Home > Lawn & Garden > Commercial Horticulture > Sealants for Tractor and Equipment Tires If you have frequent flat tires on tractors, implements, or other off-road equipment you might want to consider using a tire sealant. Protective Sleeves for Hydraulic Hoses [Image: unprotected hydraulic hoses] Hydraulic hoses can be a weak link in your tractor’s hydraulic system. The exposed hoses are very vulnerable to wear – and thus leakage and failure. Nylon sleeves over the hoses can dramatically increase hose life. Renting Lawn and Garden Equipment It is not necessary to buy all the equipment you need for your lawn and garden. In many cases, renting can be a practical option. BMPs for Greenhouse Producers For successful greenhouse crop production, growers must be able to recognize symptoms of insect, disease or nutritional problems in their plants and take corrective measures before major crop losses occur. Although scouting regularly does give you the added benefit or early detection, it is essential to employ practices that improve overall greenhouse management. For that purpose, we have taken the liberty of compiling some best management practices (BMPs) that we hope will reduce the chance of  more articles... Ball FloraPlant Herbaceous Plant Landscape Trials - 2009 [Image: sun spun silver] Landscape evaluation observations were taken on new plants from Ball FloraPlant in 2009. Here is the completed report from LSU AgCenter work at the Hammond Research Station. Engine Oil for Lawn and Garden Equipment [Image: API symbol] Oil is the lifeblood of any engine. Neglecting your oil can be a costly mistake. Selection and Use of a Landscape Bedshaper [Image: landscape bed shaper] Some companies now offer landscape bedshapers designed specifically to lay out and maintain landscape beds. These machines are generally heavier, more powerful and more versatile than turf edgers. Field-grown Cut Flowers for Louisiana [Image: Variety of cut flowers] Species and variety recommendation for field grown specialty cut flowers in the South. 2-Stroke and 4-Stroke Engines [Image: 2-stroke engine on string trimmer] Most small, hand-carried lawn and garden tools use 2-stroke engines and most larger machines such as lawn and garden tractors use 4-stroke engines. The reason for this has to do with the weight ratio of the engines. Ballasting Compact Utility Tractors [Image: front weights] You may be able to improve the performance of your compact utility tractor by ballasting the tractor properly. Spreader Setting Recommendations [Image: spreader test stand] When you buy a bag of fertilizer or granular pesticide to spread on your lawn, it will usually have a label on the back of the bag with settings for several common fertilizer spreaders. Do you know where those settings come from, how they were developed or how reliable they are? Rotary Spreaders With Pattern Cut-Off [Image: left port closed] Rotary spreaders offer the advantages of wide, fast coverage and forgiving patterns, but they are not well suited to working along turf edges. Some spreaders offer a pattern cut-off mechanism to address this problem. Distribution Patterns from Homeowner Rotary Spreaders [Image: spreader pattern] Some rotary spreaders can deliver a reasonably uniform distribution pattern with some products, but not with others, and some homeowner rotary spreaders don’t deliver a good pattern with any product. Oil and Fuel Filters for Small Engines [Image: external fuel filter] One of the most important things you can do to maintain your small engines and tractors is to service the oil and fuel filters as needed. Click for more information...