Agriculture

Dr. Anna Paltseva examines soil samples in UL Lafayette’s Delta Urban Soils Laboratory. Paltseva, an assistant professor of environmental science, is the lab’s director. (Photo by Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

Dr. Anna Paltseva examines soil samples in UL Lafayette’s Delta Urban Soils Laboratory. Paltseva, an assistant professor of environmental science, is the lab’s director. (Photo by Doug Dugas / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

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What’s in your soil? New UL Lafayette lab goes below the surface to find out

Harlan Kirgan
Saturday, October 30, 2021
A new service at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is dishing the dirt on soil health. The Delta Urban Soils Laboratory can help small production farmers, gardeners, landscape designers and architects, homeowners and environmental firms better understand what’s in their soil.
Strawberries are typically grown on plastic or with a thick layer of pine straw to protect plants from strawberries sitting on the soil and rotting. (Photos by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

Strawberries are typically grown on plastic or with a thick layer of pine straw to protect plants from strawberries sitting on the soil and rotting. (Photos by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

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Strawberries are sensational

Heather Kirk-Ballard, LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Saturday, October 30, 2021
It’s strawberry planting time! Louisiana has a long history of strawberries dating back to the 1800s, and business really began to boom in the early 1900s. According to the LSU AgCenter’s latest data, the Louisiana strawberry industry has a gross farm value of $8.4 million.

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Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction accepting nominations

Craig Gautreaux / cgautreaux@agcenter.lsu.edu
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is now accepting nominations for its annual induction ceremony, which will be held March 24, 2022, in Baton Rouge. The nomination form can be obtained online at www.louisianaagriculturehallofdistinction.com or through any parish LSU AgCenter office.
LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh displays a dead boxwood that has been affected by boxwood dieback. (Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh displays a dead boxwood that has been affected by boxwood dieback. (Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter)

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AgCenter takes boxwood disease training to Louisiana’s Nursery Capital

V. Todd Miller / vtmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Cutlines: The first thing one notices when exiting Interstate 49 to Forest Hill in Rapides Parish is mile upon mile of plant nurseries — the largest concentration in the state, according to one attendee of a boxwood dieback disease identification and management training presentation on Oct. 19.
Abundant nectar produced by goldenrod attracts pollinators such as bees. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Abundant nectar produced by goldenrod attracts pollinators such as bees. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Don’t blame the goldenrod — it’s the ragweed!

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, October 22, 2021
If you are like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies — sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes and cough, all due to pollen from local, native plants that bloom in autumn. Among many culprits, two of the most common are goldenrod and ragweed.
Gourds can be used to make decorative ornaments, utensils and even birdhouses. (Photo by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

Gourds can be used to make decorative ornaments, utensils and even birdhouses. (Photo by Kiki Fontenot/LSU AgCenter)

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Spice up your home, garden with fall favorites

Heather Kirk-Ballard, LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Saturday, October 16, 2021
The novelist Samuel Butler once said, “Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers, we more than gain in fruit.” Fortunately for the Gulf South, this isn’t exactly true, as many flowers are still in bloom.

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Unwanted pesticide collection set in Crowley

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Agricultural producers, pesticide applicators and homeowners can drop off unwanted pesticides during the Unwanted Pesticide Pick-Up day from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Nov. 2 at Simplot Grower Solutions, 1110 West Mill St. in Crowley.
Pollen-producing sunflowers are perfect for home gardeners who are planting to support pollinators.

Pollen-producing sunflowers are perfect for home gardeners who are planting to support pollinators.

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Sunflowers always face the sun

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, October 8, 2021
Perhaps one of the most brilliant and uplifting of flowers is the sunflower. Native to North America and made popular throughout Europe, this plant has a long history. Helen Keller once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.
Caption: A boxwood exhibiting random dieback of twigs caused by boxwood dieback disease. (Photo provided by Raj Singh)

Caption: A boxwood exhibiting random dieback of twigs caused by boxwood dieback disease. (Photo provided by Raj Singh)

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LSU AgCenter to host boxwood dieback disease identification, management training

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 1, 2021
Boxwood dieback disease caused by a fungal plant pathogen is spreading at an alarming rate in the United States. LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh identified it in Louisiana and first reported in the United States in 2015.
Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo has been named a fall 2021 Louisiana Super Plant selection. (Photo by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter )

Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo has been named a fall 2021 Louisiana Super Plant selection. (Photo by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter )

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Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo: A super selection for cool-season color

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, October 1, 2021
Just like the name suggests, Supertunias are epic and bold. This petunia series is an award winner and bestseller in garden centers across the U.S. This fall, the LSU AgCenter is adding Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo to the cool-season bedding plants on the Louisiana Super Plant list.