The document discusses the use of QR codes in gardening, highlighting their advantages such as providing more information on signs and appealing to a new generation of gardeners. It offers guidance on creating QR codes, including recommended apps and sites, and suggests creative ways to engage audiences through interactive content. Additionally, it addresses tracking usage and mobile-friendly content creation to enhance the gardening experience.

1. QR CODES IN THE
GARDEN
Henry Staples
Judy Funderburk
Mary Van Dyke
27 February 2013
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

2. What are QR Codes? Quick Response
• A matrix barcode, successor to the grocery-based UPC code
• Packs more information links
• Several competing formats. The square with 3 distinctive
corner squares has become prevalent

3. Why use QR codes in a garden?
• Provides more info on a sign
• Saves resources on expensive signage
• Appeals to a new set of gardeners – builds community

4. Which scanner app can I put on my phone?
• Popular barcode scanning apps
with Google Play links
• Android
• Barcode Scanner
• i-nigma
• RedLaser
• Apple iOS
• i-nigma
• RedLaser

6. How to create a QR Code?
• Go to a QR Generator – e.g. Qrstuff.com
1. Find your URL (internet address)
2. Copy URL
3. Go back to the QR Code
Generator site
4. Paste in your URL
5. There you are!

7. URL Shorteners
goo.gl, bitly.com, qrstuff.com
Rutabagas
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/rutabaga.html
Which will be easier
For a phone to read?

8. What size should my QR Code be?
• One inch size QR Code for every foot of reading distance

9. Choices?
• Educational aspect? What do you want to convey?
• Affordability?
• Durability?
• Color?
• Black & White?
• Metal Holders – sizes, L x H 5x3, 5x4, 7x5, 11 x 7
• “Paper” e.g. polyester Xerox Never Tear - $55 for 100 sheets
• Print – size and type
• QR Code - size

10. Here’s an example from Glencarlyn Library
• Plant label directs to article

11. Educational aspect ? Where to link?

12. Color is OK

13. Perspective is fine

14. You don’t have to stay inside the box

15. Engaging audience gives better scan rates

16. Curate a longer stay
• A study on making an exhibit mobile-friendly
(games, pictures, QR scanning)
extended stays from 20 minutes to 90 minutes
• Visitors like to turn right when entering
• Scan usage is highest at start
• People stay if they can rest
• Videos get people to stay

17. Some ideas – you are the curator
• Historical - Scanning the code sends the user to a set of photos
from the same location, but in a different time period.
• A trail of QR codes. Each QR code has a something about that spot,
with a hint to the next spot.
March 2009 November 2011

18. Some other ideas
• A seasonal slideshow
• Plant labels with a lottery drawing.
QR code all the plants you’re selling. Have one of them with a
special tag, that when scanned reveals they’ve won the prize.
• *** Interactive ***
1) Have the user scan a tag that asks a question …
e.g. “Which plants do bumblebees like?”
2) Then, when the user scans another tag,
the web page answers the question.

19. QR Codes can be used for tracking
• If QR code is scanned, usage details can be reviewed
• What % of visitors are scanning?
• Does usage increase over time?
• Do flowering plants receive the scans?
• Will rutabaga finally dethrone tomato as most popular?

20. Mobile-Friendly Content

21. Mobile-Friendly Content on the cheap
• Create a Google Drive / Dropbox folder
• Change the folder sharing to Public
• Create an HTML file using a mobile template
• In each file, add content for each QR code
• Create QR codes to HTML bookmarks.
• Blah-blah-blah?
• Email hstaples@mgnv.org
paragraphs and pictures.

22. More information
• MGNV QR Codes in the Gardens
Our stats, end-of-season summary
http://bit.ly/MGNVQR
This presentation, templates, etc.
http://bit.ly/MGNVQRPresentation

23. Questions?
• http://www.mgnv.org
• mgarlalex@gmail.com
• 703-228-6414
Judy Funderburk Henry Staples Mary Van Dyke
Dragonfly.jbf@verizon.net Henry@staplessolutions.com maryvandyke4@gmail.com