Home > Communications > News > News You Can Use > Plant Wave petunias in fall [Image: MISTY LILAC] (Distributed 10/10/08) Petunias are one of the best-performing plants in the spring landscape, but for top-notch performance they should be planted in fall, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. How lower Fed rates affect consumers (Distributed 10/10/08) What impact does a Federal Reserve rate cut have on you, the consumer? We hear and read about rate changes, but we don’t always understand how they affect us as consumers, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Gloria Nye. Maintain perspective in troubled times (Distributed 10/10/08) As our country endures economic crisis, consumers are worried about the safety and security of their jobs, homes, retirement and financial futures. The current stock market plunge has triggered a dramatic chapter in Wall Street’s history. Top 5 home landscape problems in Louisiana (Distributed 10-09-08) A survey of LSU AgCenter county agents reveals five major landscape problems in Louisiana yards and gardens. These problems are improper or inadequate landscape bed preparation, not knowing soil fertility and pH, improper ornamental plant selection, winter damage to plants and shade tree care.  more articles... Baldcypress and relatives are naturals for Louisiana landscapes [Image: baldcypress tree] (Distributed 10/01/08) Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) is Louisiana’s state tree, and it is one of our featured trees at LaHouse on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. As one of our most distinguished native trees, it is one of the top five tree species planted in Louisiana landscapes. Knock Out series lives up to its name [Image: Knock Out] (Distributed 09/26/08) One of the most exciting new plants for home gardeners released in the past few years has been the Knock Out rose. It is receiving a lot of attention, and rightfully so. More than 6 million plants are being sold every year across the country. This rose fits perfectly into a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape. Mulch excellent for landscape when used properly [Image: mulch] (Distributed 09/15/08) If you don’t include mulches in your gardening efforts, you really should give them a try. You will be amazed by how much they spare you from weeding and how nice they can make your yard and garden look. Prepare for ‘Gustav spots’ in lawns (Distributed 09/10/08) One sure vestige of a hurricane or bad blow is a large, dead area of the lawn. It usually is located near curbside where yard debris is piled up for many days. Age groups react differently to calamity (Distributed 09/08/08) Children's reactions to disaster depend on their age and maturity. Their responses also are affected by how close they are to the event, their level of exposure to it through TV and how they see their parents react. Emotional recovery part of disaster aftermath (Distributed 09/08/08) Those who survive hurricanes and other natural disasters are at risk for behavioral and emotional readjustment problems. Most child and adult survivors experience one or more normal stress reactions for several days after a natural disaster. Expect to endure stages of grief after hurricanes (Distributed 09/08/08) After a crisis like Hurricane Gustav, your life may never be the same. Many of us survived this natural disaster, but much of what we care about may be lost, according to LSU AgCenter family life professor Dr. Diane D. Sasser. Sustainable, green landscapes possible (Distributed 08/29/08) Sustainability and “green” are commonly used words in mainstream media. We think of gardening and yard care as green activities, but many of our practices are not green at all, such as overusing pesticides and fertilizers. Prepare an evacuation to-go kit for your child (Distributed 08/29/08) Adults are urged to assemble a “grab-and-go” box of important papers in case of a hurricane evacuation. How about making a “to-go kit” for your child? Assembling a few treasured items can help your child in times of disaster, according to LSU AgCenter family development professor Dr. Rebecca White. Tailgate food safety ‘coach’ lays out game plan for football season (Distributed 08/28/08) If you're planning to tailgate this football season, a strong defense is your best protection against foodborne illness, says LSU AgCenter food safety “coach” Dr. Beth Reames. Microorganisms that cause foodborne illness are all around and, given the right conditions, can grow in foods and make us sick. More...