Audio segments featuring gardening advice and tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill.

(Audio 12/01/08) There is still time to plant cool-season flowers even though we are into early December. Plant violas, snapdragons and pansies now for great color in the winter and an outstanding spring display. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/01/08) Gardening doesn't stop in the winter. The vegetable garden can be productive all year long in Louisiana. Gardeners have a number of vegetables they can plant in December. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 12/01/08) It’s not actually a camellia, but the sasanqua looks like one, and it’s in the same family. Unlike the camellia, the plant featured on this edition of Get it Growing blooms in fall. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how this camellia look-alike grows great as a shrub or a small tree. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 12/01/08) Recent freezes may have killed tomato plants, but if your plants are still surviving, here are a few tips to protect them in cold weather. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/01/08) Christmas trees play an important part in celebrating the holiday season, and selecting the right kind of tree is a big part of the process. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/01/08) Poinsettias are the most commonly used plant in decorating for the holiday season. With proper selection and care, you can keep these plants looking attractive for as long as possible. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/08) Fall is the best time to plant hardy trees and shrubs in your landscapes. If you plant them now, the heat of summer won't threaten the young tress. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/08) When considering how to fertilize plants this time of year, the best option really is not to fertilize at all. Just about everything in your landscape is going dormant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/08) Many of us like to use container plants outside during the summer. But when the weather turns cold, these plants need to be brought indoors. Just remember that you may need to let them adjust to lower light conditions before making the move. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/08) To many people, falling leaves are a nuisance. These leaves, however, can be useful if we recycle them into compost or mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/08) A wide variety of herbs are hardy and can be planted this time of year. There are even some herbs that really grow well in Louisiana during the cool season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 11/24/08) If you’re looking for a small tree that has beautiful color, you might be pleased with the Japanese maple. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horiculturist Dan Gill explains why Japanese maples grow well in Louisiana and how fall is the right time to plant them. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 12/12/08) Now is an excellent time to evaluate your landscape for any pruning that needs to be done, since many plants can be pruned now through February.

(For Release On Or After 12/26/08) I recently received a copy of a book called The Garden in Winter. Imagining what I would see inside, I opened the book and the pictures were just what I had expected. The pages were filled with snowy scenes.

(Distributed 11/21/08) The LSU AgCenter’s Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar can be a great holiday gift for gardeners and others. The 2009 edition of the calendar is on sale now and provides a variety of helpful information tailored to Louisiana gardeners, as well as those who simply enjoy photos of beautiful gardens and plants.

(For Release On Or After 12/19/08) Among my favorite dishes for breakfast is a stack of hot, buttered pancakes drowning in maple syrup. Although we can’t grow the sugar maples that produce that delicious syrup here in Louisiana, a wonderful selection of maples can be used as shade trees and ornamentals in our landscapes

(For Release On Or After 12/5/08) Of the many kinds of plants we use to decorate our homes for the holidays, the holiday cactuses possess a special beauty. And yes, despite the fact that these plants don’t possess spines, they are true cactuses.

(Audio 11/17/08) Broccoli is a great cool-season vegetable for your garden. It's a little late to plant broccoli now, but if you planted it earlier, you may be wondering when you should harvest this vegetable. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/08) The best time to plant fruit and nut trees is from November until February. Most of these trees need full sun and plenty of room to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/08) You will begin to notice amarylis bulbs in nurseries and garden centers around this time of year. The process that growers use to ship amarylis makes them grow and bloom during winter, so you must plant them in a container the first year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/08) Summer-flowering bulbs grow and bloom during the summer months. Often these plants go dormant during this time of year and become unattractive, so it's the time to trim their foliage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/08) Cool weather has arrived, and now is the perfect time to add cool-season bedding plants to the flower beds in your landscape. These plants will continue to bloom for you into spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/08) November is an outstanding month to plant spring-flowering bulbs in your landscape. These bulbs grow over the winter very slowly and then grow rapidly and bloom in the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/08) Just about everyone enjoys a fresh salad, but the best lettuce is freshly harvested from your own vegetable garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/08) Most of the perennial plants that we use in our landscapes bloom in the summer. Many of these perennials are winding down right now. This is a good time to cut back any unattractive growth or flowers from them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 11/17/08) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recently visited Bracy’s Nursery in Amite, La. Bracy’s is a wholesale plant supplier to the entire southeastern United States. In this edition of Get It Growing, Dan talks with employees at Bracy’s about how they produce quality plants in large volume. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Video 11/10/08) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill visited the massive Windmill Nursery in Franklinton, La. Windmill is a wholesale plant supplier to the entire southeastern United States. In this edition of Get It Growing, Windmill’s general manager recommends some quality plants for the fall growing season. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/080) During the winter our warm-season grasses go dormant making your lawn brown. If this bothers you, then one option is to overseed your permanent lawn with ryegrass. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/08) Camellias are amazingly beautiful shrubs. One of the greatest things about camellias is they produce flowers in late fall and winter when few other plants are blooming. Camellias are prone to infestations of tea scale. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 11/28/08I wish more gardeners understood that fall is a primary planting season in Louisiana. For years horticulturists have tried to get the word out that November through February is the ideal time to plant hardy trees and shrubs in the landscape. Planting in late November and early December is especially good since trees and shrubs planted now benefit in several ways.)

(For Release On Or After 11/21/08) Fall is an outstanding time to plant many of the hardy culinary herbs, and one of the most popular is parsley.

(For Release On Or After 11/14/08) Now is the perfect time to plant cool-season bedding plants that will brighten our landscapes over the next five or six months. Gardeners often overlook the fact that some cool-season bedding plants are wonderfully fragrant.

(For Release On Or After 11/07/08) So you’ve finally decided to get that hobby greenhouse you always wanted. Even though winter weather in Louisiana is relatively mild, gardeners still may find that a greenhouse offers a variety of advantages.

(Audio 11/03/08) Louisiana gardeners can use a wide variety of evergreen trees and shrubs in their landscape because of the mild winters we experience. These plants keep our landscapes looking attractive all through the winter. Gardeners should not be concerned about the leaves of an evergreen plant turning yellow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/03/08) Local nurseries have plenty of chrysanthemums in a wide variety of colors. Planting these perennials is a great way to add color to landscapes this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/03/08) Savvy Louisiana gardeners know that we can get a second tomato crop out of our tomato plants. As the weather cools, the plant production slows down, and gardeners must watch out for freezes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/03/08) From November and peaking into early December is when the deciduous trees in our landscape begin to drop all of their leaves. These fallen leaves can provide many good things for our landscapes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/03/08) Louisiana's mild winter allows us to grow a wide variety of delicious vegetables in our home vegetable gardens. Vegetable gardeners who typically plant only in spring and summer should try growing winter vegetables, as well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 10/27/08) Fall is a great time to plant shrubs and trees into your landscape. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a purplish-looking plant that can be grown as a shrub or as a tree. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/08) Hydrangeas are unique plants that come in lovely shades of blue or pink. They are unusual because the availability of aluminum in the soil dictates their color. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/08) Although our trees really don't begin dropping their leaves until November, you can start thinking about what to do with these leaves when they fall. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends composting them or using them for mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/08) Persimmons are popular fruit trees you can plant in your home orchard. They are easy to grow and they are not prone to any major insect or disease problems. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/08) Brown patch is a fungal disease that attacks lawns. Brown patch generally occurs when the daytime temperatures are mild and the nights are cooler. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about what to look for and how to control brown patch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/08) October may not seem like a time to talk about roses, but it is one of state's primary blooming seasons. Roses generally begin blooming in October and continue to do so through December. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 10/20/08) Fall is a great time to plant shrubs and trees in your landscape. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a sweet-scented shrub which becomes a magnet for bumblebees and butterflies (Runtime:1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/08) The azalea lace bug is the leading insect pest of azaleas. These insects live underneath the leaves and feed on leaf tissue. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/08) When planting spring-flowering bulbs, be aware they are only in bloom for a short period of time. You should plant them sparingly and use them to embellish small areas of your spring landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/08) You may hear or see advertisements that recommend winterizing your lawn. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says this process is optional and in many cases unnecessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/08) Many of the cool-season annual herbs or the hardy perennial herbs can be planted now. When planting, keep in mind a single plant generally will provide all the herbs an average family needs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/08) The chrysanthemum is often considered the floral emblem of autumn. You can find them already in bloom at local nurseries. They are a wonderful and very easy way to add color to your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 10/13/08) If you want a plant that produces fall shades of orange and red, then you might want to check out the croton. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the proper care for this tropical plant that brings us fall color. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 10/13/08) Many of our perennials grow from clumps. The clumps become larger and larger each year and may need to be divided. This segment of Get It Growing has advice for Louisiana gardeners about dividing perennials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/13/08) Gardeners must be careful about what they fertilize this time of the year. Nitrogen can stimulate plants that need to start preparing and shutting down for winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/13/08) As the weather cools in October, many of the warm-season bedding plants in Louisiana gardens begin fading. Gardeners can pull those plants out and start preparing their flower beds for cool-season bedding plants. But they should decide what they want before going to the nursery. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/13/08) Gardeners should be on the lookout for scale insects in their landscapes. These insects often are under a protective covering and don't move, so it’s easy to overlook them. Camellias and gardenias are commonly infested with scale insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/13/08) Gardeners should be cautious when pruning in the fall. Pruning shrubs now can encourage new growth, and that new growth won't have time to harden off before winter starts. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/08/08) People in Louisiana love their gardens, and it shows in the new 2009 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar from the LSU AgCenter. Inspiring photos of flowers, plants and lawns are just a few of the reasons Louisiana gardeners and calendar lovers alike have made the calendar a perennial favorite.

(Audio 10/06/08) Sweet peas are one of the most outstanding annual, flowering vines we can grow here in Louisiana. They are attractive for both the color and the fragrance they provide. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Most summer-blooming perennials have stopped blooming by now. This is a good time to tidy up around where these plants were flourishing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Mulches are one of the most important gardening techniques we use in our landscapes. Mulches are particularly useful in supressing weed growth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Ripe strawberries are one of spring's greatest treats. Louisiana gardeners can enjoy the freshest strawberries by growing their own in their home gardens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/06/08) Louisiana gardeners use tropical plants in containers outside during the summer. You should begin preparing these plants if you plan to keep them inside during the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 10/06/08) Most people plant roses in the spring. That’s a good time to plant them; but fall also is an excellent season to get your rose plants into the ground. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the advantages of planting fall roses. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) We plant caladiums because of the colorful leaves they produce, and they make shaded areas more attractive. These plants grow from tubers much like potatoes. You can use that tuber to grow your caladiums in the following years, but you may need to dig it up and store it this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 10/31/08) Few flowering bulbs can surpass the stately beauty of the amaryllis. Typically blooming in April, this popular bulb is a star performer in the spring garden.

(For Release On Or After 10/24/08) The seasons are changing, and we are entering a transitional period in the flower garden when warm-season bedding plants begin to fade and cool-season bedding plants are planted to provide fall, winter and spring color.

(For Release On Or After 10/17/08) As the days shorten and temperatures gradually become cooler, it is apparent summer is finally ending. Lawn care definitely begins to change during this time of year.

(For Release On Or After 10/10/08)In my previous column I discussed weed control in the landscape. I focused primarily on preventive and corrective methods of controlling weeds without using herbicides.

(For Release On Or After 10/03/08) There are lots of reasons why we shouldn’t let weeds grow in our landscapes.

(Audio 09/29/08) Louisiana gardeners use transplants to establish many vegetables and bedding plants. Transplants normally are young plants grown from seeds in a container and then added to your garden. It is very important that you get these transplants off to a good start. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) Many summer-flowering bulbs will continue to bloom well into the fall. Even though they are still growing and blooming, they are reaching the end of their season. October is not a good time to fertilize these plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) October is when we really begin to focus on cool-season plantings in our vegetable garden. You may still have some fall peppers and tomatoes in your garden, but for the purposes of planting you should really focus on the cool-season vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) Gardeners often purchase the seeds they need to grow flowers or vegetables from seed racks at a local nursery. They may also mail-order seeds. And there are occasions when it's possible to save seeds from plants in your garden and use them for new plantings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/29/08) As temperatures begin to transition and the weather goes from being warmer to cooler, it’s a tricky time to decide what’s best to plant in your flower gardens. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the pros and cons of planting cool- and warm-season bedding plants this time of year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) Late summer is a great time to evaluate the flower beds in your landscape. There are a variety of things you should make notes on, such as the performance of the plants found in the beds and which plants were succesful and which ones you won't plant again. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) The prime tree-planting season is right around the corner. It is best to plant trees and shrubs from November into the early part of December. While it is still too hot to actually plant trees, it would be a good idea to evaluate your landscape now and find out where you may need more shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) Garlic is an outstanding vegetable with all kinds of health benefits. Most people don't know how easy it is to plant and maintain in their own vegetable gardens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) September and October are transitional months in Louisiana. We begin to cycle out of summer's intense heat as we see cooler weather move in. We also may notice much drier weather, which means you will find yourself watering your garden more frequently. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/22/08) The Louisiana iris is one of the most beautiful perennial flowering plants you can plant in your garden. Since these plants are native to Louisiana, it's easy to see why they do so well here. They go dormant in the summer. This means if you have been looking to transplant your iris, now is the time to do so. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/22/08) After the hurricane force winds Louisiana had in September, scores of dead trees are sprawled on lawns and at curbs. Some are even on homes. But amidst the destruction LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill has an important lesson -- in this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Video 09/15/08) Fallen and leaning trees serve as reminders of Hurricane Gustav’s destructive power. But should all of these trunks end up in garbage piles? In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how small trees that have bent or toppled might still be saved. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Azalea lace bugs are the leading insect pest of azaleas in Louisiana. These lacy-winged insects live on the underside of the plant's leaves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Container plants offer many benefits. They can embellish an area where plants won't grow, and they are easily movable. One of the drawbacks of growing plants in containers is that the root system eventually will outgrow the container. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Caladiums are one of the most reliable summer bedding plants for adding color to shady areas in our landscapes. In September, caladiums become dormant, and we must decide whether to remove them from the landscape for storing or allow them to remain in the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) In the past, azaleas flowered in one huge gush in late March and into early April. Now gardeners can plant new groups of azaleas that will bloom in the spring and again in the fall. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Audio 09/15/08) Everybody loves a fresh and juicy tree-ripened peach. A peach tree is a popular item to grow in home landscapes. You can plant one in your landscape, but, before you do, be aware that peach trees can have insect and disease problems. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) Mulches are materials spread over soil in our landscape beds and gardens. One of a mulch's most important benefits is weed control. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) If we have a hot and dry September, there is a good chance chinch bugs will be prevalent in our lawns. A possible sign you have chinch bugs is an area of dead grass that starts small and rapidly begins to enlarge. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) Lousiana gardeners can do a lot of planting in new beds from September on into November. This includes cool-season vegetables and bedding plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) September ushers in a changing of the seasons to some degree. Remember that most flowering trees and shrubs have already set their buds. Anything that blooms from October to May should not be pruned now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/08) September weather in Louisiana is not typically fall-like, but the shorter days tell our plants it is time to slow down and prepare for winter. This means you should be careful when choosing what to fertilize. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/08/08) If you haven’t started your fall vegetable garden yet, now is a good time to plant it. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides you with tips on getting your fall cucumbers planted. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) Many plants are part of the onion family, and we can grow these in our home vegetable gardens. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers help with planting these potent vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) During late summer, it is not unusual to have a lot of afternoon showers. This can often lead to increasingly soggy conditions and eventually lawn fungus. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) Mature trees are one of the most valuable and irreplaceable things in your landscape. When adding to your home or doing new construction, it is important to be careful when working around these trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) Louisiana gardeners love pecans, and the pecan tree can be a nice addition to your landscape. There are a couple things you should keep in mind when growing a pecan tree, and LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides tips in this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/01/08) With fall fast approaching, it’s a great time to grow a vegetable garden in Louisiana. In this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to choose the right fall tomatoes and bell peppers and how to plant them correctly. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/08) There are a wide variety of vegetables you can plant in September. You can plant both warm-season and cool-season vegetables at this time. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 09/26/08) Birds can contribute wonderful things to the enjoyment of a landscape, such as movement, color, sounds and even pest control. The presence of birds is almost universally welcome among gardeners. Gardeners can even go so far as to design and plant landscapes that are particularly attractive to birds.

(For Release On Or After 09/19/08) When it comes to home landscaping, many gardeners remain confused about how to create what they want. The important thing to remember is that developing an attractive, properly functioning landscape is best done using a process.

(For Release On Or After 09/12/08) Roadsides and meadows come alive with colors of native wildflowers in September, October and November. Gardeners – who sometimes struggle to create beautiful displays of flowers in their landscapes – often marvel at the way nature seems to achieve such beauty without effort.

(For Release On Or After 09/05/08) September is one of our most active months for tropical storms and hurricanes. Trees are particularly vulnerable to the effects of high winds and sustain various types of damage as a result.

(Audio 08/25/08) When you buy transplants from your local nursery or gardening center, it is important to remember that those transplants have lived a very sheltered life. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/08) Intense heat in mid-August is stressful for our landscape. This may, however, be a good time to go around your garden and take notes on how your plants are doing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)