Over the last two weeks I’ve been dwelling on the information that people get about gardening from various sources. I’m not talking about really serious gardeners – I’m talking about the guy down the block who might grow six tomatoes, two cucumbers, and a head of lettuce. He’s got 6 trees on his property and he keeps his lawn nice, but not immaculate, by mowing weekly and fertilizing and applying herbicides once a year. Where is this guy getting his gardening information? Can we (and by we I mean scientists like the garden professors) do something more than we currently are to reach him so that he’s using up to date information?
A couple of days ago I walking into the place where I get my taxes done – I’ve had the same person doing my taxes for the last 14 years or so and I’ve become friendly with her – and, after we got the paperwork done she introduced me to the receptionist by saying that I speak and write books about gardening. The receptionist (who doubled as the cashier) wanted to know more so I said “You know Jerry Baker?” She said “yes, I have a bunch of his books and I just bought a set for my father.” I said “Oh…Well I’m the guy who tells you that most of Jerry’s remedies don’t work.
She didn’t seem particularly impressed with me (and the cost of filing my return was higher than usual – coincidence?)
Anyway, my question to you is, how do we reach people like that?