Amy K. Stone
Pamela J. Bennett
Barbara Bloetscher
Joseph F. Boggs
James A. Chatfield
Erik A. Draper
Gary Gao
Jane C. Martin
David J. Shetlar
Curtis E. Young
Randall H. Zondag
One hundred eighty-five respondents completed and returned the 2000 Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL) Survey. From their subscriptions to Buckeye Yard and Garden Line, information from BYGL is then further disseminated to more than 600,000 additional persons through radio programs, newspaper columns and articles, Master Gardeners, students, and other green-industry employees.
Of the survey respondents, 73% agreed that BYGL was useful to their job and business. The individuals who responded to the survey indicated that BYGL has had an estimated economic impact of $115,000.
The Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL) is one of the key ways through which Ohio State University Extension and the Extension Nursery Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT) provide ornamental plant and plant problem information to the green industry, Extension offices, and the general public. This article answers some questions about BYGL and provides the results of the 2000 BYGL Evaluation Survey.
The Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL) is a weekly horticultural update in the form of an electronic newsletter. It is written by Ohio State University Extension agents and specialists, from a conference call held every Tuesday from April-October. BYGL is funded by the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association and OSU Extension, with additional contributions from the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
BYGL is written for green-industry professionals, Extension agents, Master Gardener volunteers, and other horticulturists in Ohio and throughout the United States, especially the Midwest.
There are three ways to receive BYGL - by e-mail, by fax subscription, and by going directly on the World Wide Web. Here's how:
| Clark County Pam Bennett | 937-328-4607 |
| Clermont County Gary Gao | 513-732-7070 |
| Cuyahoga County Jack Kerrigan | 216-397-6000 |
| Franklin County Jane Martin | 614-462-6700 Ext 204 |
| Hamilton County Joe Boggs | 513-825-6000 Ext 14 |
| Lake County Randy Zondag | 440-350-2269 |
| Lucas County Amy Stone | 419-243-6684 |
| Montgomery County Pete Lane | 937-224-9654 |
| Putnam County Glen Arnold | 419-523-6294 |
Fax subscriptions have a fee ($35 a year) to cover phone-line costs. If you are a member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, or the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, this fee is waived as part of your membership benefits.
Reading time during the growing season comes at a premium, and that is why BYGL is formatted in short bytes (one to two paragraphs) of the most relevant information on a particular topic. The authors also strive for a lively, user-friendly, humorous style.
This is the World Wide Web version of BYGL, and it comes not only with the text of BYGL available, but also with hot links to color images of pests and plants referenced in the BYGL, and to more than 23,000 additional fact sheets from Ohio State University and other universities.
BYGLive! is a series of informal programs held at arboreta throughout Ohio on the first Monday of each month, from May-October. The participants have a chance to see plants and plant and pest development throughout the season, to do some diagnostic troubleshooting, and to provide observations and insights that will add to the BYGL. Sites for 2001 with key contacts are:
Total Number of Returns: 185
I. General Background Questions
II. BYGL Impact and Usefulness
1. BYGL was useful to my job and business:
SA = 89
A = 45
N = 14
D = 6
SD = 13
NA = 12
2. BYGL helped in answering client/customer questions:
SA = 75
A = 53
N = 16
D = 10
SD = 13
NA = 12
3. I (we) changed some horticultural practices based on information in BYGL.
SA = 30
A = 50
N = 49
D = 26
SD = 8
NA = 16
4. I (we) changed some pest management practices based on information in BYGL.
SA = 38
A = 45
N = 39
D = 23
SD = 14
NA = 20
5. BYGL has resulted in improved customer service in our company or business.
SA = 46
A = 55
N = 25
D = 19
SD = 9
NA = 27
1. Weather Information:
Did Not Use = 13
Not at All Useful = 10
Seldom Useful = 21
Sometimes Useful = 59
Often Useful = 46
Always Useful = 21
NA = 9
2. Plant Phenology and Development Updates:
Did Not Use = 3
Not at All Useful = 5
Seldom Useful = 15
Sometimes Useful = 47
Often Useful = 64
Always Useful = 35
NA = 10
3. Pest/Disease Identification:
Did Not Use = 0
Not at All Useful = 2
Seldom Useful = 6
Sometimes Useful = 11
Often Useful = 67
Always Useful = 84
NA = 9
4. Pest/Disease Management Basics:
Did Not Use = 0
Not at All Useful = 4
Seldom Useful = 8
Sometimes Useful = 22
Often Useful = 61
Always Useful = 75
NA = 9
5. Specific Pesticide Recommendations:
Did Not Use = 3
Not at All Useful = 6
Seldom Useful = 13
Sometimes Useful = 30
Often Useful = 57
Always Useful = 60
NA = 11
6. Alternatives to Pesticides:
Did Not Use = 7
Not at All Useful = 2
Seldom Useful = 15
Sometimes Useful = 36
Often Useful = 102
Always Useful = 59
NA = 9
7. Disease and Pest Resistant Plants:
Did Not Use = 4
Not at All Useful = 2
Seldom Useful = 11
Sometimes Useful = 34
Often Useful = 54
Always Useful = 64
NA = 12
8. Cultural Practices:
Did Not Use = 2
Not at All Useful = 6
Seldom Useful = 8
Sometimes Useful = 26
Often Useful = 59
Always Useful = 69
NA = 9
9. Turf Updates:
Did Not Use = 12
Not at All Useful = 8
Seldom Useful = 12
Sometimes Useful = 29
Often Useful = 60
Always Useful = 43
NA = 11
10. Nursery Notes:
Did Not Use = 11
Not at All Useful = 6
Seldom Useful = 19
Sometimes Useful = 40
Often Useful = 59
Always Useful = 35
NA = 10
Of the people who responded to our survey, we estimate that BYGL has had an economic impact of $115,000.
I have always found BYGL useful. Every season brings something new. Please keep the humor going!
I always read BYGL as soon as I get it. It is always full of useful information, and I appreciate the sense of humor. I look forward to it every week!
BYGL is invaluable to us here in the Allen County Extension Office. I make it a point to read the BYGL as soon as it comes over e-mail. We use and share the information gleaned from the BYGL with Master Gardeners and with clientele.
This is a super service. There is always plenty of detail along with real life experiences. Keep up the great work and keep it coming my way!
This has become an extremely valuable format for our industry. Our retail garden center uses this information to keep our staff updated, and they in turn keep our customers up on the proper use, and many times, non-use, of pesticides. Keep up the great work!
Great reading, informative, entertaining and right on target with the information which is needed. Thanks again for another wonderful season of knowledge.
There is something of use to me and to our business every week in BYGL. Very much appreciated.
We count on this weekly information to use during talks, training sessions, TV spots, radio, newsletters, and newspapers. Keep it coming. We're addicted to it - have to have it. BYGL Junkie
Continue the humor amid the great usable information.
The Plant/Pest Fax has proved extremely useful to us again this year. The benefits are many, but I will mention only a few. It keeps us on the lookout for pests that could become a problem with the weather we are experiencing, and for pests we don't yet have, but are problems in neighboring areas. It keeps us updated on the latest news on pesticides and pest management practices. It informs us of special meetings and events. We are sorry to be out of range for the radio broadcast - it sounds great! The lightheartedness and humor of the writers make the information amusing. I highlight things relevant to our organization so other employees can skim quickly to information they can use. If the bold headings were "just the facts" it would save us some time. Time, as you know is precious in spring and summer. Thank you again for your heart and insight in the green industry. - Stacy Butterfield The Way Int'l. Many times we will have customers come in with a particular problem, and we have just read about it in BYGL. Knowing what's appearing in other parts of the state is so important. . . it may not be long before the problem is yours! All of our employees enjoy the information and the end result is better customer service. That's what we're here for!
We always enjoy receiving BYGL to stay up to date on a wide range of topics. It greatly helps us to know what is occurring in the "field" so that we know what we need to look for or expect...particular to that time of the season.
I found BYGL to be very useful and usually entertaining. If someone asked me about a particular problem they were having with a plant, I would almost always turn to the BYGL first to see if what they are describing was included in the current issue. If it was not in the current issue, I would search the BYGL online and see what I could find there.
Your turf updates are very helpful and informative.
We looked forward to receiving our faxes. Some weeks, it was a race to see who got it first and could quiz the other people on what they knew or saw.
Your info has made my program a lot more credible as I share with 125,000 listeners. The more the ratings go up, the more valuable the program. All of you do a fantastic job for our industry. Thank you very much and please continue this outstanding service.