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GardenData.org is a new virtual garden adviser that was developed to provide
gardeners and consumers with a reliable source of updated horticultural
information.
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By Laura Skillman
PRINCETON, Ky., (Dec. 8, 2005) – Ever have a gardening question that you can’t
seem to find the answer to? Or maybe you find an answer but it’s not pertinent
to Kentucky.
A new, interactive Web site developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative
Extension Service – GardenData.org – may be just for you.
The new virtual garden adviser was developed to provide gardeners and consumers
with a reliable source of updated horticultural information. The idea originated
with Extension agents in western Kentucky who wanted quick, easy access to
horticulture information, said Rick Durham, UK consumer horticulturalist and
GardenData committee chairman.
About 1,200 commonly asked questions pertaining to all areas of horticulture are
on the site. Information on flowers, fruits, trees and shrubs, houseplants,
vegetables, turfgrass, watergardening and more is only a click away. Many of the
answers on the site also list publications available for further information on
the topic, Durham said.
The site is intended to complement the information clients already are receiving
from their local Extension office, he said.
In Hardin County, horticulture agent Amy Aldenderfer said she thinks it will be
an asset for volunteers working in the Extension office. It will allow them to
access information when agents aren’t available and pass it on to clientele.
“I think it will increase the exposure of the Extension service and UK,” she
said.
Durham said they were able to piggyback onto technology already being used by
UK’s HorseQuest Web site, which helped to get GardenData operational more
quickly and cost effectively. It has taken about one and a half years for
GardenData to go from concept to reality.
If a gardener can’t find the answer to a question at GardenData.org, new
questions can be asked as well. These are sent to one of about a dozen
specialists in areas such as horticulture, forestry, plant pathology, entomology
and more. In addition, several county horticulture agents also will be
responding to new questions.
The question is forwarded to the appropriate specialist, and consumers can
expect an answer within three days, Durham said.
Each new question then goes through a review process to see if it should be
added to the frequently asked questions list or if it may need to be modified.
Winter may be upon us, but there’s no reason for gardens not go ahead and use
the site in preparation for spring. Browsing the site may give the gardener an
answer to what’s been plaguing their strawberries, tomatoes or lawn, and they’ll
be ready to combat it next year, Durham said.
Writer:
Laura Skillman
270-365-7541 ext. 278
Contact: Rick
Durham, 859-257-3249
Amy Aldenderfer, 270-765-4121
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