These publications are designed to help Louisiana residents recover from floods, storms, extended power outages and other stressful, dangerous events.

A quarterly newsletter from the Horticulture Division of the LSU AgCenter's School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences.

Hunters and land managers are always seeking new and more innovative ways to improve the quality and attractiveness of their hunting areas. “What should I plant to attract and hold deer on my hunting area?" Find your answers in this publication.

These cool-season crops are somewhat hardy and will tolerate various degrees of frost. They grow best in the fall when the weather turns from warm to cool. Recommended varieties, soil preparation, fertilization and pest control are included. (Revised 9/15/08)

Audio segments featuring gardening advice and tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill.

Information card on where to look for termites in trees

Information card on tackling termite problems when beginning a renovation project

Information card on places to look for Formosan subterranean termite Infestations

(Distributed 10/06/08) Ray Schexnayder farms 1,800 acres of soybeans in Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes. Hurricanes Gustav and Ike left his fields scattered with tree limbs, and some covered with water. “We had 200 acres that flooded. There’s nothing to them, just a little dry stem now.”

Much of Louisiana’s cotton crop was open and ready for picking when hurricanes Gustav and Ike raged into the state in early September. What’s left is about half of the once-promising crop destroyed. All together, LSU AgCenter economists are predicting losses nearing $1 billion to Louisiana farmers, ranchers, foresters and fishers and to the industries’ infrastructures and support services.

(Audio 10/06/08) Sweet peas are one of the most outstanding annual, flowering vines we can grow here in Louisiana. They are attractive for both the color and the fragrance they provide. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Most summer-blooming perennials have stopped blooming by now. This is a good time to tidy up around where these plants were flourishing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Mulches are one of the most important gardening techniques we use in our landscapes. Mulches are particularly useful in supressing weed growth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Ripe strawberries are one of spring's greatest treats. Louisiana gardeners can enjoy the freshest strawberries by growing their own in their home gardens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Louisiana gardeners use tropical plants in containers outside during the summer. You should begin preparing these plants if you plan to keep them inside during the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio New 10/06/08) Louisiana’s shrimp industry sustained significant damage from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The industry was recovering, but damage from Gustav and Ike will set them back again, according to LSU AgCenter aquaculture agent Mark Shirley. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 10/06/08) Hurricanes Gustav and Ike affected crawfish ponds across the state. The biggest hit came from Ike’s storm surge in Southwest Louisiana. LSU AgCenter aquaculture agent Mark Shirley explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 10/06/08) Wind and water damaged alligator farms, and the hurricanes will affect next year’s alligator crop. LSU AgCenter aquaculture agent Mark Shirley reports that some alligator farms sustained damage to sheds, and the real problem will come next summer when alligator farms typically pick up eggs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/03/08) The aftereffects of two hurricanes last month are still being felt in north and south Louisiana rice fields.

Smart Bodies is an educational program aimed at preventing childhood obesity. A joint initiative of the LSU AgCenter and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, Smart Bodies integrates classroom activities with hands-on learning to teach children how to build strong bodies and develop active minds.

Agriculture and tourism together present unique opportunities for farmers to diversify and expand their operations. This brochure provides the steps in developing an agritourism business venture.

(TV News 09/29/08) Three years later, the scars of Hurricane Rita are still evident in lower Vermilion Parish. Hurricane Ike opened up fresh wounds, and the area’s agricultural industry is starting to assess the damage. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

Louisiana Sweet Potato News aims to update and inform all those associated with or interested in Louisiana sweet potatoes. Among the topics featured in this newsletter are such items as crop profiles, information related to various aspects of sweet potato production, the latest details on insect, weed and disease management, and current industry news and events.

Louisiana gardeners are as active in the fall as they are the rest of the year. And the LSU AgCenter has a wealth of information to help you keep your landscaping green and blooming year-round.

(Distributed 09/10/08) One sure vestige of a hurricane or bad blow is a large, dead area of the lawn. It usually is located near curbside where yard debris is piled up for many days.

(Distributed 09/07/08) When disasters happen, dedicated volunteers and professionals swing into action to help those affected by the tragedy. But these helpers also have needs, says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White.

(Distributed 09/07/08) You probably can’t avoid the stress coming in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, but you can manage it, says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White.

(Distributed 09/07/08) A child may continue to be fearful following a hurricane because of the uncertainty of the future. “A child can mix up real fear and make-believe fear. This is OK, and a parent or other care-giver can help in many ways,” says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White.

(Audio 09/29/08) Louisiana gardeners use transplants to establish many vegetables and bedding plants. Transplants normally are young plants grown from seeds in a container and then added to your garden. It is very important that you get these transplants off to a good start. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) Many summer-flowering bulbs will continue to bloom well into the fall. Even though they are still growing and blooming, they are reaching the end of their season. October is not a good time to fertilize these plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) October is when we really begin to focus on cool-season plantings in our vegetable garden. You may still have some fall peppers and tomatoes in your garden, but for the purposes of planting you should really focus on the cool-season vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) Gardeners often purchase the seeds they need to grow flowers or vegetables from seed racks at a local nursery. They may also mail-order seeds. And there are occasions when it's possible to save seeds from plants in your garden and use them for new plantings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) We plant caladiums because of the colorful leaves they produce, and they make shaded areas more attractive. These plants grow from tubers much like potatoes. You can use that tuber to grow your caladiums in the following years, but you may need to dig it up and store it this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Container plants offer many benefits. They can embellish an area where plants won't grow, and they are easily movable. One of the drawbacks of growing plants in containers is that the root system eventually will outgrow the container. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/01/08) Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) is Louisiana’s state tree, and it is one of our featured trees at LaHouse on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. As one of our most distinguished native trees, it is one of the top five tree species planted in Louisiana landscapes.

Louisianians take pride in the appearance of their lawns and landscapes. Weeds, however, can detract from that appearance and frustrate homeowners. Information on adaptation, light, soils and mulch can be found in this publication.

(Distributed 09/30/08) Ten LSU AgCenter faculty members were part of a multi-state team that received the 1st Place National and Southern Region Program Excellence through Research Award at the Galaxy III National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) conference held Sept. 15-19 in Indianapolis, Ind.

(Distributed 9/29/08) ABBEVILLE – The LSU AgCenter is working closely with the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, state Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Louisiana Farm Bureau to get affected cattle producers back on their feet along coastal Louisiana following hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

(Radio News 09/29/08) Many cattle in Louisiana's coastal areas were left stranded by floodwaters from Hurricane Ike. LSU AgCenter agents, such as Vermilion Parish agent Andrew Granger, are organizing a feed distribution effort for producers that have no feed for the cattle. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Experiences during the teenage years play a large role in determining whether teenagers go on to become productive and engaged citizens as adults.

This eight-page tabloid-style report includes 14 articles about the latest in research and extension programs of the LSU AgCenter funded in part through the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board. Articles include the comeback of wheat production in the state, the multi-disciplinary approach to the “green bean syndrome” in soybeans, new methods for soil tests and the latest on Asian soybean rust.

(For Release On Or After 10/31/08) Few flowering bulbs can surpass the stately beauty of the amaryllis. Typically blooming in April, this popular bulb is a star performer in the spring garden.

(For Release On Or After 10/24/08) 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 Or After 10/17/08) As the days shorten and temperatures gradually become cooler, it is apparent summer is finally ending. Lawn care definitely begins to change during this time of year.

(For Release On Or After 10/10/08)In my previous column I discussed weed control in the landscape. I focused primarily on preventive and corrective methods of controlling weeds without using herbicides.

(For Release On Or After 10/03/08) There are lots of reasons why we shouldn’t let weeds grow in our landscapes.

The LSU AgCenter's mission is to serve Louisiana. And the employees did. In some cases, they were there to help others after hurricanes Katrina and Rita at great personal sacrifice to themselves. Read about the LSU AgCenter's response.

(Distributed 09/29/08) Louisiana 4-H’ers will join others across the country in the celebration of National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11. The main focus of the week is to celebrate the accomplishments of the young people, volunteer leaders and parents involved in 4-H Clubs – as well as to encourage others to become involved in the unique youth development program.

Camellia flower blight is by far the most serious disease of camellias in Louisiana. This disease is caused by the fungus Ciborinia camelliae. This publication includes information on the symptoms, control and life cycle of the fungus.

(Radio News 09/30/08) Many cattle producers and their herds in Southwest Louisiana were affected by Hurricane Ike. LSU AgCenter agent Andrew Granger of Vermilion Parish is working with the cattle relief effort. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 9/30/08) Hurricane Ike tipped the losses in the Louisiana sweet potato crop to 50 percent. Farmer Ken Thornhill in Franklin Parish has started harvesting his fields, but he said he is seeing some encouraging results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/29/08) Hurricane Gustav dumped 18 inches of rain on Ken Thornhill’s sweet potato fields. Hurricane Ike didn’t hit his fields in Franklin Parish as hard, but growers across the state are reeling from the two storms. According to early estimates, the state will lose 50 percent of its crop. The excessive water is causing the potatoes to rot in the field, says LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Dr. Tara Smith. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 10/06/08) There was no shortage of rain across Louisiana’s sweet potato-growing regions before the hurricanes hit in September. Then, as LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports, Gustav and Ike soaked the already saturated fields and devastated the state's sweet potato industry. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Video 09/29/08) As temperatures begin to transition and the weather goes from being warmer to cooler, it’s a tricky time to decide what’s best to plant in your flower gardens. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the pros and cons of planting cool- and warm-season bedding plants this time of year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Video 10/06/08) Most people plant roses in the spring. That’s a good time to plant them; but fall also is an excellent season to get your rose plants into the ground. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the advantages of planting fall roses. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Video 09/22/08) After the hurricane force winds Louisiana had in September, scores of dead trees are sprawled on lawns and at curbs. Some are even on homes. But amidst the destruction LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill has an important lesson -- in this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) Garlic is an outstanding vegetable with all kinds of health benefits. Most people don't know how easy it is to plant and maintain in their own vegetable gardens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Azalea lace bugs are the leading insect pest of azaleas in Louisiana. These lacy-winged insects live on the underside of the plant's leaves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Caladiums are one of the most reliable summer bedding plants for adding color to shady areas in our landscapes. In September, caladiums become dormant, and we must decide whether to remove them from the landscape for storing or allow them to remain in the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Everybody loves a fresh and juicy tree-ripened peach. A peach tree is a popular item to grow in home landscapes. You can plant one in your landscape, but, before you do, be aware that peach trees can have insect and disease problems. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) Mulches are materials spread over soil in our landscape beds and gardens. One of a mulch's most important benefits is weed control. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) If we have a hot and dry September, there is a good chance chinch bugs will be prevalent in our lawns. A possible sign you have chinch bugs is an area of dead grass that starts small and rapidly begins to enlarge. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) September ushers in a changing of the seasons to some degree. Remember that most flowering trees and shrubs have already set their buds. Anything that blooms from October to May should not be pruned now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) Lousiana gardeners can do a lot of planting in new beds from September on into November. This includes cool-season vegetables and bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) September weather in Louisiana is not typically fall-like, but the shorter days tell our plants it is time to slow down and prepare for winter. This means you should be careful when choosing what to fertilize. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/26/08) The totals related to hurricanes Gustav and Ike include up to $763 million in lost revenue to Louisiana farmers, ranchers, foresters and fishers and as much as $175 million to $200 million in additional damage to the equipment and facilities that form the industries’ infrastructure.

(Radio News 09/30/08) Many cattle in coastal areas were left stranded by flood waters from Hurricane Ike. LSU AgCenter agents are organizing a feed distribution effort for producers that have no feed for their cattle, LSU AgCenter Vermilion Parish agent Andrew Granger said.

(Audio 09/22/08) The prime tree-planting season is right around the corner. It is best to plant trees and shrubs from November into the early part of December. While it is still too hot to actually plant trees, it would be a good idea to evaluate your landscape now and find out where you may need more shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) Late summer is a great time to evaluate the flower beds in your landscape. There are a variety of things you should make notes on, such as the performance of the plants found in the beds and which plants were succesful and which ones you won't plant again. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) September and October are transitional months in Louisiana. We begin to cycle out of summer's intense heat as we see cooler weather move in. We also may notice much drier weather, which means you will find yourself watering your garden more frequently. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) The Louisiana iris is one of the most beautiful perennial flowering plants you can plant in your garden. Since these plants are native to Louisiana, it's easy to see why they do so well here. They go dormant in the summer. This means if you have been looking to transplant your iris, now is the time to do so. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 9/30/08) Hurricane Ike’s slow-moving storm surge crept into areas of Vermilion Parish that had already seen devastating floods three years earlier from Hurricane Rita. Crop land damaged by salt water in 2005 was just returning to normal production. LSU AgCenter county agent Stuart Gauthier says many sugarcane fields that went under water could feel the effects for several years. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) In the past, azaleas flowered in one huge gush in late March and into early April. Now gardeners can plant new groups of azaleas that will bloom in the spring and again in the fall. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/26/08) One of the most exciting new plants for home gardeners released in the past few years has been the Knock Out rose. It is receiving a lot of attention, and rightfully so. More than 6 million plants are being sold every year across the country. This rose fits perfectly into a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape.

A quarterly newsletter from the LSU AgCenter's Family and Consumer Sciences Division.

(Distributed 09/25/08) Louisiana waterfowl hunters should make sure they are following the law when hunting in crop-damaged areas of the state this year, according to a wildlife specialist with the LSU AgCenter.

Following are pages of photos shot by AgCenter Communications photographers of the effects of hurricanes Gustav and Ike on agriculture and communities in Louisiana. They include photos from three of the AgCenter research stations in the Baton Rouge area – Sugar Station, Central Station and Burden Center. The photos include the photographer’s name and the date the photo was taken.

(Distributed 09/23/08) The 2008 Fall Garden Show in New Orleans will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Oct. 18-19.

(Distributed 09/19/08) Healthy trees can make for safer neighborhoods and healthier relationships between neighbors, according to an urban forester with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/18/08) Residents of Cameron and Calcasieu parishes are still coping with the ordeal of putting their lives back together after Hurricane Ike. People began trickling back to their homes in Cameron and Grand Chenier to see if anything remains to be cleaned up, although they are not being allowed to stay. Cattle owners were struggling to deal with herds still in the marsh.

(Distributed 09/19/08) Hurricane Gustav dumped 18 inches of rain on Ken Thornhill’s sweet potato fields in Franklin Parish. Hurricane Ike didn’t hit his fields as hard, but sweet potato growers across the state are reeling from the two storms. “It’s really a sad period of time for Louisiana’s sweet potato industry,” Thornhill said.

(Distributed 09/17/08) The deadline has been extended to Sept. 30 for farmers who need waivers from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to qualify for federal disaster insurance to help cover their losses from hurricanes Gustav and Ike. “The deadline had been Sept. 16, but because some of the FSA offices were without power because of the hurricanes, the deadline was extended a couple of weeks,” said Dr. Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter agricultural economist.

(Distributed 09/19/08) LSU AgCenter Chancellor Bill Richardson was part of a group of agricultural representatives that met with Louisiana’s Congressional delegation earlier this week to provide an accurate picture of the severe damage caused to Louisiana agriculture as a result of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The different types of leaves, abundance of blooms, aroma of flowers and color of mature fruit of different types of citrus add to the aesthetic value of the landscape. Citrus in the landscape also can provide excellent quality, nutritional fruit. So citrus is the ideal fruit for the homeowner. Recommended varieties and descriptions, as well as tips on site selection, planting, spacing and pruning, are included. (Revised September 2008)

This series provides a variety of information for home vegetable gardeners. Topics include beans, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, peppers, onions, shallots, garlic and many more of the favorites of home gardeners.

Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project.

(TV News 09/15/08) Hurricane Gustav tore through Louisiana -- uprooting trees, pulling down power lines and damaging homes and structures. Louisiana's agricultural industries did not escape the storm’s wrath. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has early estimates of destruction to the state’s commodities. (Runtime: 2 minutes)

(Video 09/15/08) Fallen and leaning trees serve as reminders of Hurricane Gustav’s destructive power. But should all of these trunks end up in garbage piles? In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how small trees that have bent or toppled might still be saved. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) When you buy transplants from your local nursery or gardening center, it is important to remember that those transplants have lived a very sheltered life. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/16/08) Coastal residents assessing their damage from Hurricane Ike compared this storm with the Hurricane Rita in 2005. In Vermilion Parish, residents said the water rose much slower and was not as high. That wasn’t the case in Cameron Parish, where LSU AgCenter county agent Gary Wicke said the surge even reached the Lake Charles airport.

(Distributed 09/12/08) LSU AgCenter economists estimate Louisiana’s agricultural damage from Hurricane Gustav will total hundreds of millions of dollars while stressing the economic losses stretch well beyond the losses to farmers and associated businesses.

(Distributed 09/11/08) Red Cross officials were so impressed by the inaugural operation of the Louisiana Emergency Shelter near Alexandria during Hurricane Gustav they have invited the manager to address chapter and city officials in New York City later this year.

(Distributed 09/11/08) Earl Fontenot may have to wait a month before any losses are apparent in his sweet potato crop after Hurricane Gustav. “It’s too early to tell if we’re going to have some loss,” he said. “But it’s not looking good. They are under stressful conditions now.”

(Distributed 09/11/08) For the first time in the history of the LSU AgCenter, a powerful storm did not completely shut down communications in the hardest-hit areas.

(Distributed 09/10/08) Louisiana’s farmers are facing lost income from reduced yields and product quality in the neighborhood of $370 to $450 million as a result of the effects of Hurricane Gustav, according to economists with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/10/08) Rains from Hurricane Gustav significantly affected a diversity of crops in Northeast Louisiana – particularly with parts of Tensas and Franklin parishes getting 19 inches of rain.

(Distributed 09/10/08) Hurricane Gustav caused many problems for people throughout Louisiana, and wildlife also are feeling the effects of the storm.

(Distributed 09/09/08) WHITEVILLE – Farmer Jeffrey Sylvester gazed over a field that looked more suited for water-skiing than growing rice. “There’s a rice crop under that water,” he said. “That’s all standing rice.”

(Distributed 09/08/08) Louisiana’s commercial ornamental horticulture industry received significant but not major damage from the effects of Hurricane Gustav, according to experts at the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 09/05/08) Rain resulting from Hurricane Gustav across the crawfish-producing parishes of Louisiana may cause problems for crawfish producers, according to LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialists Greg Lutz and Mark Shirley.

(Distributed 09/05/08) Louisiana agricultural producers who suffered crop damage from Hurricane Gustav need crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance coverage to be eligible to participate in federal disaster assistance programs, according to LSU AgCenter agricultural economist Kurt Guidry.

(Distributed 09/05/08) Most of the mosquitoes being bred in the standing water left in Louisiana from Hurricane Gustav are not the kind that carry West Nile virus, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist and mosquito expert Wayne Kramer.

(Distributed 09/05/08) Rice is among the many Louisiana agricultural commodities hurt by Hurricane Gustav, although the majority of the crop had been harvested in the southwest Louisiana rice belt before the storm came through.

(Distributed 09/04/08) The LSU AgCenter has made available a 32-page Storm Recovery Guide for Homeowners to help Louisianians in the cleanup after Hurricane Gustav. This guide is free at any LSU AgCenter parish extension office or research station. If you cannot get to your local office or if the office is temporarily closed, you may order the publication over the Internet.

(Distributed 09/04/08) Hurricane Gustav put a lot of limbs and whole trees on the ground in various areas of the state, and many people already are working on cleanup efforts. An LSU AgCenter forest safety specialist says safety should be a major consideration during those efforts – particularly when it comes to use of a chainsaw.

(Distributed 08/29/08) With Gustav bearing down on the Louisiana coast, homes that have been stripped for repair since hurricanes Katrina and Rita – and those that are now elevated on columns – may be subject to high winds for the first time.

(Distributed 08/29/08) Homeowners face many issues after a hurricane. If the home has escaped major structural damage, one of the first problems encountered may be the loss of electrical power.

(Distributed 08/27/08) The LSU AgCenter has a wealth of information on preparing for hurricanes and other storms as well as what to do in the aftermath of a storm.

(Distributed 08/25/08) The remnants of Tropical Storm Fay have put Louisiana farmers in a wait-and-see mode. They are waiting to get back into their fields to plant and harvest crops while seeing the quality of crops ready for harvest being diminished by the wet weather, say LSU AgCenter experts.

(Audio 09/01/08) Many plants are part of the onion family, and we can grow these in our home vegetable gardens. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticuluturist Dan Gill offers help with planting these potent vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) During late summer, it is not unusual to have a lot of afternoon showers. This can often lead to increasingly soggy conditions and eventually lawn fungus. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) Mature trees are one of the most valuable and irreplaceable things in your landscape. When adding to your home or doing new construction, it is important to be careful when working around these trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) Louisiana gardeners love pecans, and the pecan tree can be a nice addition to your landscape. There are a couple things you should keep in mind when growing a pecan tree, and LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides tips in this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) There are a wide variety of vegetables you can plant in September. You can plant both warm-season and cool-season vegetables at this time. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) You have been mowing your lawn all summer. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulurist Dan Gill talks about what to do with the grass clippings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/16/08) Classes on how to do business online will be offered in four locations across the state, beginning in Oak Grove on Sept. 23. The two-day classes are offered jointly by the LSU AgCenter, the Southern University Agricultural Center and the Louisiana Economic Development Department (LED).

Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Summer 2008

The following articles appeared in the summer 2008 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.

(Distributed 09/15/08) If you don’t include mulches in your gardening efforts, you really should give them a try. You will be amazed by how much they spare you from weeding and how nice they can make your yard and garden look.

This comprehensive publication covers the importance of harvesting techniques, as well as curing and storage conditions, that will promote quality and extend the storage life of sweet potatoes. It also includes information on packing line sanitation, product safety, certification standards and USDA grade standards for sweet potatoes. (Produced by North Carolina State University and the LSU AgCenter -- PDF Format Only)

(Distributed 09/15/08) Dr. Ron Levy has been named the state soybean specialist for the LSU AgCenter effective Sept. 15 according to Dr. Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor for extension.

For an increasing number of forest landowners, a forest is an investment. Understanding the basics of forest investments is essential in planning for long-term maximum benefits.

(Video 09/08/08) If you haven’t started your fall vegetable garden yet, now is a good time to plant it. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides you with tips on getting your fall cucumbers planted. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Video 09/01/08) With fall fast approaching, it’s a great time to grow a vegetable garden in Louisiana. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to choose the right fall tomatoes and bell peppers and how to plant them correctly. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Radio News 09/12/08) Most crops in the state suffered damage from Hurricane Gustav, but some commodities were hardest hit by the storm. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says the state’s cotton crop, which is near harvest, suffered wind and rain damage, and the storm drowned many sweet potato fields. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

This guide includes helpful information on herbicides and weed control with detailed suggestions for aquatics, commercial nursery stock, field crops, forestry, fruit crops, home gardens, lawns and many other Louisiana crops. It includes information on different types of herbicide registrations, as well as information on herbicide labels and restricted uses. Also included are sprayer calibration techniques, suggestions for reducing herbicide drift and a guide to proper spray tip selection.

(Radio News 09/12/08) Hurricane Gustav tore through Louisiana -- uprooting trees, pulling down power lines and damaging homes and structures. Louisiana’s agricultural industries did not escape the storm’s wrath either. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Harvest has begun in Louisiana for one of our most popular crops – the sweet potato. Louisiana farmers produce about 5 million bushels a year. The total value to the Louisiana economy in 2007 was more than $110 million. Louisiana boasts the only sweet potato research station in the country – a 307-acre facility in Chase. The Sweet Potato Research Station will host a field day Aug. 14.

(TV News 09/08/08) Many soybean growers are trying to get into their fields to harvest their crops, but rain is slowing them down. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard spoke with the AgCenter’s newly-appointed soybean specialist about the 2008 crop. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(TV News 09/01/08) After years of low prices, the situation for rice farmers is looking up this year. Growers across the state are harvesting their crops and finding good news in the fields. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

The LSU AgCenter conducts greenhouse and landscape research on many new bedding plants each year to determine production practices to assist growers and observe performance in the landscape to provide garden centers, landscape professionals and home gardeners information on how these plants will perform under Louisiana’s growing conditions.

Herbaceous perennials are winter hardy ornamental plants that reappear each spring from their crowns or root systems. Many species can be used as groundcovers or landscape plantings to provide color for extended seasons. Some major species in production and landscape use are daylily, lantana, verbena, purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan.

Japanese holly fern is a popular fern in the southeastern United States. This plant is native to Japan. It forms a rounded mound that can be up to 3 feet wide and 1 1/2 feet tall. The foliage is glossy and very dark green.

Access to broadband technology in rural areas remains limited. In the United States, broadband refers to the set of technologies that provide a connection to the Internet, such as phone lines, satellite, fixed and mobile wireless and cable.

When Jere McBride was hired, he was the youngest administrator in the LSU AgCenter at age 36.

Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project.

Whether you are just replacing a few shingles or have damage that requires you to strip your roof down to the rafters, you can take steps at every stage of work to minimize future storm damage. In addition, for new construction and substantial remodeling or repair, you’ll have to meet residential building codes designed to reduce potential roof damage from storms.

If you live in Louisiana, your primary objective in raising a home is likely to be flood avoidance, even if you’re not in an identified flood hazard area. Elevation is the most effective on-site method of reducing future flood damage.

Louisiana Wildlife News is a bi-monthly publication intended to serve as an outlet for wildlife issues relevant to Louisiana and the Southeast. In addition to current news events, profiles on specific plant, wildlife and nuisance wildlife species are included in each issue.

Important information to help a new mother. Includes suggestions on when to call the doctor, home safety, first aid, growth and development, temper tantums, potty training and much more.

Forest owners who wish to increase the profitability of growing sawtimber with loblolly or slash pine plantations should consider including fertilization in their management plans. This publication provides information about why, when and how to fertilize a southern pine plantation to improve growth rates and financial performance of plantation management. (PDF Format Only)

The use of the twin-drill (twin-row) configuration on 36- to 40-inch-wide beds is of interest to Midsouth producers, but as yet it is unproven as a yield enhancement practice for most agronomic crops.

LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners and Kids Hope volunteers have helped transform a once dull courtyard at University Terrace Elementary school into a flowering oasis.

A “gorilla” of a barnyardgrass and a “tough critter” nematode are two of the problems being tackled by LSU AgCenter researchers as reported at the June 24, 2008, field day at the Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph.

Farmers must rely on fungicides to protect their crops from certain diseases. One of the most serious of these diseases is Asian soybean rust, which is spread by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi.

Production input expenses for crop producers continue to rise. To reduce these costs, particularly fuel and labor, growers can co-apply multiple pesticides and eliminate trips across fields.

The Chinese tallow tree is a familiar sight growing in yards and along fence rows throughout Louisiana, though some may not recognize this name. In southern Louisiana, it is commonly called “chicken”or “chicken-foot” tree, presumably because its seeds hang in clusters that offersome resemblance to a chicken’s foot.

Once rooted in rural America, 4-H has significantly diversified over its 100 years of existence. Although 4-H has changed as society has changed, much of its success can be traced to its roots and original mission.

Transgenic plants that express insecticidal proteins from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) have become standard for managing many caterpillar pests in cotton.

(Radio News 09/01/08) Heavy rains have soaked many