Agriculture

Use bypass pruners to remove up to one-third of the height of a rose bush in late August and early September.

Use bypass pruners to remove up to one-third of the height of a rose bush in late August and early September.

Prune roses soon to reinvigorate plants and promote fall blooms

(not verified)
Friday, September 6, 2024
As we enter the waning days of summer, many of our plants are just plain tired after enduring months of heat — and they’re showing it. Roses are no exception. They tend to get a bit leggy and overgrown this time of year, and you’ve probably noticed their blooms are smaller and less colorful.
Lettuce can be planted in September and October throughout Louisiana and into November in southern parishes. Lettuce doesn’t need as much sunlight as other fall vegetables, making it a good option for those with shadier gardens. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Lettuce can be planted in September and October throughout Louisiana and into November in southern parishes. Lettuce doesn’t need as much sunlight as other fall vegetables, making it a good option for those with shadier gardens. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Time to get ready for fall vegetable gardening

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 30, 2024
It’s time to get ready for fall vegetable gardening. We know, we know: It’s still hot outside. Falling leaves and crisp autumn air feel an eternity away. But for some of our favorite cool-season veggies, there are narrow windows for planting and growing.
LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Will Afton stands with some different types of containers that can be used for gardening. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Will Afton stands with some different types of containers that can be used for gardening. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Containers: An easy solution to many gardening conundrums

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 23, 2024
Expansive, in-ground flowerbeds and vegetable gardens aren’t for everyone. Maybe you want to grow just a few plants — either because of limited space or a desire for a minimal gardening commitment.
LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Will Afton stands with samples of four warm-season turfgrasses commonly used in Louisiana. From left to right are St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass and bermudagrass. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Will Afton stands with samples of four warm-season turfgrasses commonly used in Louisiana. From left to right are St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass and bermudagrass. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Seven steps to sod success: A DIY guide to a new lawn

(not verified)
Friday, August 16, 2024
So you’re tired of looking at your patchy, stressed lawn. It never quite recovered from last year’s extreme heat and drought, and you’re green with envy of your neighbor’s verdant grass. If you’re tempted to rip up your entire yard and start over with fresh sod, you’re not alone.

Buzz off! Deet-free DIY mosquito repellent

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 9, 2024
Deet free DIY mosquito repellent is a safer way to make summer outdoors more fun. There are several essential oils that work well in a spray for skin. Put 50 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a glass spray bottle along with 2 ounces of water and 1 ounce of vodka, shake well and spray on skin.
Turk’s cap is native to North America and comes in colors of red and light pink. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Turk’s cap is native to North America and comes in colors of red and light pink. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Live each day like the hibiscus

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 9, 2024
With several hundred types of hibiscus, one could write a book on this plant alone — and many have done so. The name hibiscus gets its origins from the ancient Greek word “hibiskos,” which means marsh mallow or white mallow.
Todd Fontenot, LSU AgCenter Crawfish Agent, talked to the Crowley Lions Club recently, explaining the problems crawfish farmers across the state experienced in the wake of last summers drought. Fontenot was introduced by Program Chair Patti Lawrence. (Photo by Steve Bandy/Crowley Post-Signal)

Todd Fontenot, LSU AgCenter Crawfish Agent, talked to the Crowley Lions Club recently, explaining the problems crawfish farmers across the state experienced in the wake of last summers drought. Fontenot was introduced by Program Chair Patti Lawrence. (Photo by Steve Bandy/Crowley Post-Signal)

Drought severely impacted crawfish

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
The Louisiana crawfish industry has grown and changed drastically in the past 20 years, but this past year producers experienced “unprecedented conditions.
Turfgrass and tropical plants thrive in the summertime. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Turfgrass and tropical plants thrive in the summertime. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Summer steps to a stunning fall garden

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 26, 2024
Summer is the best time to just sit back and enjoy your garden. While you’re at it, you can start thinking about fall gardening and planning bigger landscaping projects.

Biodiversity made simple

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 26, 2024
Biodiversity is simply creating healthy ecosystems that provide natural filtering and cleaning of water and air and maintaining healthy soil. It is important that these natural processes run smoothly because they support a variety of lifecycles and provide us with food and water.
Irrigation can be controlled by smart technologies, which include weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC) and soil moisture sensor (SMS) systems. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Irrigation can be controlled by smart technologies, which include weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC) and soil moisture sensor (SMS) systems. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Innovations in irrigation: The smart approach to water conservation

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, July 19, 2024
Every July, Smart Irrigation Month celebrates the benefits of efficient irrigation products, highlighting their positive economic and environmental impacts. One major component of gardening is providing sufficient water for plants.