State

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

Harlan Kirgan
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)

Root techniques for tree success

Harlan Kirgan
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)

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

(not verified)
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.

LSU professor offers holiday shopping insights

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
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

(not verified)
Friday, November 17, 2023
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

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, November 17, 2023
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.
Juvenile whooping cranes released at White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area. (Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries photo)

Juvenile whooping cranes released at White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area. (Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries photo)

LDWF’s whooping crane program adds 4 more birds

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
With assistance from the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LWFF), Audubon Nature Institute and the Dallas Zoo, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) added four new whooping cranes to its experimental population Sunday (Nov.
Trees will lose some branches in order to preserve the entire tree.

Trees will lose some branches in order to preserve the entire tree.

Assessing tree damage after an extended drought

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, November 10, 2023
Excessive drought conditions in Louisiana are quickly becoming a natural disaster that will have effects on gardens, landscape plants and natural areas all across the state for some time. We may not understand the full extent of the damage for years. The U.S.
Longtime St. Martin Parish newsman Henri Bienvenu died on Nov. 2. An obituary is on Page 5. (Submitted photo)

Longtime St. Martin Parish newsman Henri Bienvenu died on Nov. 2. An obituary is on Page 5. (Submitted photo)

Beloved newspaperman Henri Clay Bienvenu dies at 82

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Henri Clay Bienvenu was born in 1941, but his story really begins over half a century earlier, around 1886, with a 12-year-old kid tacking obituary notices to telegraph poles in St.
Dianthus is an excellent cool-season bedding plant. Look for Amazon and Jolt dianthus, both Louisiana Super Plants. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Dianthus is an excellent cool-season bedding plant. Look for Amazon and Jolt dianthus, both Louisiana Super Plants. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Fall gardening in Louisiana

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, November 3, 2023
Temperatures are becoming cooler as we progress into the fall season, and this provides much-needed respite from the heat for us and our plants. Fall is a great time to get out into the garden. If you haven’t already, there’s still time to get cool-season vegetables planted in Louisiana.