Words to GREAUX by

THE PEGGY MARTIN ROSE: A LOUISIANA SUPER PLANT FOR 2023

Let’s plant a spring vegetable garden!

Vegetable gardeners throughout the region are preparing for the spring summer growing season. A lot of folks within the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area find themselves waiting until Good Friday (Friday, April 7, 2023) to get their spring vegetable garden planted. At the LSU AgCenter, we recommend planting on or after March 15 for southern Louisiana gardens (April 1 for our northern counterparts). The chance of a frost is greatly reduced after March 15. However, that doesn’t mean that it never happens. Look at what happened last week! Check local weather reports and extended forecasts for information on late season frosts. Ultimately, planting early is essential for natural and organic production systems. Be ready to cover tender transplants in case a late spring frost decides to come out way.

Where do I put my vegetable garden?

Access to direct contact sunlight is a must for vegetable garden plants. These plants need sunlight to drive photosynthesis and create much needed energy so that they are productive and provide good yields. Surface and internal drainage are also important for optimum vegetable production. Puddles that remain for days after an extended rain event are an indicator of poor drainage. Avoid sites with poor drainage or start doing things to improve drainage such as utilizing drainage swales, strategically placed trenches, or increasing the grade by adding soil. The last thing to consider when finding a location for the vegetable garden is to have it close by. Gardens placed at the back of the lot will often get overlooked and forgotten. Keep the garden close to the action so that its easy to do garden tasks. Satisfy these three requirements and watch your garden become more and more productive as you gain more experience growing food at home.

What do I plant on my vegetable garden?

Now is the time to prepare a warm season vegetable garden, the most popular veggie garden season. Some of the typical crops include bell peppers, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, hot peppers, southern peas, specialty peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, and watermelon. For more information on vegetable gardening, planting dates, and recommended varieties check out the Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide, Pub. 1980 from www.LSUAgCenter.com/.

How do I fertilize my vegetable garden?

Plants receive nutrition through root uptake of elements and minerals from the surrounding soil. Existing in-ground gardens should be soil tested early in the year to determine current soil pH and nutrient levels. The ideal situation for all in-ground vegetable gardens is to have “High” and “Very High” levels of each nutrient listed on the soil test report. The concept behind a basic fertilizer program is to provide nutrients that are found to be deficient. Both conventional and organic sources are available for each of the common nutrients needed by plants for normal growth and development.

Containerized vegetable gardens are treated slightly different. Potting soils and bulk garden soils are somewhat different that native topsoil found out in the yard. Native topsoil (real soil) is made from the weathering of parent material and bedrock. This provides certain nutrients depending on where the soil originated. In potting soils and bulk garden soils, a mixture if various organic components are put together so that they have similar physical characteristics of topsoil. Some topsoil products like Miracle-Gro Garden Soil include a fertilizer in the mix. Read the product labels to determine if this is the case. Use a complete fertilizer at the labeled rate for potting soils with no initial fertilizer input.

How do I control weeds in my vegetable garden?

Weeds drive a lot of gardeners mad. Plan a weed control program during the initial planning of the vegetable garden. The first layer of weed control starts with the proper spacing of plants in the garden. Second layer of control should be addressed using a mulch to cover bare ground. Scouting the garden every few days and physically removing weeds as they appear is a third layer of control. Lastly, herbicide options are available. Pre-emergent herbicides are applied to control weeds as they germinate. Post-emergent herbicides are used to control weeds that are currently growing. You will find selective post-emergent products that can be sprayed over-the-top of vegetable plants to control certain types of weeds. Organic options are available as well. Make to read and follow the product label before applying any type of herbicide.

Gia Marsh is a Belle Chasse Academy Little Gardener and recently learned about the antioxidants in dark colored vegetables like the garden purple carrots. These were grown in the school’s

Belle Chasse Academy competed in their first Aerial Drone Competition. The competition was held in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and included middle schools and high schools from Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. BCA participated in piloting teamwork matches, autonomous flight skills, and a team interview.

7th grader Sarah Blair was working on creating a model that shows ideal conditions for a mudslide in preparation of a research project about the impact that natural/ manmade disasters have on the earth.

Belle Chasse Academy recently celebrated National School Breakfast Week. Thank you to all of the hardworking cafeteria staff who give students a great start to their day!

The New Orleans Saints have had a bumpy road to the Super Bowl since 2009. The biggest culprits were the “No Call” against the Rams a few years ago and their near miss against Minnesota around the same period. But in Derrick Carr they have an underutilized player with a solid NFL pedigree that may not make Who Dats forget Drew Brees but at least make the reality palatable.

My biggest gripe against Sean Payton was his almost fanatic way of ignoring college quarterbacks as long as Number Nine was wearing the Black and Gold. Payton took a chance on the injured Purdue quarterback when Brees was on his way out of Miami and the rest built and solidified Peyton’s reputation as a quarterback guru/coach. But it was always Just Brees in New Orleans. No other person standing behind the center ever really had a chance to be The Man when Drew drew the attention of defenses for more than a decade.

The Saints also re-signed Michael Thomas, who will never remind fans of players allegedly more loyal to the Saints. Maybe Thomas’s injuries were part prima donna but maybe they were something else. At this point, who cares? The NFL South has taken a huge hit at quarterback the past season and offseason and the Saints are in an enviable position to move back into the forefront of the division at the offense’s most important position.

New Orleans also addressed a few situations at defensive tackle and hybrid with trades and the dealing may not be done. Will the Saints be a Super Bowl contender in 2023? That is a question for the late summer and fall. But in securing a happy-to-be-in-New-Orleans Derrick Carr, they have a vehicle that has the horsepower to return them to the playoffs and make them a scary, possibly feared team once again.

For now, the quarterback situation is settled. There will be little or no Swiss Army Knife, no oft-injured Jameis Winston or the relatively efficient but not inspirational Andy Dalton to talk about. Whether gas or electric, New Orleans has a brand-new Carr and whether it will be a sedan, sports two-seater or a turbo two-door is to be determined in coming months. Now the Saints can shift their focus to other areas of improvement for the immediate future and Saint fans can return to the Dome knowing that someone behind center has the resume’ to pull games out of the fire similar to Drew Brees. Carr won’t approach Bree’s prolific yardage and completed passes records but he will be more than a cypher in the Saints record books in ten years.

Don’t forget, you are invited to check out our sports only podcast. You can find us online under https:// anchor.fm/flablete or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or may other platforms. As always, if you have an idea or certain people/teams you would like us to cover or if you just have a question… please shoot us an email at flablete@gmail.com

1st grade student Derrick Cook

1st grade students Abigail Hovey and Erik Grand

D.C. CEMENT Work & Home Repair. Driveways, Patios, Form Digging & Pouring. Free estimates. Licensed & Bonded. Call 507-358-0551 dougc8322@gmail.com

BUY DIRECT FROM PIT Mason Sand, Fill Sand

228-860-7907

228-832-1215

WE BUY DAMAGED or WRECKED CARS! ALEMAN AUTO SALES, Pearl River, Call 985-863-2803.

GOT $1,500? We’ve got a good car for you. Kelle, 228-223-1270.

DIRT DELIVERED & spread. Fill dirt, limestone, sand, crushed concrete. Call 228-861-0818.

DIRT DELIVERED & spread. Fill dirt, limestone, sand, crushed concrete. Call 228-861-0818.

CASH PAID - Boats, motors and trailers, Running or not. 228-596-9582 or 228-806-9382.

LEAKY ROOF? Roof repair? I’m your man. Fast and affordable. 25 years experience. Free estimates. Call 601-2154731 or 228-563-0929.

HANDYMAN SERVICE , Fix anything! Storm damage, rot & termite repair. Plumbing & electrical fixtures appliance installation. 39 years experience. Senior discount. Call Lloyd 985-335-2256.

D.C. CEMENT Work & Home Repair. Driveways, Patios, Form Digging & Pouring. Free estimates. Licensed & Bonded. Call 507358-0551 dougc8322@ gmail.com

LOT IN Bayside Park Subdivision, Bay St. Louis, MS. $3,900. Owner financing. Call 228-861-7290.

FOR SALE: 165 Williams Avenue, Buras, LA. Only $123,000. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, well-maintained home. All ceramic flooring, large kitchen, 1/3 acre lot (168x100). Call 504-931-1918.

LAND FOR SALE in Alton, LA. Lot size 50’x100’. No debris, has water & sewage hook-up. Location: off 3rd Ave to 11th St. on the left. Asking price $8,500. Only serious need to call 985-250-9039.

Apartments

2 SLIDELL LOCATIONS

Close to best school districts. SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT! 2BD/1BA

$750/monthly. Security deposit $750. No pets. ....2BR/1.5BA complete kitchen + W/D. Private covered patios. $800/ monthly. Security deposit $800. Call 504-421-2359.

APARTMENT/HOUSE

RENTAL in Gulfport, MS.

2,3,4,5 bedrooms, Price range $550 - $950. Call 228-867-8811.

2 BEDROOM APARTMENT $950 per month. Deposit $750. All utilities included. 7004 Rose Farm Rd. Ocean Springs, MS. Call 228-381-0053.

2100 SQ.FT. HOME: 5BR, 2 1/2 BA, 13,000 sq.ft. garage, 16’ high ceiling, zoned residential commercial near VA off Pass Road. For sale or rent. Call 228-313-3309.

CAMPERS FOR RENT at Martin Lake Resort. Price range $740 - $790 per month. Utilities included. Resort amenities include lake, fishing, pool, jacuzzi, putt-putt golf and an amazing playground! For more information, call Martin Lake Resort Office 228-875-9157 and ask for Stacey.

BELLE CHASSE, LA house, 4BR, 2BA, 2 car garage. $1600/mo. Call 504-394-4440.

LOT FOR SALE - Lot for sale on River Rd. in Boothville. Approximately 200 wide X 1000 long. Property cleared and ready to move on. $65,000 FIRM. Call Stanley at 504-427-1277.

By Paula Johnson

Hi, Everyone! email me! PaulaJ3036@gmail.com

I just love the feel of the cooler temperatures,it is so refreshing. I was really thinking we were done with chilly nights since we had been having temperatures in the 70s and 80s. I am loving these cooler days as long as they last. Just not ready for those 90 and 100 degree temperatures, and the start of hurricane season.

With Spring and Easter just around the corner I decided to get into the mood. Although these bunnies and not necessarily Easter bunnies. These bunnies can be displayed for Valentines Day, Easter, and all thru Spring and maybe even summer. We all like a nice latte every once in a while and a snack to go with it. My bunnies have the latte and a nice carrot to go along as a snack. That carrot can be replaced with a cookie, an ice cream, or anything you like. Don’t like the brown bunnies, change the color to white or gray. Change the color of the background and the cup itself. You can even change the wording. I plan on painting a few more of these with the changes I just listed. Yes, I do plan on using this for Easter and on thru Summer. I really like the background of this piece. I would be happy to paint one of these for you, just send me an email.

Well, that’s it for this time. What will your next project be? Mine.....I see lots of fun ahead painting Easter! Sincerely, Paula Johnson

PURCHASE OR RENT to own mobile home for sale. Caesar/Necaise Road in North Picayune area. 4BR, 2BA on 2 acres. $750/month. Call Vicky 228-297-0047 or Ed 228-341-0054.

FURNISHED STUDIO

Apartment, close to beach. All utilities included. $750 a month. $500 deposit. Call 228-346-4454.

4BR, 2BA Doublewide trailer, 37536 Howard O’Berry Road Extension. $1200/ month, $1200/deposit. 1 year lease. No pets! Call 504-621-0097.

WE BUY MOBILE HOMES. Call 228-3922975.

FOR RENT: Large stucco building with attached apartment on Hwy 53 in Lizana, MS area. $950/ month, $950 deposit for unit (part of 4 building complex) near Fazzio’s. Call Vicky 228-297-0047 or Ed 228-341-0054.

CORNER LOT FOR SALE O/A 23K, Jeff Parish, LA.100x57, corner of Highland Meadows Dr. and Still Meadows Ct. Call Spencer 504-6507940.

LOOKING FOR a quiet, small house in Pearl River area. I’m an older man, a photographer, here to photograph the nearby wetlands. A one year lease to begin. Thanks. Call Richard at 717-645-8447.

LOT FOR SALE in Ocean Springs, MS. 13305 Soloman Road. Call owner for details: 228-381-0053.

ROOMS FOR RENT in Gulfport.$496 & $595. All utilities included. $100 deposit. Call 228-3132663.

FOR SALE: 4 building stucco complex on 1.3 acres Highway 53 frontage near Lizana, MS. Zoned residential and commercial with three of the buildings generating income ($2,600/ month) as occupied businesses. 4th building has attached apartment and can be owner occupied or rented for $950/month. Want $225,000, extremely low taxes. Great passive income. Call Vicky 228-297-0047 or Ed 228341-0054.

‘10 FORD FUSION super clean, reliable transportation, looks good, $6,200. Full tank of gas with your purchase! Call 228-4241589.

ONE CALL, we haul. Cash for junk cars, broken down or drivable. Free towing! Call 228235-7342.

FIBERGLASS PRODUCT

REPAIR - Boats, tubs, vehicle bodies, work buckets and more. 40+ years experience. Mississippi Gulf Coast, 228-284-2804.

BUY DIRECT FROM PIT Mason Sand, Fill Sand 228-860-7907 228-832-1215

2014s, 2015s, 2016s Toyotas, Nissans, Kias and Hyundais. Low mileage, factory warranty. Priced to sell! Chuck Ryan Cars, Long Beach 228-8649706.

CASH PAID - Outboard motors, Running or not. 228-596-9582 or 228806-9382.

WE BUY junk cars. Call 228-313-7445.

CHUCK RYAN CARS, Long Beach. Habla Espanol. Su trabahos es su credito Gracias por su negotio! 228-864-9706.

‘07 BMW 328i, 6-speed manual, good reliable vehicle, $6,500. Full tank of gas with your purchase! Call 228-424-1589.

1994 HONDA PASSPORT, 4WD, big 6Cyl, was running but needed water pump. Have extra parts. Windshield cracked. Call 302981-0510 (Slidell)

‘08 SATURN VUE XR V6, like new, super clean, 64K miles, $6,800. Full tank of gas with your purchase! Call 228-424-1589.

CHUCK RYAN CARS, Long Beach. Good cars and trucks starting at $3,995. We finance. 228-864-9706.

WE BUY DAMAGED or WRECKED CARS! ALEMAN AUTO SALES, Pearl River, Call 985-863-2803.

‘02 CHEVY AVALANCHE, V8, looks good, drives better, automatic, $3,800. Full tank of gas with your purchase! Call228-4241589.

120 CARS, Trucks, Vans and SUVs to choose from. Same corner for 41 years. Chuck Ryan Cars, Long Beach 228-864-9706.

FIBERGLASS & GEL Coat repair specialist. Call 228363-1988.

CHUCK RYAN CARS. Long Beach. 100 cars and trucks on our website with lots of pictures. Check out our inventory at chuckryancars.com. 228-864-9706.

‘13 HARLEY DAVIDSON Road King, great shape, $9000. Text me at 228323-0849.

CASH PAID - Outboard motors, Running or not. 228-596-9582 or 228806-9382.

GOT $1,500? We’ve got a good car for you. Kelle, 228-223-1270.

2012 FORD FOCUS SEL Loaed, leather seats, new tires, power sunroof, $5,800. Full tank of gas with your purchase! Call 228-424-1589.

20 CARS and TRUCKS to sell wholesale for cash. Most need some fixing up, Dealers welcome. Chuck, 228-596-3121.

CASH PAID - Boats, motors and trailers, Running or not. 228-596-9582 or 228-806-9382.

TOYOTA, CHEVY, Nissan, Ford trucks and SUVs. 30 to choose from, we finance! Chuck Ryan Cars, Long Beach 228-864-9706.

ENCANCHES MAS bajos en Chuck Ryan Cars en Long Beach. 100 carros y trocas. Aabrimos temprano y cerramos tarde. Financiamos! Habla Espanol Freeman, 228-697-8259.

1978 CADILLAC El Dorado Biarritz for sale. Excellent condition. $8,500. Call 985-960-6907.

1988 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500 Series, 4WD Diesel 6.2, good drive train, all glass good, make offer. Call 302-981-0510 (Slidell)

CASH PAID - Boats, motors and trailers, Running or not. 228-596-9582 or 228-806-9382.