Learn2Grow and Lowes Helping Create More Successful Gardeners

Business Wire, March 31, 2008

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Learn2Grow[R] and Lowe's are working together to help consumer gardeners of all skill levels become more successful in their gardens, their landscaping, and in their homes. Learn2Grow is the first expert-driven social network gardening site on the Internet. The content provided by Learn2Grow is driven by categories and topics that are relayed to the consumer based on geographical location, gardening knowledge and specifics user interests.

Be a Smarter and More Successful Gardener

Learn2Grow and Lowe's bring together quality content, projects, journals and engaging online "how to" courses to inspire and empower the home gardener. Articles on every topic of gardening are original and tell the gardener that gardening - the number #1 hobby in the country - is easy, fun and anyone can do it!

* Learn2Grow provides simple projects that gardeners of any skill level can do.

* A personal online journal gives the gardener a tool to keep track of their garden activities along with their favorite pictures and articles, and also gives them the ability to share this with other Learn2Grow members.

* Learn2Grow has designed online courses for practical application gardening. These courses were developed with a "personal gardening coach" approach in mind. Filled with inspiring pictures, voice-over, a variety of interactive activities and projects, they are truly result driven.

Announcing a New Garden Design Tool - Design By Function

Learn2Grow and Lowe's have launched a unique design program that can give anyone - whether new to gardening and landscaping or an avid gardener - the ability to turn a bare plot of ground into a beautifully designed garden.

This new program has designs that are built around a plant's function, or accent, such as "screening" shrub or "upright" perennials. Lowes' plant tags identify each plant's function. The design is personalized by picking regionally available plants to match the plant's functions in the design plans.

"We are on course to have hundreds of landscape design plans for all types of gardens that will work in any region of the country," says Michael Ferraro, president of Learn2Grow.

Plant Database of the Future - Now

Learn2Grow has developed a very special plant database for consumers to get information on planting and caring for thousands of plants. The database includes everything you need to know including where they grow best, how to water, and details about insects and disease that might affect your growing success. Consumers can add their own pictures to each and every plant, as well as regional information on habit, diseases and insects. The Lowes ID code on all plant tags tie into this database to make searching easier.

"Our goal here was simple - to create the largest database of credible content and photos to support gardeners everywhere," explains Ferraro. "What sets us apart from other community submitted databases is that our data is verified by a staff of expert horticulturists prior to it being posted on the site to insure accuracy at all times."

More to Come!

Soon, the gardener will have many more programs to support their gardening efforts including pod casts and how-to videos of projects that anyone can do. Consumers will have the ability to share their gardening successes with their friends and other gardeners through expanded forums and social networking tools such as their own gardening pages, blogs and videos.

"The tools we have now and those we are developing for the future will give the consumer gardener more knowledge and inspiration than ever before. These tools, and this partnership with Lowes, will bring gardening to an entirely new level. Learn2Grow and Lowe's are committed to the gardener and we are very proud to offer our site, our tools, and our vision for the future to support not only Lowe's gardening customers but gardeners everywhere," says Ferraro.

Learn2Grow[R] offers inspirational design ideas, great gardening know-how, quick & easy projects, 24 hour/365 day support, comprehensive plant guide, a gardening community, and support from experts who care. Learn2Grow is dedicated to helping people become more successful gardeners, enhance their outdoor lifestyle, and improve their overall quality of life through gardening. Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, Learn2Grow employs professional garden writers from across the country. Learn2Grow[R] is a division of Preferred Commerce.

www.learn2grow.com