State

2024 Get It Growing calendar entries sought. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

2024 Get It Growing calendar entries sought. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Photographers! Get It Growing calendar entries are being sought

If you feel your photography skills are ready to be showcased, then you are encouraged to submit your best work in the call for entries for the 2025 edition of the LSU AgCenter Get It Growing calendar.
By Heather  Kirk-Ballard  LSU AgCenter  horticulturist  In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest version of the Hardiness Zone Map. This mapping system categorizes geographic regions according to their average annual minimum winter temperatures. The map helps by assisting gardeners, horticulturists and landscaping experts in choosing plants suited to specific climates.   The USDA Hardiness Zone Map has a history dating back several decades, and it has undergone multiple revisions

By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest version of the Hardiness Zone Map. This mapping system categorizes geographic regions according to their average annual minimum winter temperatures. The map helps by assisting gardeners, horticulturists and landscaping experts in choosing plants suited to specific climates. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map has a history dating back several decades, and it has undergone multiple revisions

Climate check: The updated USDA Hardiness Zone Map

In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest version of the Hardiness Zone Map. This mapping system categorizes geographic regions according to their average annual minimum winter temperatures.
Young pine trees sport dead, brown needles and charred bark in a forest along Lonzie Doyle Road near the Westport community in Rapides Parish on Sept. 5, 2023. This forest burned in the Highway 113 Fire, which damaged about 8,000 acres. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Young pine trees sport dead, brown needles and charred bark in a forest along Lonzie Doyle Road near the Westport community in Rapides Parish on Sept. 5, 2023. This forest burned in the Highway 113 Fire, which damaged about 8,000 acres. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Drought, excessive heat cost $1.69B to La. Ag, forestry

Louisiana agriculture and forestry suffered $1.69 billion in damage due to this summer’s drought and excessive heat, according to preliminary estimates by LSU AgCenter experts.
Carolina Sapphire Christmas trees grow in the LSU AgCenter Lee Memorial Forest near Bogalusa. (Photo by Joe Nehlig/LSU AgCenter)

Carolina Sapphire Christmas trees grow in the LSU AgCenter Lee Memorial Forest near Bogalusa. (Photo by Joe Nehlig/LSU AgCenter)

Yes, Louisiana, there will be Christmas trees

Consumers have been concerned about the availability of Christmas trees this year, but LSU AgCenter professionals say you should have no fear.
Root shaving or pruning can be done with hand saws and hand pruners prior to planting. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Root shaving or pruning can be done with hand saws and hand pruners prior to planting. (Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter)

Root techniques for tree success

Land-grant universities, including Louisiana State University, are committed to advancing agriculture in America through research and innovative growing and farming methods. Another part of our mission is disseminating research information to the public.
U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, at a town hall meeting in Opelousas in February. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, at a town hall meeting in Opelousas in February. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

How U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson helped derail a fight against election lies

Back in July, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. A federal court had recently granted a temporary injunction, in Missouri v.

LSU professor offers holiday shopping insights

To many, the holidays mean holiday shopping, but are the issues shoppers faced during the pandemic, like lack of supply and shipping delays, a part of Christmas past? Will inflated prices impact the seller, the customer or both? Will shoppers be spending more or less this year?
“The mayor who’s trying to raise money for the city is in charge  of prosecuting these minor  criminal offenses and getting fines brought back to the city.” — Joel Friedman, an emeritus professor at Tulane University in New Orleans. (Submitted photo)

“The mayor who’s trying to raise money for the city is in charge of prosecuting these minor criminal offenses and getting fines brought back to the city.” — Joel Friedman, an emeritus professor at Tulane University in New Orleans. (Submitted photo)

Louisiana town runs largely on traffic fines, and the mayor is your judge

The village of Fenton, outside the oil and gas town of Lake Charles, covers only about 20 blocks. There’s City Hall. The library. One gas station. A small public housing complex. A Dollar General. A grain elevator. A Baptist church.
Satsumas ripen late summer through early winter depending on the cultivar. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Satsumas ripen late summer through early winter depending on the cultivar. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Citrus tree yield off due to Christmas freeze

It’s satsuma time in Louisiana. Some plants began ripening in late September while other varieties will continue to mature through late November on into early December. As one of the best cold-hardy citrus types we can grow in the South, satsumas are a great option for home growers in Louisiana.