The LSU AgCenter now is offering several of its highest-quality publications for sale through its online store.

The move is part of an effort to be able to continue offering expanded publications to clientele who prefer a printed format while also balancing the limited funds available for printing.

“We traditionally have offered most of our extension publications to the public free of charge,” said LSU AgCenter Vice Chancellor Paul Coreil. “But the tough economic times meant we had to look for ways to balance the money available for printing with the need to continue offering the highest quality publications.

“As a result, we decided to start charging a reasonable price for some of our most popular material,” he said, adding, “Doing so allows us to continue to update many of these publications on an annual basis and to offer the best possible information to the public in a high quality and timely fashion.”

Among the publications available for sale are:

• “A Guide to Louisiana-Friendly Landscaping.” This 88-page, full-color handbook provides helpful ideas, information and techniques to create and maintain a more environmentally friendly landscape. It includes basics of designing a landscape using carefully selected plants suited to Louisiana growing conditions. It sells for $12.

• “Louisiana Lawns Best Management Practices.” This 32-page, full-color handbook explains that a lawn that’s properly cared for and healthy will resist weeds and other pest problems. Following the best management practices (BMPs) outlined in this publication should help keep your lawn in good condition while maintaining environmental quality. It sells for $5.

• “Louisiana Home Vegetable Gardening.” This 120-page, full-color publication is designed to provide Louisiana vegetable gardeners with a comprehensive guidebook to help them get the most from their gardens. It provides a variety of color photos and illustrations in addition to a wealth of information on the state’s most popular vegetable crops. The guidebook also provides details on climatic conditions, our planting season, choosing a garden site, irrigation, fertilization, pest control and much more. It sells for $20.

• “Louisiana Home Citrus Production.” This 16-page guide includes recommended citrus varieties and descriptions; tips on site selection, planting, spacing and pruning; and images of citrus insect pests and common citrus diseases. It sells for $5.

Those are just a few examples of the publications available for sale. Others include such items as the annual Louisiana Plant Disease Management Guide, Louisiana Insect Pest Management Guide and Louisiana Suggested Chemical Weed Management Guide.

The LSU AgCenter’s online store is available by going to store.lsuagcenter.com. You also can visit by clicking the Online Store link at the top of the AgCenter’s home page on the Web at www.lsuagcenter.com. The publications available for sale also can be ordered by phoning (225) 578-2263.

Not all LSU AgCenter publications are being sold, however. Hundreds of free publications still are available through LSU AgCenter parish offices and on its Web site. Printed versions of those publications also can be ordered through the Publications section of the LSU AgCenter Web site at www.lsuagcenter.com or by phoning (225) 578-2263.