Master Gardener

[Image: Louisiana Master Gardener Logo]Louisiana Master Gardener™ Program The Louisiana Master Gardener™ program is a service and educational activity offered by the LSU AgCenter. The program is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet the educational needs of home gardeners while providing an enjoyable and worthwhile service experience for volunteers. more...

Commercial Horticulture

Citrus and Freezing Temperatures The cold weather we typically receive now through January can cause problems for home and commercial citrus in our area. It is important to know the critical temperatures and the factors affecting them. [Image: Vinca]2003-04 Landscape Performance Bedding Plants and Herbaceous Perennials Efforts in 2003 and 2004 included evaluation of cannas, coleus, angelonias, purslane, lantanas, perennial verbena, annual and perennial salvia, vinca, zinnias, melampodium, petunias, rudbeckia, phlox, daylilies, dianthus, ornamental kale, ornamental cabbage, calendula, violas, pansies, ornamental sweet potatoes, garden mums, African and French marigolds and others. [Image: field day photo]Newest Ornamental Sweet Potatoes The newest ornamental sweet potato cultivars are the 'Sweet Caroline' series. These are being evaluated in LSU AgCenter landscape plant trials. Plant Evaluations - Sun Garden 2008 A written overview of plants being evaluated in the sun garden landscape area at the Hammond Research Station in 2008. [Image: mowers]Zero Turning Radius Mowers: Selection, Use, Maintenance & Safety This publication is intended to help you select the correct zero turning radius mower for your purpose, then use it and maintain it correctly and safely. (PDF Format Only) [Image: daylily rust]All-American Daylillies: Performance and the Rust Threat Interest in daylilies is still strong despite rust problems over the past several years. New daylily selections and All-American daylily winners need to be evaluated in the Gulf South for landscape performance. more...

Home Gardening

[Image: rutted turf]Mow Like a Pro Varying your mowing pattern can cause you to spend a little more time mowing, but the result will be a greatly improved appearance in your turfgrass. [Image: Figure 1. Fear of damage from falling branches or trees prompted this case of "chainsaw backlash". This Louisiana homeowner removed all ten live oaks from her property. Photo by Hallie Dozier.]Make Wise Tree Removal Decisions before a Hurricane This article reviews recent research on urban and community trees and their ability to stand up to hurricane strength winds. [Image: Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide]Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide Use this guide to plant a successful vegetable garden. The information has been developed after considerable research and practical experience. Citrus and Freezing Temperatures The cold weather we typically receive now through January can cause problems for home and commercial citrus in our area. It is important to know the critical temperatures and the factors affecting them. Plan Color Scheme for Your Cool-season Landscape October is a transitional month in Louisiana flower gardens. Many warm season annuals have finished or are finishing, and gardeners' thoughts are just beginning to turn to cool-season bedding plants for fall, winter and spring color. Get It Growing: Healthy Plants Start With Bed Preparation (For Release On Or After 10/05/07) Fall is a prime planting season in Louisiana. Cool-season flowering bedding plants and cool-season vegetables are planted from now through February, and November through February is the best time to plant hardy shrubs, ground covers and perennials in the landscape. How well you prepare the soil before planting has an enormous effect on the health and growth of your plants. more...