Home > Communications > News > LSU AgCenter Communications produces news releases for print, radio and television media and a special gardening service called Get It Growing, which also includes news releases for print, radio and television. Gardens, produce, food featured at Garden Fest [Image: charlie johnson and leo sanders] (Distributed 06/18/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 1,000 people braved the heat and humidity of a Louisiana June day to attend the Garden Fest at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on June 15. La. farmers plant record-low cotton acreage Distributed 06/18/13) WINNSBORO, La. – Louisiana has the lowest cotton acreage in recorded history, with the state’s farmers planting an estimated 125,000 acres this year, according to LSU AgCenter cotton specialist and entomologist David Kerns. Rice plants short for their age this year [Image: Eric Webster] (Distributed 06/17/13) CROWLEY, La. – The short height of this year’s rice crop doesn’t mean it is necessarily late in development. Johnny Saichuk, LSU AgCenter rice specialist, said many rice fields are already at the green ring stage, even though they don’t look tall enough to be that developed. LaHouse open house to showcase storm-hardy home features (Distributed 06/17/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – With the 2013 hurricane season officially underway, the LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center will showcase hurricane and flood-hardy features for both new and existing homes on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  more articles... Many palms can grow in Louisiana [Image: jelly palm] (Distributed 06/13/13) HAMMOND, La. – The use of palms in home landscapes has gained considerable interest in the last few years. Several reasons have brought about this resurgence. For one, many new, exotic palm species and varieties are more readily available; however, our cold temperatures the past couple of winters have damaged some of the species, and people are searching for the most reliable palms for landscape use. Growth study looks at nitrogen loss in corn (Distributed 06/13/13) WINNSBORO, La. – One of the latest research projects funded by the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board will look at the effect of nitrogen loss on corn growth. Addressing disease in amaryllis plants [Image: Amaryllis] (Video 06/24/13) Amaryllis is a tropical-looking plant that has recently finished blooming across the state. On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill offers advice for detecting disease in amaryllis and steps to improve the overall health of the plant. (Runtime: 1:47) Copperleaf surprises with unique summer colors [Image: Copperleaf] (Video 06/17/13) Mention summer color and we typically think of bright flowers. But foliage can be a source of great splashes of color, too. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the diverse copperleaf -- uniquely colored plants that are drought-tolerant even through the hottest months. (Runtime: 1:46) High tech used to evaluate soil fertility for soybeans and corn (Distributed 06/12/13) WINNSBORO, La. – Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is normally a process used by those in the metal industry, but a study funded by the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board is using the equipment to look at fertility issues in corn and soybeans. Containers, pots on decks could use boost (Audio 06/17/13) Many gardeners have outdoor container plants. Be careful when growing container plants on wooden decks because they could cause staining or rotting of the wood. To prevent this from happening, boost container plants by placing them on top of bricks or pot feet. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Agritourism workshop set for July 23 in Zwolle, La. ZWOLLE, La. – A workshop for landowners interested in starting an outdoor recreational business on their property will be held July 23 at the Wildwood Resort in Sabine Parish. Mayhaws in short supply this year [Image: Charles and Nelda Hutchins ] POLLOCK, La – Charles and Nelda Hutchins have been making mayhaw jelly in their Grant Fruit Processing facility for 12 years. The couple buys mayhaw berries from growers in Louisiana and neighboring states, but they have never seen a mayhaw season this bad. Plant pentas to brighten flower bed (Audio 06/17/13) Just about everyone loves a colorful flower bed in the summer. Pentas are wonderful, reliable plants that come in a variety of beautiful colors and sizes. Hear more about planting pentas in your flower bed. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Control population of caterpillars in landscape (Audio 06/17/13) Caterpillars are a major pest on plants such as vegetables, ornamentals and fruit trees. Gardeners should keep an eye out for caterpillar damage and take action for controlling infestations if necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Click for more information...