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Spring is just around the corner. And now is the time to plan for a beautiful yard and productive garden. Whether you’re a veteran gardener or one who’s never dug in the dirt before, the LSU AgCenter has information to help you grow flowers, vegetables, fruits and improve the looks of your lawn and home landscaping. We offer this information in a variety of ways – in publications (online and hard copy) and through newspaper, radio and television services – and at spring garden shows.
Here is a list of spring garden shows sponsored by the LSU AgCenter:
The 2008 Hammond Spring Garden Day will be March 8, at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station at 21549 Old Covington Hwy. (Hwy. 1067 just off Hwy. 190) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show will include recommendations on gardening and related topics and feature garden products and services available in the area, according to Annie Coco, county agent in Tangipahoa Parish. Topics include organic gardening, native plants for drought and deluge, attracting birds and butterflies to the garden, “garden sun dial” and proper pruning. A kids' tent will allow children to plant a small plant to take home, make a pine cone bird feeder, play a fishing game and participate in other activities. Admission to the event is $5 per vehicle.
The Northshore Spring Garden Show will be March 15-16 in the Bobby Fletcher Agriculture Center at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington. This annual event is sponsored by the St. Tammany Parish Master Gardeners and will include a plant sale with more than 30 vendors. This show features plant and garden supplies for sale, a plant health clinic and a children's booth. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill will present an educational session on soils at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and Guy Guidry, a local bonsai expert, will offer tried-and-true advice on beginning with bonsai at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The show will be from 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. each day. Admission is $3 per person, and children 12 and under can enter free. Read more about the show.
The sixth annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show will be March 29-30 in Parker Coliseum on Highland Road from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. David Himelrick, LSU AgCenter professor of horticulture, said the floor of the coliseum will be “transformed into a fascinating world of plants and gardens.” Each year the show includes numerous vendors selling a variety of plants and garden-related merchandise ranging from artwork and furniture to irrigation and unusual planters. Local nurseries and other vendors will offer for sale plants and other garden wares, including tools, pots, ornaments, and landscaping materials. Read more details about the show.
The ninth annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival in Lake Charles will be March 29-30 at Burton Coliseum at 7001 Gulf Highway.The event will include a plant health clinic with LSU AgCenter experts and Master Gardeners to answer gardening questions and garden talks by several speakers from the LSU AgCenter. Festival hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is only $2, and it’s free for ages 12 and younger. Proceeds will benefit the Calcasieu Parish 4-H program. Read more about the festival.
The 2008 Spring Garden Show in New Orleans will be at the City Park Botanical Garden April 5-6. An added attraction to this year’s show will be a guest appearance from the New Orleans Hornet’s cheerleaders – The HoneyBees and their mascot Hugo. “As you browse through the garden, there will be various vendors with plants and garden products for sale,” said Karen Blackburn. “We also will have educational speakers covering a wide variety of gardening topics. And this year, we will again have 4-H members helping in the kid’s discovery area.” The show will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
The Spring Garden Tour in St. Francisville is April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gardens on the tour include Ouida Plantation Gardens, Wyoming Plantation Gardens, The Myrtles Plantation Garden and Hillcroft House Gardens. Tickets are $10. For more information call (985) 687-7258 or (225) 635-3614.
The 2008 Bonne Terre Garden Fair will be May 3, at Southdown Plantation, 1208 Museum Drive in Houma. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m., and the show will last until 4 p.m., said Bobby Fletcher, the LSU AgCenter’s area horticulture agent. Read more about the show.
Get It Growing Campaign
We also offer this educational information through our Get It Growing campaign. This involves a weekly 60-second television spot, daily (Monday through Friday) 60-second radio spots and weekly newspaper columns.
The following television stations use the Get It Growing spots regularly. Check with the stations for any schedule updates or ask you station to carry these spots, if they don't already:
- Alexandria – KALB-TV – Wednesday during the noon to 12:30 p.m. news program
- Baton Rouge – WAFB-TV – Saturday as part of morning show (about 8:30 a.m.)
- Lake Charles – KPLC-TV – Thursday or Friday on the morning show
- Monroe – KNOE-TV – once a week (day varies) during “Good Morning, Ark-La-Miss,” which runs from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- Morgan City – KWBJ-TV – every Monday at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Opelousas – KDCG –TV – Friday, 6:30 p.m. “Acadiana Today” (re-airs Saturday at 10 a.m.)
We also video-stream these spots on our Web site. So, if you miss them on television, you can go to Get It Growing and watch the spots on your computer.
The radio spots are equally as informative. They can be heard on radio stations across the state and on the Louisiana Network.
The newspaper columns provide more in-depth information on topics such as planning for colorful summer gardens, using ground covers and adding irises to your landscape. Thirty-four Louisiana newspapers use them weekly. If you’d like your local paper to carry them, give the editor a call. The columns are sent free as an e-mail service to anyone who wants them. If you collect all of the columns, you’ll have a comprehensive guide to gardening in Louisiana.
The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.
(This AgCenter Lead was updated on February 20, 2008, by Linda Benedict.)