Agriculture

Thrips are tiny insects that can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. This rose has been damaged by thrips. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Thrips are tiny insects that can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. This rose has been damaged by thrips. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Gardeners know dealing with pests is part of the job

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, April 21, 2023
If you’re a gardener, you know that dealing with pests is an inevitable part of the job. Two common pests seen on garden plants are thrips and spider mites.
Victoria Callahan, left, sales representative for Parish Rice, was guest speaker for the recent meeting, explaining the health benefits of the Eunice-based product. Welcoming her to the meeting is Nancy Loewer, program chair. (Photo by Steve Bandy/Crowley Post-Signal)

Victoria Callahan, left, sales representative for Parish Rice, was guest speaker for the recent meeting, explaining the health benefits of the Eunice-based product. Welcoming her to the meeting is Nancy Loewer, program chair. (Photo by Steve Bandy/Crowley Post-Signal)

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Crowley Lions learn health benefits of Eunice rice brand

Steve Bandy / Crowley Post-Signal
Friday, April 21, 2023
“This is a game-changer for diabetics. It’ll put rice back in their diets,” Victoria Callahan, sales representative for Eunice-based Parish Rice, told members of the Crowley Lions Club earlier this week. Callahan said the low glycemic index for Parish Rice makes it ideal for diabetics.

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Easy do it yourself newspaper seedling pots

From the Eunice Bulb and Blossom Garden Club
Friday, April 14, 2023
Making your own seedling pots is easy and allows you to recycle your old newspapers and make the pots at no cost to you. Seeds don’t need soil to sprout because they receive all needed nutrients from the seed.
The white powdery substance contains the spores that infect next year’s plants if left on the ground. Be sure to rake up and remove all infected leaves and dispose of them in trash bags in the trash. (Photo by Hampton Grunewald/LSU AgCenter)

The white powdery substance contains the spores that infect next year’s plants if left on the ground. Be sure to rake up and remove all infected leaves and dispose of them in trash bags in the trash. (Photo by Hampton Grunewald/LSU AgCenter)

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What’s growing on my shrub?

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, April 14, 2023
Noticed some type of alien growth on your azaleas this spring? I’ve recently gotten phone calls for strange growths on azalea shrubs that were described by the caller as what looked like “cauliflower ear” — enlarged and puffy.
Rhonda Poche, of the Landry-Poche Farm near Holden, shows off some of her strawberries as she prepares for a school field trip to the farm. (Photo by Johnny Morgan/LSU AgCenter)

Rhonda Poche, of the Landry-Poche Farm near Holden, shows off some of her strawberries as she prepares for a school field trip to the farm. (Photo by Johnny Morgan/LSU AgCenter)

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Despite some disease pressure, strawberries are looking good

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The strawberry crop is coming in at full blast right now, with some growers calling it one of their best crops. “We have been having perfect strawberry weather,” said Rhonda Poche, co-owner of Landry-Poche Farm near Holden.
Perennials are low maintenance and cost effective because they come back year after year.

Perennials are low maintenance and cost effective because they come back year after year.

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Annuals, perennials have special roles in your landscape

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Spring is here, and it’s time to get into the garden. Annuals, perennials, vines, groundcovers, shrubs, trees, fruits and veggies — oh my! With so many plants to choose from, where do we start?
Fertilize responsibly by conducting soil tests to help determine the need for fertilizer. You can send samples to the LSU AgCenter for testing.

Fertilize responsibly by conducting soil tests to help determine the need for fertilizer. You can send samples to the LSU AgCenter for testing.

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Plants can thrive when we fertilize

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, March 31, 2023
As plants put on new growth this spring, they can benefit from essential nutrients that help them become healthy and strong.
Start with the most tedious tasks first and start early to keep motivation up. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Start with the most tedious tasks first and start early to keep motivation up. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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The trick is you don’t have to finish, just get started

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, March 24, 2023
The trees need to be pruned, the lawn needs to be cut, weeds need to be pulled and new mulch needs to be put out. The blueberries need to be picked, the aphids have ambushed the aster and you need to side dress the vegetables. So your garden is a mess, and you just don’t know where to start.
Brightly colored flowers are a gorgeous sight in the landscape. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Brightly colored flowers are a gorgeous sight in the landscape. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Gardening for the senses

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, March 10, 2023
As we prepare for the spring and updates to the garden, there are many great plant options to choose from. Why not enhance your garden by planting for all five of the senses?
Peggy Martin roses at Peggy Martin’s house. Photo provided by Pierre Bouchee and Jan Pesses, of the St. Tammany Parish Master Gardeners Association

Peggy Martin roses at Peggy Martin’s house. Photo provided by Pierre Bouchee and Jan Pesses, of the St. Tammany Parish Master Gardeners Association

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Peggy Martin rose named spring 2023 Louisiana Super Plant

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, March 3, 2023
The LSU AgCenter is proud to announce its first Louisiana Super Plant selection for 2023, and it is none other than the Peggy Martin rose. Also known as the Katrina rose, most Louisiana residents know this rambling rose.