(Distributed 07/30/10) We often associate many of our warm-season bedding plants with the spring and summer growing seasons. Often overlooked is the fact that many of these plants may actually do better in our Louisiana landscapes during mid- and late summer through fall. Zinnias and marigolds are two excellent examples of warm-season bedding plants to try from August through the first killing frost.

(Distributed 07/22/10) Most people think of mid-summer as the “down time” in the landscape. Many of our warm-season bedding plants from earlier in the spring and summer have a tendency to not be performing as well by the time we get to late summer. We do, however, have a wonderful assortment of tropical plants that can be grown very successfully in south Louisiana.

(Distributed 07/16/10) Summer is prime growing season for lawns in Louisiana. Lawns that are not performing their best can be made better through the fall. If you did not fertilize your lawn during the spring, you still have time to fertilize and get your lawn in good shape prior to fall

(Distributed 07/09/10) One of the most popular summer bedding plants in Louisiana is vinca, also called periwinkle. This annual plant is known for having a very long blooming season. It is also very heat- and drought-tolerant.

(Distributed 07/02/10) Many times, we tend to neglect our home landscapes during the summer, but this can be a time of the year when problems arise. Summer officially will last only three months, but real summer growing conditions in Louisiana can last 120-150 days. During this hard time of the year in the landscape, several horticultural practices need to be done.

(Distributed 06/25/10) What should you be doing in your garden this time of year? We say, as little as possible because mid-June to mid-September is the most stressful time of the year for gardeners and their plants.

(Distributed 06/18/10) The extraordinary heat we experience in summer in Louisiana can be put to good use in the vegetable garden. Through solarization – a process of using sunlight to heat soil in beds under clear plastic – summer heat can be used to reduce the harmful effects of pathogenic fungi and nematodes and kill weed seeds in the soil without using toxic chemicals.

(Distributed 06/11/10) June is the peak month for harvesting early-summer vegetables. People grow their own vegetables because of the outstanding quality of freshly harvested produce, and growing your own vegetables is a part of sustainable landscaping. Harvesting at the right stage, however, is essential to getting the best quality vegetables from your garden.

(Distributed 06/04/10) June is the month when gardeners around Louisiana need to prepare their landscapes for hurricane season. Even in north Louisiana, landscapes can be affected by the high winds and heavy rains powerful hurricanes can bring.

(Distributed 05/28/10) Spring rose bloom was outstanding this year. The cooler weather through the winter did very little cold damage, and the dry weather and cool nights in spring led to a tremendous peak bloom throughout the state in mid- to late April.