Agriculture

Grow your own cut flowers and take a stab at floral arrangement at home. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Grow your own cut flowers and take a stab at floral arrangement at home. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Celebrating love and floral beauty in February

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, February 9, 2024
As February unfolds, hearts beat a little faster in anticipation of two significant events: Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 and National Floral Design Day on Feb. 28. These occasions not only mark the celebration of love but also honor the artistry and beauty of flowers.
Gardening trends include planting to save the planet. Gardeners can plant fast-growing native trees, native grasses and herbaceous perennials. (Photo by Anna Ribbeck/LSU AgCenter)

Gardening trends include planting to save the planet. Gardeners can plant fast-growing native trees, native grasses and herbaceous perennials. (Photo by Anna Ribbeck/LSU AgCenter)

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Native plants, moon gardens and cyber lime are gardening trends to watch in 2024

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, February 2, 2024
Every year, a series of gardening surveys is conducted to determine evolving trends in home gardening, consumer interests, perspectives and the types of information they value.
Sensitive plants such as tropical plants will suffer from freezing temperatures. Wait to prune until the spring when all danger of freezing has passed.

Sensitive plants such as tropical plants will suffer from freezing temperatures. Wait to prune until the spring when all danger of freezing has passed.

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What to do in the garden after a freeze

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, January 26, 2024
Put down the pruning shears. With freezing temperatures across Louisiana and a dose of ice, sleet and even snow in some places, all of our gardens probably have suffered some damage.
Frozen blooms of Japanese magnolias will become mushy when ice thaws. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Frozen blooms of Japanese magnolias will become mushy when ice thaws. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

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Proactive steps to protect your plants

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 19, 2024
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist When winter weather forecasts call for freezing temperatures, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard both your home and plants from the impending cold snap.

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Train to be a farmer

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 19, 2024
BATON ROUGE — The LSU AgCenter will begin a free, yearlong training program for beginning farmers in Louisiana in February.
LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto speaks during the Louisiana Agricultural Outlook Forum Jan. 10 at the State Evacuation Shelter near Alexandria. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto speaks during the Louisiana Agricultural Outlook Forum Jan. 10 at the State Evacuation Shelter near Alexandria. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

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Farmers should get some relief on input costs in 2024 challenges likely to remain

Olivia McClure / omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, January 19, 2024
After a year of economic challenges amplified by unfavorable weather, Louisiana farmers recently got some good news from LSU AgCenter experts. The costs of inputs like fertilizer and fuel, while still high, are trending downward.
Ronnie Levy. (LSU AgCenter photo)

Ronnie Levy. (LSU AgCenter photo)

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Louisiana’s rice specialist receives national rice award

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Ronnie Levy knows rice. For four decades and in various roles with the LSU AgCenter, Levy has helped Louisiana farmers grow many of the state’s economically important crops, but much of the focus has been on what is the backbone of so many Louisiana dishes — rice.
LSU AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso working in a greenhouse at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. Famoso was recently named director of the station. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

LSU AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso working in a greenhouse at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. Famoso was recently named director of the station. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

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Famoso named director of LSU AgCenter rice research station

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 12, 2024
By Olivia McClure omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu CROWLEY — The LSU AgCenter has named Adam Famoso resident director and research coordinator of its H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley.
Icy blooms. (LSU AgCenter photo)

Icy blooms. (LSU AgCenter photo)

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Prepare now for the coming cold snap

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, January 12, 2024
Winter is about to make its presence known, and with it comes many questions about protecting landscape plants, pipes and pets when the temperature drops. LSU AgCenter professionals say everyone should pay attention to the forecasts to know ahead of time when freezing weather is approaching.
The Red-N-Sweet watermelon has dark red, sweet flesh. It was the last watermelon released from the Calhoun Research Station. Photo by Kerry D. Heafner

The Red-N-Sweet watermelon has dark red, sweet flesh. It was the last watermelon released from the Calhoun Research Station. Photo by Kerry D. Heafner

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LSU watermelon nominated for Slow Food Ark of Taste

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, January 12, 2024
A watermelon cultivar developed at the now closed LSU AgCenter Calhoun Research Station has been nominated for boarding onto the Slow Food Ark of Taste. The Red-N-Sweet is a 1987 LSU release.