By: Mandy Hatman

The holiday season brings cheer and beautiful decorations, but some of these seasonal plants can pose serious health risks to our pets. As you deck the halls, keep an eye out for these common holiday plants that are best kept out of reach from curious paws.

Poinsettia
Known for its vibrant red leaves, the poinsettia is often associated with Christmas. While not highly toxic, poinsettias can cause mild stomach upset, drooling, or vomiting in pets ho nibble on their leaves. Keep these cheerful plants out of reach to avoid discomfort.

Mistletoe
Traditional mistletoe may add charm to your holiday decor, but it’s best kept far away from pets. Both American and European mistletoe varieties contain substances that can lead to gastrointestinal upset, a drop in blood pressure, and even heart problems if consumed in large amounts.

Holly 
Holly leaves and berries bring festive cheer, but they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy in pets. Pets tend to be curious, so it’s best to use artificial holly or place live plants high up and out of reach.

Christmas Tree (Pine Needles)
While the tree itself isn’t highly toxic, pine needles can cause gastrointestinal irritation if ingested and may lead to blockages. Try to keep fallen needles swept up to prevent ingestion and consider securing the tree to prevent climbing pets from toppling it over.

​Amaryllis
A favorite holiday flower, amaryllis bulbs contain toxins that can cause abdominal pain, drooling, and tremors. Keep potted amaryllis away from pets to ensure they’re safe during the holidays.

 By: Mandy Hatman

​As the vibrant colors of summer fade into the warm hues of autumn, many gardeners in Louisiana might think the time for pollinators has passed. However, fall is a crucial season for many beneficial insects, and our gardens can play a vital role in supporting them.

Why Late Season Pollinators Matter
Many species remain active well into the fall, and some are just reaching their peak. These industrious insects are essential for:

• Pollinating late-blooming plants
• Building up energy reserves for winter
• Laying eggs that will become next year's pollinators

Louisiana's Autumn Pollinators

• Bees: While honeybees are less active, many native bee species are still hard at work. Look for bumblebees, sweat bees, and mason bees.
• Butterflies: The iconic Monarch butterfly migrates through Louisiana in the fall. You might also spot Gulf Fritillaries and Cloudless Sulphurs.
• Moths: Often overlooked, moths are important nighttime pollinators. The Luna moth and various sphinx moths are active in autumn.
• Flies: Yes, flies! Hoverflies are excellent pollinators and remain active in cooler weather.

Plants That Support Late Season Pollinators
To help these beneficial insects, include these native Louisiana plants in your garden:

• Goldenrod (Solidago sp.): A favorite of many bee species
• Asters (Symphyotrichum sp.): Attract butterflies and bees
• Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum): Loved by butterflies
• Ironweed (Vernonia sp.): Attracts a variety of pollinators
• Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum): A butterfly magnet

Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Fall Garden

• Provide a Water Source: A shallow dish with pebbles makes a perfect insect drinking station.
• Avoid Pesticides: These can harm beneficial insects. Use organic pest control methods instead.
• Leave the Leaves: Many pollinators overwinter in leaf litter. Leave some areas of your garden "messy" for their benefit.
• Provide Shelter: Leave hollow stems standing and create brush piles for overwintering insects.
• Plant in Clusters: Groups of the same plant make it easier for pollinators to find and feed efficiently.

By supporting late season pollinators, we not only help these crucial insects survive the winter but also ensure a healthy start for our gardens come spring. So this fall, as you're preparing your garden for winter, remember to leave a little something for our tiny, hardworking friends. Your spring garden will thank you!

By: Mandy Hatman

Louisiana's diverse ecosystems offer a bounty of edible wild plants, especially in the fall. However, foraging requires knowledge, caution, and respect for nature. This guide will introduce you to some common edible plants found in Louisiana during autumn, along with important safety considerations.

Safety First: The Golden Rules of Foraging

• Never eat a plant you cannot identify with 100% certainty.
• Learn to identify toxic look-alikes before foraging.
• Forage only in areas free from pesticides and pollutants.
• Harvest sustainably - never take more than you need.
• Be aware of local regulations regarding foraging on public lands.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Always obtain permission before foraging on private property.
• In state parks, foraging is generally limited to berries, fruits, and mushrooms for personal consumption.
• Respect the environment - leave no trace and avoid damaging plants.

Common Edible Plants in Louisiana's Fall
​
Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana)
Identification: Look for orange, golf ball-sized fruits on trees with dark, blocky bark.
Harvest: Fruits are ripe when they're soft and fall easily from the tree.
Use: Eat raw, or use in puddings, breads, or jams. Unripe fruits are extremely astringent.

Muscadines (Vitis rotundifolia)
Identification: Wild grape with thick skins and large seeds. Look for vines
climbing trees.
Harvest: Ripe fruits are dark purple to black and come off the vine easily.
Use: Eat fresh, or use for jams, jellies, and wines.

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis)
Identification: Large trees with compound leaves. Nuts have a distinctive shape
and fall in autumn.
Harvest: Collect fallen nuts from the ground.
Use: Eat raw, roasted, or use in baking.

Beautyberries (Callicarpa americana)
Identification: Shrubs with clusters of bright purple berries along the stems.
Harvest: Berries are ripe in late summer through fall.
Use: Best used for jams or jellies, not typically eaten raw.

Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Identification: Low-growing plant with small white flowers and oval leaves.
Harvest: Collect young leaves and stems in cool weather.
Use: Add to salads or use as a cooked green.

Caution: Toxic Look-alikes

• Pokeweed berries resemble grapes but are toxic.
• Some wild cherry leaves can be toxic when wilted.
• Death cap mushrooms can be mistaken for edible varieties.

Always consult multiple reliable sources and consider taking a class or foraging with an expert before venturing out on your own.

Remember, foraging is not just about free food - it's an opportunity to connect with nature, learn about local ecosystems, and participate in a time-honored tradition. Happy and safe foraging!

By: Mandy Hatman

As autumn leaves blanket Louisiana's landscapes, gardeners have a golden opportunity - quite literally. Those fallen leaves are not yard waste, but the beginning of "black gold" for your garden: compost.

The Benefits of Composting

• Enriches soil: Adds nutrients and improves soil structure
• Reduces waste: Keeps organic matter out of landfills
• Saves money: Reduces need for commercial fertilizers and soil amendments
• Environmentally friendly: Reduces methane emissions from landfills

Getting Started: Compost Basics

• Choose Your Method
  • Pile Method: Simple and free, but slower
  • Bin System: Contained and neater, can be homemade or store-bought
  • Tumbler: Fastest decomposition, but more expensive
• Location, Location, Location
  • Choose a spot that is:
    • Convenient to access and at least partially shaded
    • Well-drained
    • Away from wooden structures (to avoid attracting termites)

The Art of Layering: Building Your Compost Pile
Composting is all about balance. You need a mix of:

• Browns (carbon-rich materials): Fall leaves, straw, paper
• Greens (nitrogen-rich materials): Fresh grass clippings, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds

The Perfect Recipe

• Aim for a ratio of about 3-parts browns to 1-part greens
• Start with a layer of coarse browns for drainage and alternate layers of browns and greens
• Moisten each layer as you go
• Add a handful of soil between layers to introduce microorganisms

What to Compost

• DO Compost:
  • Leaves
  • Grass clippings
  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Eggshells
  • Shredded newspaper
• ​DO NOT Compost:
  • Meat or dairy products
  • Diseased plants
  • Weeds with seeds
  • Pet waste
  • Chemically treated wood products

Maintaining Your Compost

• Keep it moist, like a wrung-out sponge and turn it every few weeks to aerate
• Monitor temperature: A warm pile is an active pile

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Smelly pile: Too wet or too many greens. Add browns and turn.
• Not decomposing: Too dry or not enough greens. Moisten and add greens.
• Attracting pests: Likely due to meat or dairy. Remove and cover with browns.

Using Your Compost

• Compost is ready when it is dark, crumbly, and smells earthy. Use it to:
  • Amend garden soil
  • Top-dress lawns
  • Mix into potting soil
  • Make "compost tea" for liquid fertilizer

By composting your fall leaves, you're not just cleaning up your yard - you're creating a valuable resource for your garden. It's a simple way to reduce waste, save money, and give back to the earth. So this autumn, don't bag those leaves - compost them!