JMTaylor

Hi, Billy.

Thanks for sharing the information on this leading edge technology. I am pleased a garden grower is using it and I think it will get the desired result.

There are a few things to consider with QR codes, though. Phones that can read them, so far, do not make up a significant percentages of phones in use, but the tipping point should come this Christmas when all the early-adopters upgrade from their text-capable or clam-shell phones. These 'feature phones' can only use a text-to-number option to return information (and capture the phone number for future contacts). These are SMS messages and limited to ~140 characters.

QR codes are great for the phones that accept them, but these generally need to have an app loaded on the phone. QRs can return a URL, a message, a V-Card and other types of information. If you send out a URL, be aware that your traditional site may give an unsatisfactory user experience, featuring much scrolling, panning and zooming.

I have a basic QR code generator you can use to create your own QR codes (http://camarilloonlinemarketing.com/qr-codes/), and a Smart Phone Emulator to test your website with (http://camarilloonlinemarketing.com/test-your-website/). Use these to get a taste of things to come...

I'm into the 'naturalist' garden where (mostly native) plants are grouped by water requirements, and plant combinations are designed to favor hummingbirds, beneficial insect habitat, ot into thematic 'rooms' in the garden featuring various fruiting shrubs, trees and plants.

Great post, Helen. I wholeheartedly agree on bringing wildlife back to the garden. There is so much habitat lost to houses, we really should give some land back to the birds and critters.

We have a lot of room to work with and have devoted a lot of the ground to native habitat. We have included native and naturalized fruit trees, flowers such as salvias, penstemons, lavenders and herbs to attract a wide range of visitors. Watering stations are part of the drip irrigation system, and we have lots of deep cover for nesting and loafing.

We enjoy literally hundreds of quail that keep our gardens free of insects, hawks, owls and falcons to help keep the rodents in line, road-runners to deal with lizards, even a resident bobcat. There have been over 130 different bird species identified on the property.

So, yes, bring the wildlife back to your gardens. It works very well for us...