(Audio 06/09/08) Even in the hot summer, we need to care for our landscape, but working in the sun can be dangerous. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill has some tips for summer gardening. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Louisiana gets a lot of rain, but it isn’t spaced out uniformly. Sometimes there’s too much rain, and other times there are periods of drought. Plants do better, however, with a more uniform water supply.

There are not a whole lot of heat-loving vegetable crops, laments LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. In late spring, you can plant collards, vine crops such as squash, cucumber and pumpkins, or crops like okra, malabar vine spinach and southern peas.

Rain that falls in your yard should soak into your yard. It's good for the landscape and protects waterways.

As our communities expand, we lament the loss of birds and other wildlife, but often our own yards are partly to blame. You can provide habitat for wildlife in your landscape.

A responsible and environmentally friendly approach to pest management is Integrated Pest Management.

Diseases occur on landscape plants when environmental conditions are suitable for pathogens to develop on them. Prevention is the key to management.

Weeds are the No. 1 pest in Louisiana lawns. They are in direct competition with lawns for essential nutrients, water and light.

Adequate soil moisture is essential for a thriving landscape. Providing uniform moisture is critical for most plants to prevent drought stress during dry periods.

A mulch layer around trees, shrubs, planted beds and bare ground provides many benefits.