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Keep wildlife and ecosystem services in mind when selecting plants. (Photo provided by Norman Winter)

Keep wildlife and ecosystem services in mind when selecting plants. (Photo provided by Norman Winter)

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Cool season planting guide

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, December 8, 2023
December — and winter in general — in Louisiana is a fine time to plant in the landscape. Now is the time to add trees, shrubs and cool-season annual and perennial bedding plants. The key is to know what to plant, where to plant and what the intended use of the space is.
New LSU President William Tate addresses the media on his first day on the job. (JC Canicosa/Louisiana Illuminator)

New LSU President William Tate addresses the media on his first day on the job. (JC Canicosa/Louisiana Illuminator)

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Tax policy, not tenure, will be LSU’s top legislative concern, Tate says

Piper Hutchinson / Louisiana Illuminator
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
LSU President William Tate listed tax policy as his primary concern going into the first year of Gov.-elect Jeff Landry’s tenure with a new legislature being seated. He shared his thoughts Wednesday (Nov. 29) in an address to the school’s Faculty Senate.
2024 Get It Growing calendar entries sought. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

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

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Photographers! Get It Growing calendar entries are being sought

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, December 1, 2023
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

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Climate check: The updated USDA Hardiness Zone Map

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, December 1, 2023
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)

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

Olivia McClure / omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, December 1, 2023
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)

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Yes, Louisiana, there will be Christmas trees

Johnny Morgan / jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
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)

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Root techniques for tree success

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
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)

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

Zachary Roth / States Newsroom
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
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.