(04/16/21) You don’t need a large yard or a lot of space to create a beautiful garden. You can fill planters or containers with colorful plants.
[Video](4/19/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard introduces you can easily grow microgreens inside your home.
[Video](4/12/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains that while the plant is not dead, now is a good time to remove the dead fronds to prepare the way for new fronds.
(04/09/21) Flowers are perfect for adding attractive blooms to our landscapes and gardens. They attract both humans and pollinators.
[Video](4/5/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why the Beacon impatiens can dependably add many vibrant colors to your landscape.
[Video](3/29/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard describes some different types of azaleas, and explains when to plant them and how to care for them.
(03/26/21) Organic, natural pesticides and fertilizers and native plants are increasingly popular and help keep landscapes safe for pollinators.
(03/19/21) The azaleas are showing off right now, putting on their annual spring spectacular despite the recent sleet, snow and extended freezing temperatures.
[Video](3/22/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can start your attack on weeds now — before they even show up.
[Video](3/15/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains what you can mix into the soil to help your plants grow their best.
Mulching is one of the most basic and essential tasks of gardening. Mulch provides many benefits.
(03/05/21) The winter weather that the Bayou State experienced the week of Mardi Gras severely damaged many of our plants, including palm trees.
[Video](3/8/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to properly prune and fertilize those plants.
[Video](3/1/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard cautions against being too hasty in cutting and pruning freeze-damaged plants.
(02/26/21) As we approach spring in Louisiana, now is a good time to start prepping your landscape and vegetable gardens for plants.
(02/19/21) It will take time to see the full scope of damage from our recent freezes. Don't rush to prune or remove plants.
[Video](2/23/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to properly prune rose blooms.
[Video](2/16/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some advantages of planting this gorgeous landscape tree.
(02/12/21) Flowering cherry trees are true showstoppers. These trees can be seen blooming around Louisiana in February and March.
[Video](2/8/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard describes some of the flowering plants in a pot that you can buy for your loved ones.
(02/05/21) For those of you who keep a vegetable garden, it’s time to get those potatoes in the ground.
(01/29/21) As gardeners, we sometimes find ourselves in tough situations we just cannot figure out. The LSU AgCenter offers many services that can help you.
[Video](2/1/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains whichplants you can prune back during this time and which ones you should not prune.
(01/22/21) For trees and shrubs that are grown for their flowers, you must consider when they bloom before you decide when to prune them.
[Video](1/25/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains what it means when you see these and whether they’re good or bad for your trees.
[Video](1/18/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can plant a tree in your own yard.
(01/15/21) National Seed Swap Day is Jan. 30. Join the gardeners who are carrying on the time-honored, cost-effective tradition of saving and exchanging seeds.
(01/08/21) You may have noticed gray coloring on the trunks of some trees and shrubs. No need for concern. Most likely, these harmless organisms.
(01/01/21) This time of year is a great time to get outside and get things done in the garden.
[Video](1/4/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to treat scale, helping your magnolias thrive.
[Video](12/28/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains where to place these beautiful plants into your landscape.
(12/25/20) Crape myrtles are one of the most controversial and often-discussed ornamental plants. How did it become such a hot topic?
(12/18/20)The thought of Japanese maples brings an air of tranquility and visual thoughts of an Oriental garden.
[Video](12/27/20) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains that one of this year’s cool weather sources of color might surprise you.
[Video](12/20/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests gardening gifts to complete your list.
(12/11/20) Here are some pointers to keep your live holiday plants looking beautiful for the remainder of the season.
[Video](12/14/20) Ornamental grasses are easy-care plants that can provide a nice screen in your landscape.
[Video](12/7/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to select a healthy Christmas tree and then how to care for it.
(12/04/20) As we wrap up the year, we have many things to do to prepare for winter and spring.
(11/27/20) And many types of beautiful plant materials are available to work with this time of year to spruce up and decorate your home for the season.
[Video](11/30/20) AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how windmill palms are being killed by a disease called lethal bronzing.
(11/20/20) Mid- to late November is the best time for buying daffodil, snowdrop, tulip, narcissus, hyacinth and crocus bulbs to allow them enough chilling.
(11/13/20) If you enjoy a tropical look to your landscape, palm trees can provide it.
(11/06/20) Ornamental grasses are commonly used plants in many home and commercial landscapes.
[Video](11/16/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to care for your hydrangeas now so they can look their best next spring.
[Video](11/9/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some things you can do to repair small trees and shrubs damaged by destructive winds.
(10/30/20) Surprise! There was a hurricane, and these lilies might be telling you about the weather.
[Video](11/2/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to harvest and store caladium bulbs.
[Video](10/26/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests some plants you can use to paint your yard with the warm shades of fall.
(10/23/20) Second to sod webworms, common lespedeza is winning the lawn headache contest right now.
(10/16/20) There’s a great deal of work to be done after a storm.
[Video](10/12/20) LSU AgCenter turf specialist Ron Strahan explains what you can do to fight one of the most prolific weeds of all—nutsedge.
[Video](10/19/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains on this edition of Get It Growing, you can grow olive trees right here in Louisiana.
(10/09/20) Insects, including bees, butterflies, caterpillars and moths, are in full force this fall.
(01/02/20) One thing you should be harvesting this time of year is your caladium bulbs for planting again next year.
[Video](10/5/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests some great pink plants that can also help you make a statement.
[Video](9/28/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to know if your lawn is being damaged by sod webworms and what to do to stop them
(09/25/20) There are so many things we can do in the garden this time of year. Fall is a great time to work in the landscape.
(09/18/20) LSU AgCenter offices across the state are getting call after call as lawn after lawn is experiencing devastating loss of turfgrass.
[Video](9/21/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains the signs of this insect’s damage and some things you can do about it.
[Video](9/14/20) On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard talks about the latest Super Plant edition
(09/11/20) Why not honor breast cancer patients and survivors by going pink in your flower beds and getting a head start this month?
(09/04/20) This year we celebrate by adding two true native woody plants: American beautyberry and our state tree, bald cypress.
[Video](9/7/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some other reasons why the candlestick plant, or cassia, is a great choice for you.
[Video](8/31/20) On this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard talks about how to get rid of Virginia buttonweed.
(08/28/20) During the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, many people had more time on their hands.
(08/21/20) Your trees may still have green figs that just won’t seem to ripen, and that can be for many reasons.
[Video](8/24/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to gather seeds so you can grow more wonderful herbs.
[Video](8/17/20) It’s called bark scale, and on this edition of Get it Growing, horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains what you can do to get rid of it.
(08/14/20) Crape myrtle bark scale is an introduced insect pest from Asia, and it has great affinity for crape myrtle trees. The problem often goes unnoticed.
(08/07/20) It’s August in Louisiana, and we don’t recommend doing much in the garden or, shall we say, not much in this heat.
(07/31/20) Thanks to plants and the sun, we as humans can eat, breathe and live. Ultimately, our survival depends on them.
[Video](8/3/20) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains on this edition of Get It Growing, it’s a good time to plan your fall landscape
[Video] (8/10/20) Here are some steps she recommends to minimize impacts of fig leaf rust.
(07/24/20) Summertime is the best time to just sit back and enjoy your garden. And while you’re at it, you can start thinking about fall gardening.
[Video](7/27/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard points out some nutrient sources you can serve your plants.
[Video] (7/20/20) Recently, the days have been scorchers — both for us and our plants. July is smart irrigation month.
(07/17/20) Does your lantana have yellowed leaves or brown spots? Is it pale and sickly looking with no flowers? The likely culprit is lace bugs.
(07/10/20) As a homeowner, you can make water-wise landscaping decisions.
[Video](7/13/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains there are some ways you can stop these destructive insects.
[Video](7/6/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some of the simple materials you’ll need to get your pumpkins growing.
(07/03/20) July can be a tough month in Louisiana due to heat, high humidity, and increased disease and insect pressure.
(06/26/20) Growing plants in containers can be very convenient. For one thing, it makes your plants portable.
[Video](6/29/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can extract seeds from your vegetables to plant your next crops.
[Video](7/6/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard demonstrates how to easily propagate plants from cuttings.