Agriculture

Eliminate the need to repot houseplants in bigger containers

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, March 7, 2025
Root pruning, trimming the roots of a plant, is not as common as repotting a plant, but it can be an excellent alternative. When a plant is getting too large for its container, or, if you simply want to keep a plant at a certain size, root pruning will do the trick.
LSU AgCenter fruit and nut specialist Michael Polozola demonstrates pruning a young peach tree to encourage a form that is more conducive to fruit production. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter fruit and nut specialist Michael Polozola demonstrates pruning a young peach tree to encourage a form that is more conducive to fruit production. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Pruning boosts health and productivity of fruit and nut trees

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, March 7, 2025
Late winter is an ideal time for pruning many trees, and fruit trees are no exception. Regularly trimming away damaged and unsightly branches is key to maintaining a healthy tree with an aesthetically pleasing shape.
Trees and shrubs form the foundation of a landscape. Carefully choosing and placing these plants will help you build a landscape that suits your tastes and needs. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Trees and shrubs form the foundation of a landscape. Carefully choosing and placing these plants will help you build a landscape that suits your tastes and needs. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Tips to create a low-maintenance landscape

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 28, 2025
As easy as 1-2-3? There’s no such thing as a low-maintenance landscape in Louisiana, but these steps can lighten the burden. Picture this: a lush landscape brimming with plants that stay attractive year-round without you, the gardener, having to lift a finger.

Determining when succulents should be repotted

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 21, 2025
From the Bulb and Blossom Garden Club Succulents should be repotted every 12 to 18 months to keep the soil healthy. Often when a succulent has been in the same soil for a long time, nutrients in the soil have become depleted.
Use sharp loppers to prune branches. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Use sharp loppers to prune branches. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

It’s time to prune and fertilize trees and shrubs

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 21, 2025
Before plants leaf out for the spring, it’s a good idea to take some time for maintenance tasks in the garden. Here are two important items to put on your to-do list: pruning and fertilizing your trees and shrubs. Let’s talk about pruning first.
Michael Polozola, LSU AgCenter fruit and nut specialist, stands with his large collection of pecans. He is holding a jar containing nuts from an Elliot pecan tree. Elliot is one of the most popular varieties grown in Louisiana and one Polozola recommends for its disease-resistant qualities.

Michael Polozola, LSU AgCenter fruit and nut specialist, stands with his large collection of pecans. He is holding a jar containing nuts from an Elliot pecan tree. Elliot is one of the most popular varieties grown in Louisiana and one Polozola recommends for its disease-resistant qualities.

From tree to table: A guide to growing pecans in La.

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 14, 2025
From the LSU AgCenter There’s nothing quite like pecans. With their rich, buttery flavor, these nuts are a staple of Louisiana culture and cuisine. If you’d like to produce your own pecans, November through March is an ideal time to plant these trees.
Seed packets list important information such as planting depth and how many days it will take until germination. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Seed packets list important information such as planting depth and how many days it will take until germination. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

To enjoy flowers, veggies and herbs this spring, start your seeds now

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, February 7, 2025
Tired of the cold, gray doldrums of winter? Here’s something to look forward to: Spring isn’t all that far away, and now is the time to get your seeds started for many warm-season annuals, vegetables and herbs.
Garden shows will be held around the state during the next few months to prepare gardeners for the spring. (LSU AgCenter File Photo.)

Garden shows will be held around the state during the next few months to prepare gardeners for the spring. (LSU AgCenter File Photo.)

AgCenter announces spring garden show schedule

(not verified)
Friday, January 31, 2025
By Anthony Bailey anthonybailey@agcenter.lsu.edu BATON ROUGE — As spring approaches in Louisiana, local gardeners are starting to prepare to plant their gardens. To get ready for the season, the AgCenter has announced garden shows happening throughout Louisiana, starting in February.
LSU AgCenter fruit and nut specialist Michael Polozola prepares to take a cutting from a fig tree. (Photos by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter fruit and nut specialist Michael Polozola prepares to take a cutting from a fig tree. (Photos by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

With easy propagation process, figs can be passed down like family heirlooms

(not verified)
Friday, January 31, 2025
Figs are one of the most common fruit trees you’ll find growing in Louisiana backyards. And for many of these fig trees, there’s a name and face and a personal backstory behind them. That’s because figs are a popular passalong plant.
LSU AgCenter crawfish agent Todd Fontenot said that despite the historic freezing conditions and snowfall in many crawfish-producing parishes, producers and consumers can expect a quick rebound. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

LSU AgCenter crawfish agent Todd Fontenot said that despite the historic freezing conditions and snowfall in many crawfish-producing parishes, producers and consumers can expect a quick rebound. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Crawfish weathered freeze

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
As south Louisiana begins to thaw out after the historic arctic blast and double-digit inches of snowfall in many crawfish-producing parishes, many are wondering if there will be a repeat of 2024 that saw small harvests and high prices due to the previous year’s drought.