Tecolote Ranunculus flowers in full bloom during a warm spring day, April 16, 2004. (UPI Photo/Earl Cryer)

The survey of 1,000 Minnesota gardeners showed most respondents viewed information from the University of Minnesota as more credible but they were more likely to turn to neighbors and friends for gardening advice.

"We wanted to determine where gardeners got their information and if they think university information is of higher quality than information from garden centers or home centers," said University of Minnesota Professor Mary Meyer. "Participants in this survey indicated they look for convenient sources of gardening information and, although many felt the land-grant university and arboretum were highly credible and knowledgeable, they were still more likely to use other sources for their gardening information. This poses a challenge to universities and arboreta to use new ways to reach gardeners."

The university's survey also found older gardeners were less likely to use the Internet than younger gardeners, and that most respondents indicated they learn best from talking with friends. Access to publications containing color photos and illustrations was also highly valued by the gardeners who responded to the survey.

Survey results appear in the journal HortTechnology.