead. By finding new uses for these bottles, you not only reduce waste but also create practical solutions for everyday challenges.

Bill Waltman
Farm Manager
Red River Research Station

Happy Re-purposing!

The Great Outdoors with Chris Pearce

Successfully Planting Food Plots for Doves

Dove hunting over a well-prepared food plot is a great way for both experienced hunters and also newcomers to the sport of wing shooting, to enjoy days of fun while making lifelong memories. This age-old social tradition in the south also results in some of the tastiest table-fare our great outdoors has to offer.

With just a little effort, anyone who owns or leases property, can be successful. Plots as small as .5-1 acres can produce an abundance of game birds. With the opening of the 2025 Louisiana Dove season set for September 6th, your efforts need to start immediately though.

Simple recipe for success:

• Choose your site- doves prefer bare ground to feed, access to water, and nearby roosting trees.
• Take a soil sample (available at your local LSU AgCenter office).
• Mow the plot and chemically burn down the site with glyphosate to eliminate weeds.
• One week later, disk thoroughly and drag to prepare a firm seedbed.
• Follow soil sample recommendations or at least add 400 lbs. of 13-13-13 fertilizer and 1000 lbs. of lime per acre.
• Plant the recommended rate of black-oil sunflower seeds (80-120 days to maturity), brown-top millet (60-90 days to maturity), or pearl-millet (60-75 days to maturity). Growing multiple species in strips increases your chances of having mature seed heads available for doves to feed on at different times. Smaller seeds can be broadcast but sunflowers need to be planted an inch deep.
• After planting, lightly drag or use a harrow to cover seed and ensure good seed to soil contact and start praying for rain.
• 7-14 days prior to your planned hunting date, either physically burn or at least come back and mow strips through your plot and around the entire perimeter to allow doves access to bare ground and for easy bird retrieval.

Good luck, get outside, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Chris Pearce-
Sabine Parish Extension Office
ANR Agent

Spring Into Action to Avoid Predators

Warmer temperatures and longer days lead to increased predator activity as they seek food and mates. Many predators breed in spring, resulting in an increased demand to find food for their young. As they mature, these inexperienced young hunters often target smaller animals, like those on your homestead.

There are some simple steps you can take to protect your livestock from predators.

• A good strong/secure fence: having a solid barrier in place will limit access to your property. Layers of barriers will improve security. When a property has a fence of woven wire, chain link, or similar materials that limit opening sizes, this reduces the access point for many medium sized predators. Hot wire can be used to discourage animals from climbing over or under fences.
• Barns, coops, and hutches should be constructed of sturdy materials. Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire over windows and ventilation openings to prevent entry. Doors should be hung with heavy duty hinges and latches. Consider running buried hardware cloth, woven wire, or other materials around coops and hutches to prevent predators from digging under walls. Elevated coops and hutches should be protected from below by using solid floors and/or wire to prevent predators from entering from below or pulling animals through the wire. Flight netting spread over poultry yards and runs will prevent birds of prey from accessing poultry from above.
• Depending on the size and location of your homestead, type of livestock you have, and predator threats in your area, a livestock guard animal may be something to research.
• Make your yard less appealing to unwanted wildlife.
• Keep feed secured and do not leave pet food out to attract potential predators. Relocate potential ambush sites, like wood piles, as far from livestock areas as possible.
• Trim trees or shrubs located near coops or shelters to prevent access to roof areas.
• Regularly clean livestock areas and dispose of materials properly to reduce the number of rodents and other prey animals living alongside your livestock that might also attract predators.

It is important to stay vigilant. Inspect your animals’ shelters, enclosures, and your perimeter regularly for signs of damage or attempted entry points. This will allow you to quickly spot and address issues. View each animal at least once a day. Ideally, a headcount morning and evening will enable you to make certain all your animals are accounted for and unharmed. Dawn and dusk are peak times for many predators. Small livestock and especially poultry that forage in pasture should have some level of supervision in high predator pressure locations. Whether this supervision is done in person, using a livestock guardian, or remotely is up to the homestead needs.

Finally, learn as much as you can about the predators that may be in your area. Do your research. Learn more about each potential threat and what might attract them to your property. This will allow you to fine tune your defense methods to maximize their effectiveness. Reach out to your Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service at the LSU AgCenter or the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for guidance on wildlife laws, regulations, and management strategies to keep your livestock protected.

Valerie West
Bossier Extension Office
ANR Agent

Nana's Corner

Donna Haynes
Northwest Region Administrative Coordinator

Purple Thumbs: A Nostalgic Journey

Do you remember the days when purple stains on your thumbs or fingers were a badge of honor? This Nana is aging herself, but those were the times when you sat among family and friends with a big bowl on your lap. That bowl was full of purple hull peas, and before you knew it, you had a pile of pea shells, and a heart full of the good conversation you shared. Those were the good ole days.

I can almost smell those peas cooking, and of course, don't forget the cornbread to soak up the juicy goodness. This memory is sweet and a good reminder that lasting memories are found more in the simple things that only require our time.

Start Young with Simple Lessons

A bushel is a unit, equivalent to 32 quarts or 8 gallons. A peck is a quarter of a bushel, or 8 quarts. One bushel equals four pecks.

Nana's meaning to her grandson is, "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around your neck!" This was a saying my son's late Papa used to say to them, what a special quote!

Cherish these moments and the simple joys they bring. They are the threads that weave the fabric of our most treasured memories.

1. Triple was your shelled peas.
2. Shell and blanch peas in boiling water for about 2 minutes.
3. Immediately transfer to an ice bath.
4. Once cooled , drain thoroughly.
5. Pack in freezer safe container or bags. Store for up to 12 months in freezer.

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About Us

The LSU Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension Service is a vital institution that serves our state and country. As part of our educational mission, we organize various programs, including field days, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations. designed to provide attendees with valuable knowledge about homesteading, food production in small backyard acreages, and food preservation. Our goal is to empower participants to effectively care for their land, livestock, and natural resources.