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
Friday, January 31, 2025
Agriculture
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
From The LSU AgCenter
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.
Friday, January 31, 2025
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
V. Todd Miller / vtmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu
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.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Discover the power of bare root planting
From the Eunice Bulb & Blossom Garden Club
Bare root plants offer a compelling alternative garden plant source. Bare root perennials and shrubs come from established plants that are dug up after they have entered their period of dormancy, stored without soil and shipped when the plant is ready to be planted in the ground.
Friday, January 24, 2025
When planting a tree, dig the hole twice as wide as the diameter of the container and only as deep as the height of the container.
Arbor Day is upon us. Plant a tree and make a difference.
From The LSU AgCenter
If you’ve ever looked up the date for Arbor Day, you may have run into some conflicting information. Nationally, this holiday celebrating the importance of trees is observed on the last Friday of April. But in Louisiana, we have our own Arbor Day: the third Friday of January, which this year is Jan.
Friday, January 24, 2025
Many tropical plants, such as these ornamental bananas, are root hardy. While they won’t look nice after a freeze, they’ll begin growing back in the spring. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter
Be patient when it comes to dealing with freeze-damaged plants
Olivia McClure / omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
The snow has come and gone — and so has the excitement that came with such a meteorological rarity in Louisiana. Now, some gardeners are looking outside at a far less enjoyable sight: plants that turned gray, brown and perhaps even mushy in this week’s frigid temperatures.
Friday, January 24, 2025
The flowers of many camellia japonica cultivars feature stripes, which are caused by genetic variations. (Photos by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)
Long lived and easy to care for, camellia japonicas offer rare winter color in shade
Harlan Kirgan
From the LSU AgCenter
Trying to find plants that bloom profusely in the shade during the dreary wintertime can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Your options are few and far between: Most flowers need lots of sunlight, and many plants simply do not bloom in the colder months.
Friday, January 17, 2025
Rice acres are expected to stay about the same in 2025. (LSU AgCenter file photo)
Depressed commodity prices likely to keep farm margins tight
Olivia McClure / omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
As farmers begin making plans for the upcoming growing season, many are bracing for the likelihood of another year marked by tight margins.
“Production costs for 2025 are estimated to decrease for the second consecutive year, which is good news,” said LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Pawpaw fruit is large, with a unique flavor that reminds some of mango and banana. (LSU AgCenter file photo)
Pawpaws: An uncommon yet valuable addition to the Louisiana landscape
From The LSU AgCenter
Increasing the use of native plants, growing your own food and supporting butterflies are all admirable goals. You can accomplish all three by planting pawpaw trees.
Friday, January 10, 2025
Snake plant, syngonium ivy and pothos ivy are commonly grown as houseplants. (Photos by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)
Help! I kill every indoor plant I touch
From The LSU AgCenter
Do you have a black thumb?
What’s that — you’ve never heard of a black thumb? It’s the opposite of having a green thumb.
Perhaps you can relate to this scenario: You buy a plant that is promoted as low maintenance or beginner friendly — something like pothos ivy or snake plant.
Friday, January 3, 2025