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.

Garden tools will last longer if we take good care of them, but it can be a real bother to do so. A simple trick will make it much easier for you to keep your shovels, hoes, trowels, etc. clean and protected.

These tables estimate the cost and return of a greenhouse tomato farm in Louisiana.

Pine straw makes an excellent mulch and is much in demand for landscaping. If you own some land with pine trees, you can easily rake your own pine straw.

A demonstration of different landscape mulch materials is on-going at the Hammond Research Station. Here are photos of the different mulches currently being evaluated. More to come!!!

Nursery and Landscape Notes is a quarterly newsletter for Louisiana's green industry professionals. It includes production information for nursery growers and cultural practice recommendations for landscape contractors. New plant information is also included.

Mole crickets cause millions of dollars in turf and grass damage each year. Their burrowing in the soil breaks up the soil and causes roots to dry out. Identification, life cycle and control included.

This is a list of new poinsettia cultivars grown at LSU in 2007. It includes pictures and grower evaluations based on how the cultivars performed at the Burden Center greenhouses. Twenty cultivars were selected for a consumer survey. A response of 1 indicated a strong dislike to the cultivar and a 7 indicated consumer strongly liked the cultivar.

Forty three coleus varieties were trialed in landscape evaluation plots at the Hammond Research Station in 2008. Top performers were Red Hot Rio, Big Red Judy, Zen Moment, Lancelot, Ruby Ruffles, Mariposa, Henna, Indian Summer (not pictured), Royal Glissade, Pineapple Splash and Fishnet Stockings. Here is a photo gallery. Results are based on plant vigor, foliage attractiveness, and resistance to flowering. Plants were grown in full sun.

If you grow a vegetable garden, you probably get tired of bending over placing seeds in a furrow. Perhaps you are also tired of making the planting furrow and then covering it over and tamping. If so, you might be interested in one of the garden seeders on the market.

Electric tools eliminate the fire hazards associated with gasoline, but introduce the hazard of electric shock or electrocution. There are some steps you can take to improve the safety of electric tools.

Depending on the type of ditch or trench you need and the size of the job, you have many choices of available tools. All of the do-it-yourself methods involve hard work, but some are not as hard as others.

Here is a list of manufacturers of chippers, shredders and grinders. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Plans are provided to allow you to build a hydraulic lift boom to mount on a category II or category III-N 3-point hitch.

Louisiana and the southeastern United States has an abundance of native plants that have potential for ornamental and fruit crop use. One of these that LSU AgCenter personnel have been investigating in recent years is the pawpaw.

This article contains links to sources for nonpowered backpack and hand-pump sprayers. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

A dirt scoop is a handy attachment for small tractors. It will allow you to dig, move, and dump small quantities of soil, gravel, sand, or other materials much easier than you can do with a shovel and wheelbarrow and much less expensively than with a front-end loader on your tractor.

The key components of the effective use of fungicides for pecan disease control are timing, coverage and concentration. The updated 2008 fungicide list is included.

To harvest an acre of sod on a sod farm will require more than an acre to be cut because it is virtually impossible to harvest all the grass as a saleable item. Losses will come from several sources.

Fruit thinning is a time-consuming task that is often required to produce good quality fruit. It can be very beneficial for peach, plum and apple trees.

Carefull examination of the spark plug(s) can yield insights into other maintenance needs on your engine.

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your small engines is to service the air filters as needed.

This list contains links to sources for utility vehicles.

Putting the correct grease in your grease gun and using it religiously can prolong the life of your equipment.

Maintaining quality turfgrass sometimes requires that lawn waste be picked up. This trash can include leaves, pine needles and grass clippings as well as twigs, seed pods from trees and pine cones.

This document describes the diseases that occur most frequently on pecan trees in Louisiana.

ZTR (zero turning radius) riding mowers can do a wonderful job of maintaining turf, but the rapid response and maneuverability that make them so handy can cause problems if you aren’t careful.

Managing nematodes in golf greens is quickly going to change over the next two years. The current nematicide that is being use is being phased out.

Links to some of the numerous ants of Louisiana discussing identification, biology and treatment.

One of the most hazardous substances most of us have to deal with is gasoline. We tend to take it for granted since it is so common and familiar, but we should pay it more respect.

Several heavy-duty hand tools canl help you with intermediate pruning jobs and allow you to avoid the cost and hassle of a chainsaw.

Pruning shears come in two basic styles and in a wide range of sizes and price ranges.

A new coleus for shade has been impressive in LSU AgCenter trials at Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

This article contains links to sources for lawn and garden carts.

A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth.

The relatively new Son series of lantanas from Jim Covington at Clinton Nursery in Clinton, Miss., have been very impressive in Louisiana and Mississippi plant trials the last few years.

Cut flowers can be a profitable crop in the Southern U.S. This manual provides basic information on the production of specialty cut flowers.

Areas that receive a lot of traffic usually become compacted. Soil particles are packed closer together, creating a root zone where there is little air, poor percolation of water and a tough medium for roots to grow in. The most effective form of relief for a compacted lawn is core aerification.

Several models of small walk-behind stump grinders are aimed at homeowners, rental use and smaller professional operations. Most are reasonably safe if used carefully, but a few are not safe no matter how they are used.

These photos and drawings show how to use an ASAE standard 3" x 8" hydraulic cylinder to provide a power-adjustable upper link for a tractor 3-point hitch.

One of the factors that most affects both the capability of a lawn/garden tractor, and the price, is the engine.

This article contains links to sources for nonpowered walk-behind sprayers. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

All compact tractors currently sold have Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS), and most larger zero-turn mowers now have this safety feature also. A ROPS that is properly designed and used can prevent serious injury in most overturn accidents. One of the most important considerations in ROPS protection is to wear your seatbelt.

Removing the bucket from the front-end loader on your tractor is very easy (on newer loaders) and makes your tractor much more maneuverable. You should develop the habit of removing the loader bucket whenever you use your tractor for mowing, tilling, etc.

Post hole diggers mounted on tractors and powered by the tractors’ PTO shafts are useful tools for setting posts, planting trees, and other uses, but they can cause serious injury if not used correctly. The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) is an organization whose members manufacture post hole diggers. They have developed some guidelines to help you use their products more safely.

Compact utility tractors are small diesel tractors with less than 40 horsepower. All current models come equipped with two important safety features: a rollover protective structure (ROPS) and a seatbelt. These two safety components can go a long way toward protecting you in case of an overturn - if you use them.

This list contains links to sources for walk-behind blowers and vacuums.

One of the handiest implements you can put on your tractor is a lift boom for the 3-point hitch. In some areas these are called boom poles or gin poles.

Periodically, grasshoppers have been of economic importance, but a few species sometimes occur in large enough numbers to damage citrus, vegetable crops and landscape ornamentals. One of the species most commonly causing damage is the eastern lubber grasshopper.

In recent years, IPM programs are becoming more attractive to ornamental growers. Scouting is a key component of any IPM and helps you to (1) detect when pests are first present, (2) make proper control decisions and (3) monitor whether your control practices are effective. Here are some tips on how to scout and practice IPM for the control of one of the top greenhouse pests - twospotted spider mite.

Sports turf grown on a sand-based root zone requires special attention since it is sand and not soil. This management is more like a hydroponic culture.

Many people use a rotary cutter (often referred to by the copyrighted name “Bush Hog”) to cut grass and weeds, but, in too many cases, the implement is not correctly adjusted.

This poster discusses natural feeding preferences, adapted feeding preferences and feeding strategies of the Argentine Ant.

A simple hand spreader is often the best tool for applying granular fertilizer or pesticides.

This article contains links to sources for garden seeders. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

A properly constructed and maintained playing surface is an important component of the overall athletic facility. This publication includes information on the construction and maintence of athletic field turfgrass.

Soil compaction and lack of aeration are death on turf.

(Distributed 06/17/08) The LSU AgCenter has conducted a considerable amount of evaluation research on crape myrtles over the last 10-plus years, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. “Probably 40-50 varieties are worthy of being grown and sold in Louisiana,” Owing says.

The analysis or "formula" listed on the fertilizer bags tells you what is inside. This information lets you apply the proper amount of fertilizer.

The soil's pH (acidity level) is a basic foundation of soil fertility and productivity. It is 'step one' in plant production.

This slide show provides information on the identification and control of the most common weeds.

BOSSIER CITY – Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse may be less costly in the future.Dr. H.Y. Hanna, an LSU AgCenter scientist working at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City, is studying how spacing between bags that hold the plants affects the amount of heat required to produce tomatoes in greenhouses.

Overview of common commercial products for landscape bed weed control .

Fischer -- Mars Lipstick Pink

Fischer -- Olympus Red

Fischer -- Novia Red

Fischer -- Elf Pink & Elf Red

Fischer -- Red Dragon

Whether renovating your field or planting a new one, a good, strong start is the key to success.

This article contains links to sources for powered backpack sprayers. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Layering of very different soil types creates root problems. If you can, always avoid sodding a sand-based root-zone area with native-soil-based sod.

The turfgrass cover on playing fields definitely affects the play of the game. Field speed, ball roll and safety are all very much related to the turf condition. An attractive field is inspirational to the team and a pleasure to watch play on.

A tractor 3-point hitch is handy and versatile. The upper link of a 3-point hitch is a turnbuckle that allows adjustment of the angle of the implement on the hitch. It is possible to replace this link with a hydraulic cylinder.

This list contains links to sources for walk-behind broadcast spreaders.

Phosphorus (P) is a major essential nutrient in plants and soils, but is often eyed as an element of concern. Following our BMPs for P fertilization should yield adequate growth, color and pest resistance without harmful pressures on our water’s quality.

Most professional applicators use rotary spreaders. Rotary spreaders are not only faster than drop spreaders, but are more forgiving of small errors in swath width.

Rotary broadcast spreaders offer many advantages for turf professionals. There are also some disadvantages including pattern skewing and the need to develop pattern settings for each product to center the pattern. Pendulum-action spreaders overcome those problems.

People tend to walk at different speeds. When you are pushing a spreader, this difference in walking speed can cause problems.

Some high-quality plastic spreaders have precision equivalent to the better homeowner metal spreaders. There is a tremendous difference in performance among brands and models.

A good lawn spreader is a precision tool and should be treated accordingly. Your lawn spreader doesn’t need a great deal of time-consuming maintenance, but a few simple steps can preserve the life and precision of your spreader.

FWA provides four-wheel-drive when engaged. FWA substantially increases the cost of a tractor, but it provides some important benefits.

You have many choices when it comes to shovels. The type you need depends on the job you have to do.

You will save money in the short run at discount stores and mass merchandisers. You will pay more but get better quality equipment and service with dedicated lawn and garden dealers or farm equipment dealers.

A written overview of plants being evaluated in the sun garden landscape area at the Hammond Research Station in 2008.

This article contains sources for gasoline-powered chainsaws. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

The article contains a brief description of blackberry varieties that are adapted to Louisiana. A description of primocane blackberries is also given.

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.

Fischer -- Cortez Electric Fire

Fischer -- Cortez Red & Cortez White

Fischer -- Cinnamon Star

Fischer -- Carousel Pink

Ecke Ranch -- 1090 Red

Ecke Ranch -- 1090 White

Ecke Ranch -- Polly's Pink

Ecke Ranch -- Jester Pink & Jester White

Ecke Ranch -- Enduring Pink & Enduring Red & Enduring White

Ecke Ranch -- 1090 Pink

Ecke Ranch -- 1056 White

Ecke Ranch -- 1056 Marble

Ecke Ranch -- 1180

Ecke Ranch -- 114-03 Marble ('Freedom Early Marble')

Mid-mount rotary mower decks are common on lawn tractors, garden tractors, subcompact tractors and smaller compact utility tractors. There are two ways that these decks can be mounted, and the mounting method affects adjustment and operation.

Dummen Red Fox-- Premium Red

Dummen Red Fox-- Premium Miro

The newest ornamental sweet potato cultivars are the 'Sweet Caroline' series. These are being evaluated in LSU AgCenter landscape plant trials.

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)

Ornamental gingers encompass a diverse and versatile group of plants that are gaining increased popularity in the flowering pot plant, landscape and cut flower markets. They have showy and attractive foliage and flowers, which make them interesting ornamentals.

Electrical units are fine for small lawns, gasoline hand-held units are the best choice for larger home sites and backpack blowers are a good choice for professional users.

Leaf blowers are efficient, useful tools that annoy some people. Be aware of the problem, and use your leaf blower responsibly to avoid losing the privilege.

Mowing in the morning will give a longer time of high quality play during hours of play than mowing in afternoon or evening because of the way grass grows.

A sharp mower blade produces a prettier cut with less stress on the turf plant. Sharpening a reel mower blade assembly is difficult and best left to a professional, but sharpening a common rotary mower blade is not a big problem.

The LSU AgCenter has named the top performing petunias, violas and pansies in its evaluation of 200 cool-season cultivars tested between September, 2006 and May, 2007 at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

This article contains links to sources for powered pruning saws. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

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.

This article contains links to sources for the Herbi CDA herbicide sprayer.

Factors that influence pesticide performance include water quality, coverage, agitation, mixing, watering practices, water temperature, rotation, application time, pesticide incompatibility, residual activity and surfactant use.

This manual is intended to help small greenhouse tomato growers in Louisiana and elsewhere grow a successful crop using perlite or pine bark medium. Small growers can produce vine-ripened, high-quality fruit that can be delivered to the local market on the same day of harvest.

An abundance of weeds, diseases and insects plague Louisiana’s home landscapes. The adoption of BMPs and integrated pest management (IPM) will reduce these problems.

The EPA found that small spark-ignition engines of 25 hp or less contribute about 20 percent of hydrocarbon emissions and 23 percent of carbon monoxide emissions from all mobile sources. As a result of this perceived problem, the EPA has issued new regulations on small engines.

Many implements are available for rear mounting on compact utility tractors, including mowers of various types, tillers, angle blades, box blades, cultivators, bedders and rakes. These machines add versatility to your tractor, but mounting them to the tractor’s 3-point hitch can be a hassle. A quick hitch can make your job much easier.

This list contains links to sources for walk-behind drop spreaders.

Impatiens are colorful summer-flowering annuals that provide season-long color in landscape and home gardens. The 2006 impatiens trial conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station evaluated some of the latest release of mini impatiens, trailing impatiens, double impatiens and New Guinea impatiens. Landscapers and gardeners can choose impatiens for shade or sun areas according to the trial results.

Finishing (or grooming) mowers typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping.

Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are covered by several safety standards that are designed to protect you, the operator.

This publication provides cultural practices for growing Globba 'White Dragon' as a flowering potted plant.

One of the major distinctions between low-quality and high-quality tools is the way the toolhead is manufactured.

Homeowners and gardeners often use wheelbarrows and garden carts to move materials. This article describes advantages and limitations of each.

This article provides links to sources for edgers. This list does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

With fall comes yard and garden cleanup – especially leaves. For many homeowners, a leaf blower can be an efficient and effective grounds maintenance tool, according to Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

Violas, a close relative to the pansy but with smaller flowers, can provide a mass of color on the darkest winter day. Several viola series perform well in Louisiana, but sometimes it's difficult to choose the viola you want with so many series and colors available. The pictures included on this page are all from the annual bedding plant trials performed at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

Centrifugal clutches are common on many grounds maintenance machines including string trimmers, chain saws, and some lawn mowers.

Do you get what you pay for when buying a mowing tractor? There is certainly a wide range of prices; in fact, you can easily pay twice as much for a lawn tractor at a major farm equipment dealer as you would pay for a lawn tractor with the same horsepower and mowing width at a discount store. What do you get for the additional money?

Following is a list of manufacturers of hover mowers. Click on a link to see product information from any of the companies.

A power lawnmower requires regular maintenance if it is to provide reliable service. Most of the maintenance steps are easy and can be done by a reasonably handy homeowner.

Power lawnmowers are available with a wide array of features. Some of the features are helpful; some less so. It can be a challenge to optimize both features and price.

This article contains links to sources for tractor quick hitches. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Interest in commercial sod production has risen because of increased demand for an instant turf by many building contractors and their customers. This publication discusses basic cultural practices and equipment required to produce quality sod. (PDF Only - Rev 04/08)

A simple but accurate way of checking the output of your sprayer is the H 128 method of sprayer calibration.

A small, hand-held sprayer is available that will spray herbicides uniformly and with a relatively uniform droplet size.

This list contains links to sources for walk-behind rotary tillers.

Loading equipment onto trailers and trucks presents a safety challenge. Loading the right way can reduce the risk of overturn and operator injury.

It takes some knowledge and research to select turfgrass species and varieties that are adapted to your site and that will perform well under their intended use and time of planting.

Mowing grass is the most popular way that homeowners use compact utility tractors. Different types of mowers serve different purposes, and you should choose the correct mower for your needs.

A well-groomed, lush, green lawn is not only pleasing to look at but adds value to housing property. The attractiveness of golf course turfgrass is one of the reasons this sport is so popular. But this beauty comes with a price – proper management. Here are some tips from LSU AgCenter experts.

Whether you have a few rose bushes beside your house or a half-acre garden, you will need a sprayer to take care of your plants.

A two-acre camellia garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station is now open again, thanks to the efforts of the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners.

This article contains links to sources for blowers. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Studies of water distribution uniformity and fertigation uniformity with sprinkler irrigation were conducted in a commercial container nursery. The first phase of the study consisted of determining water uniformity for two sprinkler heights. The second phase consisted of determining fertilizer application uniformity.

Application of herbicides formulated on granular carriers is a common practice in container nurseries. Depending on the container arrangement and plant species, a high percentage of the material applied may not be retained in the containers - particularly when the material is applied with a broadcast rotary spreader, as is a common practice.

Implements, including mower decks, can be attached to tractors in several ways and in several locations. The larger the implement and tractor, the more likely an upscale, easy-to-use hitch will be provided. Naturally, the upscale hitch systems cost more.

The correct use of drip irrigation provides an ideal soil moisture level for plant growth.

Louisiana has an abundant supply of water; even so, the demand for water sometimes exceeds the amount readily available. This publication will help homeowners and turf managers make better irrigation choices as to when to irrigate and how much.

Information on azaleas includes recommended cultural practices and other keys to be successful with this popular plant in your landscape efforts.

Walk-behind lawn spreaders are designed to be pushed, not pulled. The delivery rate from drop spreaders and the pattern from rotary spreaders are distorted if a spreader is pulled backward.

Drop spreaders are best suited to small lawns where you want uniform patterns or have many obstacles to trim around. Rotary spreaders are generally best for large, open areas.

You might think that riding mowers and lawn/garden tractors are small and low to the ground so overturns are not a problem. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Riding mowers and small tractors can overturn to the side or rear fairly easily.

Calibration of vehicle-mounted boom-type sprayers is simple and can be very accurate. Calibration of hand-carried sprayers is much more subjective, but it is simple to do.

Non-powered wheeled sprayers offer homeowners an easy and relatively inexpensive way to apply the correct rate of fertilizer and pesticides uniformly to home lawns.

One of the great groups of ornamental plants introduced in 2004 was the ‘Crimson’ series of azaleas from Country Pines Nursery in Forest Hill, La.

This list provides links to sources for electric and gasoline-powered string trimmers.

It seems obvious that a wider or faster mower will cover a lawn faster than a narrower or slower mower, but this is not always true - and seldom will the increase in cutting rate be proportional to the increase in width or speed.

This list of manufacturers of rakes suitable for pine straw is intended to be a complete list, but there may be unintentional omissions. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

The basics of poinsettia production for growers in the Gulf South, from cultivar selection and scheduling to height control and fertilization (2004).

Zero-turning-radius (ZTR) mowers are popular among professionals and homeowners with larger lawns. ZTR manufacturers offer many new and/or optional features on their mowers that further increase their versatility and ease of use.

Zero-turning-radius (ZTR) mowers are available in two configurations: mid-mount decks and front-mount decks. Each configuration has advantages and disadvantages, and each has proponents.

Bermudagrass sod is a tough, fine-textured, aggressive, warm-season turf, just perfect for a pretty lawn or well-performing athletic turf. It does not tolerate shade, so overhangs and trees are a big problem.

Proper identification is the key to successful disease management. This fact sheet is intended to aid in distinguishing among three common foliar diseases of watermelon. (PDF Format Only)

The Durango series marigolds have been evaluated at the LSU AgCenter the last several years. This is a group of French marigolds.

In some situations, a hand-cranked spreader is more practical than a wheeled model. When spreading granules in nurseries, beds of flowers and ornamentals, and other restricted areas, a wheeled spreader can be difficult or impossible to use. Hand- or strap-carried, hand-cranked spreaders are a viable option in such cases.

If you have a small garden, many manual cultivation tools are available for your use.

The objective of this project is to evaluate garden performance of a diverse collection of ornamental bananas. This will benefit both the ornamental plant production industry and the home consumer market.

The World Wide Web is a great source of information on many subjects, including tractors.

Although there are some imported compact tractors available under $10,000, most compact tractors from major manufacturers are in the $10,000 – $20,000 range. Older farm tractors can be a less expensive alternative to compact tractors.

If you want to apply granular products correctly, yo