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March 2014 Articles

Just Rambling, March 2014
"Local Business Recognized During Northeast Louisiana District Livestock Show"
Louisiana Tech University Stock Horse Team
Red Imported Fire Ants, Management Options -- Continued from March Issue
Livestock Markets and Government Sequestration
Making Sense of the Nitrogen Cycle
Tropical hibiscuses add to spring, summer landscapes
Lawn Mower Safety
Did You Know?
Historical Facts:
Farmers Words of Wisdom
Shade gardening takes planning
Master Gardeners Help Make Louisiana Beautiful
New Waterway Bill Addresses Critical Needs
New Taxes Burdensome for Farm and Ranch Families
Did You Know?
Adequate Land Ranks as Top Concern of Young Farmers
Quote
Feral hogs, deer disease topics of field day
New forestry industries plan moves to Louisiana
Rehydrate with skim milk
Quote
Spiritual Corner: People of the Way
Cutting Corners: Three Layer Delight
Looking Into 2013
Fruit plants add diversity to landscapes
Plant Southern Magnolias Now
Strain Responds to Congress' Farm Bill Extension
• Now - or anytime - is a good time to mulch
Historical Facts:
Insect Management--Red Imported Fire Ants--Management Options (Continued from De
Cotton growers slowly transition to round bales
Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding
Louisiana farmers set several yield records in 2012
Controlling Rain Rot
Vitamins for Horses
Louisiana's Commercial Poultry Industry
"New" Bedding for Broilers
Louisiana Ghost Story
Canadian and U.S. Cow Slaughter Numbers Linked
Cutting Corners: Sausage Corn Chowder
Improving the Profitablity of Contract Boiler Operations
Duck Hunting in LA
Strain Named 2012 Veterinarian of the Year
LDAF Works to Deter Spread of Virus in Horses
Farmers advised on EPA fuel tank rules
Landowners advised to focus on forest productivity
Excess Capacity and its Impact on the Beef Industry
Cattle Inventory Report Summary
Controlling Grass Tetany
Livestock Market News - Situation and Outlook, Week Ending February 1, 2013
Bill extension leaves farmers uncertain about future
Historical Facts:
Trail rides, related businesses offer financial potential
Pigeon Fever Cases Identified in Northwest Arkansas
Dogwoods deserve a second look
Prune trees and shrubs correctly
Horse Trivia
Seasonal Price and Production Influences in the Broiler Chicken Industry
33 recognized as new Louisiana Master Farmers
Cutting Corners: Beef-Stuffed Peppers
Horse Trivia
New License Plate to Benefit Timber Industry
Strain Urges DEA to Review Enforcement of Controlled Substances
NASDA Members Press Congress to Enact Long-Term Farm Bill
Beef Demand Index Improvement
LDAF Warns Horse Owners of Potential Virus
Safe Tractor Operation
Red Imported Fire Ants, Management Options -- Continued from January Issue
IRS Humor
Tips for starting a home vegetable garden
Diagnostic Plan for Weak and Still-born Calves
Antibiotics Remain Important for Animal and Public Health
Farm Bureau Raises Record Food, Funds for Feeding America
Farm Bureau Urges Ag Labor Guestworker Program
Asian soybean rust found earlier this year
Replacement Heifer Management-FAQ's
Planning for azaleas is important spring decision
Proper early-season care gets roses off to a good start
Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day
Aging
Effects of Temperature and Acclimation to Handling on Reproductive Performance o
Improving the Profitablity of Contract Boiler Operations
Cutting Corners: Fried Rice
Psalm 117

(85 articles found)

Archives by Months

Now - or anytime - is a good time to mulch

Now – or anytime – is a good time to mulch
Source: Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter horticulturist
HAMMOND, La. – As we approach the end of fall and the beginning of winter, we may have oak leaves and pine needles lying around in our landscapes in abundance. What can we do with these products? How about using them for mulch in our landscape beds, around our trees and in our vegetable gardens? Sometimes leaf litter, pine straw and similar materials are called “Mother Nature’s mulch.”
Mulching is one of the landscape practices most home gardeners follow several times during the year. So let’s review the use of mulch in the landscape and how to properly apply it to achieve maximum benefit.
Mulching is a great sustainable landscape practice when done correctly.
A mulch layer around trees and shrubs as well as in planted beds and covering bare ground provides many benefits. In areas that are difficult to mow, irrigate or otherwise maintain, mulch replaces turf or groundcovers. It also serves a similar purpose in shady areas where many plants don’t grow well.
Benefits of mulching include:
– Organic mulch materials improve soil fertility as they decompose.
– Mulch buffers soil temperature, keeping soils warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
– Mulch helps maintain soil moisture by reducing evaporation. A layer of mulch also minimizes water needs for established plants.
– Fresh mulch inhibits weed germination and growth.
– Over time, many types of mulch improve soil aeration, structure and drainage.
– A mulch layer can inhibit certain plant diseases.
– Mulch around trees and shrubs (but not against the trunk) eases maintenance and reduces the likelihood of damage from string trimmers.
– Mulch gives planting beds a neat and uniform appearance, adding a contrast of color and texture that complements plantings.
Follow these tips when adding mulch to your landscape:
– For well-drained sites, apply a 2-inch to 3-inch layer (after settling) of mulch around trees, shrubs and bedding plants. If there are drainage problems, use a thinner layer. Coarse materials, such as pine nuggets, may be applied to a depth of 4 inches, but don’t allow mulch to accumulate more deeply. If mulch is already present, check the depth. Do not add mulch if there is a sufficient layer in place (2 inches to 3 inches).
– “Volcano mulching,” or mulch applied too deeply, hinders oxygen exchange to roots, which stresses the plant and causes root rot. Do not place mulch on top of a tree’s root ball or against the trunk. More than about 1 inch of mulch on the root ball of newly planted trees and shrubs can stress plants because mulch can intercept water meant for the roots.
– If mulch is piled against a tree trunk, pull it back several inches to uncover the base of the trunk and the root flare. Mulch piled against tree trunks holds moisture against the trunk and stems, and trunks that remain constantly wet are prone to root rot. Mulch piled high against the trunks of young trees also may create habitats for rodents that chew the bark and can girdle the trees.
– Mulch out to a tree’s drip line or beyond – at least an 8-foot diameter around the tree. Remember that in a forest environment, a tree’s entire root system (which usually extends well beyond the drip line) would be mulched naturally.
– Thick blankets of fine mulch can become matted and may prevent water and air from seeping through or become like potting soil and support weed growth. Rake old mulch to break up any matted layers and to refresh its appearance.
– Organic mulches may require weeding and replenishment once or twice a year to maintain a total depth of 2 inches to 3 inches.
– Shells, crushed stone or pebbles can be used as mulch, but they won’t contribute to the soil’s nutrient and organic content or water-holding capacity. Limestone and shells both raise soil pH, though, and they reflect heat, increasing the water needs of plants.
You can see more about work being done in landscape horticulture by viewing the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station website at www.lsuagcenter.com/hammond. Also, like us on Facebook by going to www.facebook.com and typing Hammond Research Station in the search box. You can find an abundance of landscape information for both home gardeners and industry professionals.

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