Technology in the GardenUsing QR Codes to Market Your Demo Landscape

Emily E. Eubanks, UF/IFAS Communications Coordinator

Technology in the Garden

• Videos• Audio Tours• Apps• QR Codes

QR Codes Basics

• QR codes (short for Quick Response) are barcodes that can be read by mobile phone (smartphone) cameras.

• A QR Code is unique to a webpage.

QR Codes in the Garden

• Give specific site/plant information on the spot

• Quick access• Bookmark sites• Provide consumer driven technology at their

fingertips• Used by retailers and public gardens

Home Depot

Longwood Gardens

State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Primary Extension Methods for Teaching Basic Plant Info

• In person– One on one– Lecture

• Very hands-on• Handouts• Websites/Videos

Primary Extension Methods for Teaching Basic Plant Info

• Pros– Personalized info– People like it

• Cons– Very time consuming– Can’t answer everyone’s questions– Miss people who wander through gardens and

don’t ask questions

What Do Visitors Want to Know From a Demo Garden?

• What’s the name of this plant?• Can I grow it in my yard?• What kind of care does it need?• What other plants go well with it?• Where do I get more info?

Traditional Plant Signs

Moving to an Online Format in the Garden

• Pros– Consistency across the state on the content

received– Easily updated– Can be used as a self-teaching device

• Cons– Visitors tend to be an older population with

barriers to technology

Extension Demonstration Gardens

• Cooperative Extension Service use demonstration gardens as teaching tools

• Usually maintained by Master Gardeners• Significant variety of gardens– Themed– Indoor– Location specific– Plant type specific

Florida Extension Demo Gardens

• 66 documented demonstration gardens in Florida

• Maintained by Master Gardeners• Located at extension offices, schools, fire

stations, libraries, etc.• Four seasons of gardening – constant

maintenance and visitation • And, constant gardening questions

Audience – Super Users

• Master Gardeners– Mostly over 55– Sometimes have smart

phones– Somewhat computer

literate– Lots of horticulture

knowledge

• 4-H Volunteers & Youth– Youth ages 8-18– Volunteers all ages– Usually have smart

phones– Somewhat computer

literate– No prior horticulture

knowledge

General Audience

• Everyone else who visits Extension office or demo garden– County commissioners– Lecture attendees– Quick stop ins– Plant clinic visitors– General public

Straughn Professional Development Extension Center

• Opened January 2012• 1st Extension demo

landscape on UF campus

• Demonstrates 9 Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principles

• Two intro signs, interpretative signage, and plant signs

Timeline• 2011 – developed Extension demonstration garden

landscape plan and installation for Straughn Center, plans for signage but no money

• December 23, 2011 – met about grand opening of Straughn Center, initial request of indoor plants, realized they really wanted signage

• January 4, 2012 – started on signage and QR codes, realized it would be closer to 80 QR codes

• January 11, 2012 – installation of signs and QR codes• January 12, 2012 – grand opening of Straughn Center

Development

• Communications Coordinator worked on content• Web Coordinator worked on QR code and website

development– After research, realized our current site is not mobile

friendly and would need a mobile friendly site in addition to full site about landscape

– Built on JQuery Mobile Framework

Welcome Sign

Plant Info

• Shrubs• Trees• Groundcovers• Grasses • Perennials

Plant Info

Demo Area Signs

• Create a Wildlife Habitat

• Use Microirrigation• Build a Rain Garden• Use a Compost Bin• What is a QR Code?

Mobile Site

Full Site

Uses for QR Codes in the Garden

• Individual sites – Direct to Extension office site

• Podcasts – Audio tours, verbal info, stories about the garden,

children’s book readings, etc.

• Evaluation – Pre- and post-test of garden

• Picture submission – Garden photo contest

Uses for QR Codes in the Garden• Email– Send questions directly to MG Help Desk

• Google Maps– Check in or mark on Google Maps

• Twitter hashtag– Develop a trending hashtag about the garden

• Facebook page– Encourage people to like and interact

• Meet Your MGs– Bios of garden caretakers

Downsides

• Low awareness of QR codes• Limited technology• QR code might direct users to a website that

does not display properly on a cell phone• Appropriate and effective pedagogical uses of

QR codes

Future

• In-service training for horticulture agents, MG coordinators, and Master Gardeners

• Serve as a resource for county faculty developing their signage