Maine Home Garden News Recipient Survey October 2014

In an effort to present the most useful information to you as a home gardener, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension would appreciate your input as a reader and user of the monthly newsletter, the Maine Home Garden News.

Be frank and honest in responding to the statements and questions. Your responses will be handled confidentially. All responses will be compiled as an overview of the effectiveness of this newsletter and Cooperative Extension in Maine.

Thank You,
Richard Brzozowski
Extension Educator
Editor, Maine Home Garden News
University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Question Title

* 1. Which of the options below best describes you as a gardener?

I am not a gardener.

I am a beginner gardener with less than 2 years of experience.

I have between 2 and 5 years of gardening experience.

I have between 5 and 10 years of gardening experience.

I have between 10 and 20 years of gardening experience.

I have over 20 years of gardening experience.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. How often did you read the Maine Home Garden News in 2014? Select the option that best reflects your experience.

I read the Maine Home Garden News every month offered (March through October).

I read the Maine Home Garden News once in a while (not every month).

I hardly ever read the Maine Home Garden News.

I never read the Maine Home Garden News.

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* 3. In general, how useful was the Maine Home Garden News to you in 2014?

Not useful

Somewhat useful

Very useful

Other (please specify)

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* 4. What parts of the Maine Home Garden News do you typically find of interest? Please respond to each option presented.

	Yes	No
It is the month to . . .	It is the month to . . . Yes	It is the month to . . . No
Timely horticulture articles	Timely horticulture articles Yes	Timely horticulture articles No
Food, nutrition and preservation-related articles	Food, nutrition and preservation-related articles Yes	Food, nutrition and preservation-related articles No
Master Gardener project profiles from around the state	Master Gardener project profiles from around the state Yes	Master Gardener project profiles from around the state No

Other (please specify)

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* 5. From your point of view, how can the Maine Home Garden News be improved? Be brief, yet specific.

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* 6. In what aspects of gardening were you involved in 2014? Mark all that apply.

berries and small fruit

tree fruit

vegetables

herbs

flowers

ornamental shrubs & trees

lawn care

grains

food preservation

composting

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Please indicate the changes you have made to your gardening or landscape practices as a result of the newsletter, consultations with UMaine Extension staff or attendance at UMaine Extension programs/events.

	Yes	No
Expanded garden area	Expanded garden area Yes	Expanded garden area No
Extended the growing season	Extended the growing season Yes	Extended the growing season No
Improved efficiency	Improved efficiency Yes	Improved efficiency No
Increased yields	Increased yields Yes	Increased yields No
Started a new garden	Started a new garden Yes	Started a new garden No
Increased consumption of foods produced from my own garden	Increased consumption of foods produced from my own garden Yes	Increased consumption of foods produced from my own garden No
Preserved more produce (canning, freezing, drying)	Preserved more produce (canning, freezing, drying) Yes	Preserved more produce (canning, freezing, drying) No
Built or improved my root cellar	Built or improved my root cellar Yes	Built or improved my root cellar No
Increased consumption of foods produced by local farms	Increased consumption of foods produced by local farms Yes	Increased consumption of foods produced by local farms No

Question Title

* 8. Please indicate what changes you have made in your vegetable, fruit, or ornamental gardens.

	Yes	No
Adopted techniques to improve soil quality	Adopted techniques to improve soil quality Yes	Adopted techniques to improve soil quality No
Utilize UMaine Extension to identify pest problems and determining management strategies	Utilize UMaine Extension to identify pest problems and determining management strategies Yes	Utilize UMaine Extension to identify pest problems and determining management strategies No
Implement practices that improve efficiency and reduce inputs	Implement practices that improve efficiency and reduce inputs Yes	Implement practices that improve efficiency and reduce inputs No
Adopt and maintain integrated pest management strategies	Adopt and maintain integrated pest management strategies Yes	Adopt and maintain integrated pest management strategies No
Tried new varieties	Tried new varieties Yes	Tried new varieties No

Question Title

* 9. If you shared the bounty of your garden(s) with others in need (via soup kitchens, food pantries, church, neighbors, etc.), please estimate the number of pounds of produce you gave away in 2014. Make your best estimate.

FYI - A plastic grocery bag is estimated to hold about 7 pounds of produce on average.

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* 10. Feel free to use the space below to make any additional comments related to the Maine Home Garden News or the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.