Using a blog to catalog problems seen at the help desk as a resource for Master Gardeners and the publicJane Morse, Extension AgentFlorida Cooperative Extension, Pinellas County, Largo, Florida 33774

Abstract Objectives: Our office recently began training Master Gardeners (MGs) to identify and diagnose problems and pests at our Lawn and Garden Help Desk. A new blog was initiated as a way to catalog all the problems and pests encountered at this help desk. This catalog will serve as a resource to be used by Master Gardeners and others to assist them with identifying and solving problems related to lawns, landscapes and home pests. Methods: After one year’s worth of samples are cataloged, it will be easier for MGs and others to see what problems normally occur during certain times of the year, to see pictures of actual samples, and have information about the sample provided. The blogs other intention is to help residents with their own lawn, garden and home pest problems, since the problems encountered at the help desk are also occurring real-time in the county. Results: Blog samples are automatically cataloged by month, day and year since October 2009. Conclusion: This blog is expected to assist MGs with identifying and diagnosing problems at the help desk, and to also help the public identify their own lawn, garden and home pest problems. Another bonus is that this blog will serve as a reservoir of information showing the differences in problems seen from year to year. This blog is located at: http://plantingpinellas.blogspot.com/ The member designs, maintains, and either reviews or writes the content.

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