Agriculture

Native gardens, start small

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, November 14, 2025
Most native gardeners are not purists and start small. It is not necessary to transform your entire yard into a native prairie. Starting small can be accomplished in a variety of ways. It can be as simple as adding native plants to blend with current plants.
Cool Jazz is a new color in the Supertunia series of petunia hybrids and a great choice for cool-season gardens. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Cool Jazz is a new color in the Supertunia series of petunia hybrids and a great choice for cool-season gardens. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Try something different for cool-season color

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, November 14, 2025
After a few false starts, it seems that reliably cool weather has finally set in across Louisiana. Many of us have even gotten our first frost or freeze of the season under our belts.
Red hurricane lilies are a feature of many Southern gardens. (Photo by Kyle Peveto/LSU AgCenter)

Red hurricane lilies are a feature of many Southern gardens. (Photo by Kyle Peveto/LSU AgCenter)

Hurricane lilies are Southern garden heirlooms

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, September 26, 2025
Have you noticed some red flowers popping up, seemingly out of nowhere, lately? Chances are you have been graced by the presence of hurricane lilies. These flowers tend to show up in August and September — peak hurricane season in Louisiana, hence their name.

A symphony of dried flowers

(not verified)
Friday, September 19, 2025
From the Bulb and Blossom Club Dried flowers represent the beauty of life cycles and the passage of time. The summer season in South Louisiana is drawing to a close, gardens are beginning to wither and it is time to prepare your garden for a new phase of life.
When dividing irises, look for younger, smaller rhizomes that have leaves emerging from their tips. Plant these rhizomes and discard older, larger ones that are not producing new growth. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

When dividing irises, look for younger, smaller rhizomes that have leaves emerging from their tips. Plant these rhizomes and discard older, larger ones that are not producing new growth. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Got too many irises? Now’s a good time to divide, share them

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, September 19, 2025
Many of the perennial plants in our landscapes are slowing down at this time of year. With fall and winter drawing near, a season of dormancy is approaching for these plants. Not so for Louisiana irises. They rested up over the summer, and now, they’re gearing up for a period of growth.
As summer vegetable gardens succumb to the heat and slow down, consider leaving your plants for a while longer so you can collect seeds to grow next year. Southern peas, like these Louisiana Purchase peas, can be left on the vine to dry. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

As summer vegetable gardens succumb to the heat and slow down, consider leaving your plants for a while longer so you can collect seeds to grow next year. Southern peas, like these Louisiana Purchase peas, can be left on the vine to dry. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

As summer comes to a close, save seeds for next year’s garden

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, September 12, 2025
It’s always a bit sad to see our summer vegetable gardens peter out as the season comes to a close. Those once-verdant plants are now fading as the long, hot summer takes its toll.
Harvest elderberries when they are dark purple to black. Do not eat green or red elderberries, which are toxic. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Harvest elderberries when they are dark purple to black. Do not eat green or red elderberries, which are toxic. (Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)

Are elderberries a nuisance or nature’s gift?

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 29, 2025
There’s an old saying that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. It’s a similar story for elderberries — nuisance for some, valuable crop to others. It’s true: Elderberries do behave like weeds in many ways. These large shrubs pop up along fences, in ditches, on vacant lots.
Okra thrives in the summer heat, making it a favorite in Louisiana gardens. Many varieties are available; Clemson Spineless, a popular choice, is pictured here.

Okra thrives in the summer heat, making it a favorite in Louisiana gardens. Many varieties are available; Clemson Spineless, a popular choice, is pictured here.

Easy-to-grow okra is a Louisiana tradition

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 15, 2025
Okra holds a special place in the hearts of many Louisianans. For some, it’s an essential ingredient in gumbo, and for others, it’s a must-grow crop in the summer vegetable garden. It’s no wonder why: Okra is tasty and nutritious. It’s easy to grow and prolific, even in intense heat.

Bottom watering container plants

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, August 8, 2025
Bottom watering house plants is a great watering technique where plants absorb water from the bottom up instead of being fed water from the top. It promotes stronger healthier roots by making them grow downward for their water source, which also helps to anchor the plant.