See More

Get It Growing: Beat soggy conditions by growing container vegetables

[Video](7/26/21) Heather Kirk Ballard explains how you can beat the soggy conditions by growing container vegetable gardens.

Get It Growing: Propagation is good way to produce more figs

[Video](7/19/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to propagate fig branches so you can plant more of these fruit-bearing trees.

Get It Growing: Split leaf philodendron creates a tropical oasis

[Video](7/12/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk Ballard talks about the advantages of the durable and beautiful tropical plant.

Get It Growing: Hardy hibiscus has giant, colorful flowers

[Video](7/5/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to properly care for your hardy hibiscus.

Get It Growing: Coneflowers are drought, heat-tolerant

[Video](6/28/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk Ballard explains some other coneflower features, as well as tips on how to properly care for them.

Celebrate National Pollinator Week by growing pollinator plants

[Video](6/21/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard talks about plants that can attract pollinators, while coloring your landscape.

Protect and promote pollinators

(06/11/21) June 21 to 27 is National Pollinator Week, and the focus is “Pollinators, Plants, People, Planet."

Get It Growing: Cut flowers in vegetable gardens

Heather Kirk Ballard explains on this edition of Get It Growing, the beautiful colors are not the only advantage of adding these to your rows of vegetables.

Get It Growing: Prime-Ark Traveler blackberries have many advantages

[Video](6/7/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard and Kiki Fontenot discuss the exciting thornless blackberry variety Prime-Arc Traveler.

Get It Growing: Time to hype the hydrangea

[Video](5/24/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why now is the perfect time to hype the hydrangea.

Get It Growing: Suncredible Yellow Sunflower is newest Super Plant

[Video](5/31/21)LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard introduces you to the latest Louisiana Super Plant — the striking Suncredible Sunflower.

Get It Growing: Try fragrant plants in your landscape

[Video](4/26/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard introduces you to some beautiful and fragrant plants.

Get It Growing: Grow a container flower garden

[Video](5/3/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to make a beautiful flower garden in a container.

Get It Growing: Microgreens are easy way to grow vegetables

[Video](4/19/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard introduces you can easily grow microgreens inside your home.

Get It Growing: Remove damaged palm fronds

[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.

Choose these plants for eye-appealing, sweet-smelling landscapes

(04/09/21) Flowers are perfect for adding attractive blooms to our landscapes and gardens. They attract both humans and pollinators.

Get It Growing: Super Plant Beacon impatiens thrives in shad

[Video](4/5/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why the Beacon impatiens can dependably add many vibrant colors to your landscape.

Get It Growing: It’s showtime for azaleas

[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.

Get It Growing: How to attack weeds in your garden bed

[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.

Get It Growing: Get your garden beds ready for planting

[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.

Must-knows about mulch

Mulching is one of the most basic and essential tasks of gardening. Mulch provides many benefits.

Get It Growing: How to prune and fertilize citrus

[Video](3/8/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to properly prune and fertilize those plants.

Get It Growing: Wait to trim your freeze-damaged plants

[Video](3/1/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard cautions against being too hasty in cutting and pruning freeze-damaged plants.

Get It Growing: Now is the time to prune roses

[Video](2/23/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to properly prune rose blooms.

Get It Growing: Taiwan cherry is a landscape showstopper

[Video](2/16/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some advantages of planting this gorgeous landscape tree.

Get It Growing: Valentine’s Day alternative to cut plant arrangements

[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.

Get It Growing: To prune or not to prune?

[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.

Get It Growing: Lichens are likeable

[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.

Get It Growing: Plant a tree for Arbor Day

[Video](1/18/21) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can plant a tree in your own yard.

Get It Growing: How to treat scale on magnolia leaves

[Video](1/4/21) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to treat scale, helping your magnolias thrive.

Japanese maples provide accent to landscapes

[Video](12/28/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains where to place these beautiful plants into your landscape.

Get It Growing: Consider hybrid crape myrtles for year-round color

[Video](12/27/20) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains that one of this year’s cool weather sources of color might surprise you.

Get It Growing: Think about giving gardening gifts

[Video](12/20/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests gardening gifts to complete your list.

Get It Growing: Pampas grass is easy to grow, make great decorations

[Video](12/14/20) Ornamental grasses are easy-care plants that can provide a nice screen in your landscape.

Get It Growing: Selecting and caring for Christmas trees

[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.

Get It Growing: Lethal bronzing can kill windmill palm trees

[Video](11/30/20) AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how windmill palms are being killed by a disease called lethal bronzing.

Get It Growing: How to clean up your hydrangeas before winter

[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.

Get It Growing: How to repair hurricane-damaged trees and shrub

[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.

Get It Growing: How to harvest caladium bulbs

[Video](11/2/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to harvest and store caladium bulbs.

Get It Growing: Time for fall color

[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.

Get It Growing: How to Combat Nutsedge

[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.

Get It Growing: Greece is not the only place to grow olive trees

[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.

Get It Growing: Use pink flowers for breast cancer awareness

[Video](10/5/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests some great pink plants that can also help you make a statement.

Get It Growing: How to stop sod webworms

[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

Get It Growing: How to recognize citrus leafminer damage

[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.

Get It Growing: Bald cypress is Louisiana Super Plant

[Video](9/14/20) On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard talks about the latest Super Plant edition

Get It Growing: Golden color, easy care make candlestick plant ideal for fall

[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.

Get It Growing: Punch out Virginia Buttonweed in your lawn

[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.

Get It Growing: How to gather seeds from herbs

[Video](8/24/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how to gather seeds so you can grow more wonderful herbs.

Get It Growing: Combatting crapemyrtle bark scale

[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.

Get It Growing: Time to plan your fall landscape

[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

Get It Growing: How to treat fig leaf rust

[Video] (8/10/20) Here are some steps she recommends to minimize impacts of fig leaf rust.

Get It Growing: Water your plants, but don’t forget the food

[Video](7/27/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard points out some nutrient sources you can serve your plants.

Get It Growing: How to irrigate your plants and save water

[Video] (7/20/20) Recently, the days have been scorchers — both for us and our plants. July is smart irrigation month.

Get It Growing: How to get rid of lace bugs

[Video](7/13/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains there are some ways you can stop these destructive insects.

Get It Growing: Plant pumpkin seeds now for the fall

[Video](7/6/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains some of the simple materials you’ll need to get your pumpkins growing.

Take good care of lawns, gardens during July heat

(07/03/20) July can be a tough month in Louisiana due to heat, high humidity, and increased disease and insect pressure.

Get It Growing: How to extract vegetable seeds

[Video](6/29/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can extract seeds from your vegetables to plant your next crops.

Get It Growing: How to easily propagate plants from cuttings

[Video](7/6/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard demonstrates how to easily propagate plants from cuttings.

Get It Growing: Lilies of the Nile can add elegant color to your landscape

[Video](6/25/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why this elegant, tall-stemmed plant is a good choice for your landscape.

Get It Growing: Add pollinator plants during National Pollinators Month.

[Video](6/15/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard introduces you to some beautiful plants that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Get It Growing: Lucky Star pentas are newest Louisiana Super Plants

[Video](6/8/20) AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains other reasons why this exciting plant is now a member of the Louisiana Super Plant program

Get It Growing: How to group different texture plants to create impressive effects

[Video](5/31/20) Heather Kirk-Ballard describes how you can plant a variety of textured plants together to strengthen the aesthetic impact of your landscape.

Get It Growing: Here’s how to pollinate vegetable flowers

[Video] (5/11/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to properly pollinate your plants.

Get It Growing: Here’s how to fill holes in your lawn

[Video] (5/11/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you an economical way to fill in those unsightly holes.

Get It Growing: Use garden art to personalize your garden

[Video](5/4/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how kids, crafts and gardens can become a fun learning experience for everyone.

Get It Growing: Flamethrower coleus is latest Super Plant

[Video](4/27/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how the name comes from its distinctively colorful foliage.

Get It Growing: It’s time to fertilize your lawn

[Video] (4/20/20) LSU AgCenter Turfgrass specialist Ron Strahan explains differences in fertilizing St. Augustine and centipede grass.

Get It Growing: Use correct vegetable seeds for the season

[Video](4/13/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist KiKi Fontenot explains which vegetables are the right ones to grow during this spring season.

Get It Growing: live oaks are magnificent

[Video](3/23/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard takes a closer look at the beloved live oak tree.

Get It Growing: prune azaleas at the right time

[Video](3/16/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why it’s important, though, to wait until the right time to prune your azaleas back.

Get It Growing: orchid care is easy

[Video](3-9-20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard dispels that notion and explains how to care for these beautiful indoor tropicals.

Get It Growing: how to plant a sedum garden

[Video](3-2-30)LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how you can keep that green thumb active — inside — by growing a succulent sedum garden

As winter breaks, landscapes spring to life

(02/21/20) It’s that time of year. The deciduous trees are putting on their leaves. Spring-blooming bulbs, trees and shrubs are starting to come to life.

Get It Growing: set irrigation timers to save water

[Video](1/24/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk explains how to make sure your plants get the water they need — without overdoing it.

Get It Growing: plant potatoes in containers

[Video](1/17/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist KiKi Fontenot shows you how to grow your own potatoes in a container.

Get It Growing: indoor plants

[Video](2/10/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk talks about the value of those oftentimes forgotten, indoor plants.

Get It Growing: Japanese magnolias

[Video] (2/3/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard discusses why the Japanese magnolia is a great plant to bring beauty to your yard.

Winter doesn’t have to mean dull plants

[Video](1/27/20) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard names some that look and grow the best during winter.

Little-known loquat is easy-care fruit tree

[Video](1/20/20) AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why this cold-hardy tree with a tropical look might be a good choice for your landscape.

Some organic herbicides can damage your landscape

[Video](1-06-20), LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard visits with weed scientist Ron Strahan as they explore organic herbicides.

What to do with leaves on the ground?

[Video](12-30-19)LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains the benefits of leaves and the best way to dispose of them.

Poinsettias bring the colors of Christmas

[Video](12-2-19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard visits a local grower to find out how they keep up with the demand for seasonal poinsettias

How to make your own Christmas wreath

[Video](12-16-19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard shows you how to create beautiful Christmas decorations from evergreen tree branches.

Take steps to winterize your vegetable garden

[Video](11-23-19)LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard offers tips for winterizing your garden crops — so they can survive and flourish.

Golden rain tree adds unique fall color

[Video](11/25/19) On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explores the pink-flowered golden rain tree

’Tis the season for satsumas

[Video](11/18/19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains how this is the season for satsumas and the advantages of growing these citrus.

Mums are popular for All Saints’ Day

[Video](10/25/19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard Travels to Lacombe to find out how mums fit into All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.

Use compost to replenish your potting soil

[Video](10/27/19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Kerry Heafner shows you how to use your compost to replenish potting soil.

You can easily make your own compost

[Video](10/20/19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Kerry Hefner shows you how to get a compost pile started and how you can maintain it.

Greece is not the only place to grow olive trees

[Video] (10/13/19) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains on this edition of Get It Growing, you can grow olive trees right here in Louisiana too.

Super Plant Jolt dianthus gives long-lasting beauty

[Video] (10/6/19) Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why the latest Super Plant — Jolt dianthus — will help your garden pop with color for a long time.

Golden color, easy care make candlestick plant ideal for fall

Video (9/16/19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard explains why the candlestick plant, or cassia, is a great choice for your yard.

American beautyberry, beautiful native plant for the fall

(Video 9/9/19) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard suggests growing a beautiful plant American beautyberry.

Home

Topics

Services

Publications

News & Events

About

Our offices