Weed & Grass Killer
For Pro Landscape

Signifying a Shift in Consumer Demand for Non-Toxic Garden Products, Earth’s Ally Expands Reach with Lowe's Distribution Partnership and Availability in 500+ New Locations and Online

SARASOTA, FL., March 1, 2021 -- Earth’s Ally, a natural line of safe, effective and responsible organic gardening products, today announces a new retail partnership with Lowe’s, one of America’s most well-known home improvement stores and a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company.

Beginning in May 2021, the complete line of Earth’s Ally organic gardening products, Insect Control, Disease Control, and Weed & Grass Killer, will be available for consumers to purchase in more than 500 Lowe’s retail stores nationwide. Additionally, all Earth’s Ally products are now available on Lowes.com.

“Recently, we’ve seen a big increase in interest in our safe, effective gardening products that are made with non-toxic, natural ingredients. Retailers are listening to new, and existing, gardeners who want products that are safe around their families and pets, but still work. We’re proud to offer products that meet this need perfectly and make them available nationwide through a home improvement leader like Lowe’s,” said Scott Allshouse, CEO and President of Earth’s Ally.

Safe for people, pets and the planet, Earth’s Ally products use food-grade ingredients, which are Field-tested, Farmer Approved® and proven effective. The team at Earth’s Ally is dedicated to educating consumers on the harmful use of synthetic chemicals in pesticides and providing more access to its safe and effective products for home gardeners, landscapers and municipalities.

Available Earth’s Ally products in Lowe’s stores this spring: 

• Earth’s Ally Weed & Grass Killer: Earth’s Ally Weed & Grass Killer is a non-selective herbicide that delivers visible results in 3 hours. Powered by sea salt, soap and vinegar, the Earth’s Ally Weed & Grass Killer formula kills weeds to the root without harming the earth and is FIFRA 25(b) Exempt. The formula leaves no harmful residual and is safe for use around pollinators, pets and children. 
• Earth’s Ally Insect Control: Earth’s Ally Insect Control is an OMRI Listed® contact insecticide, miticide and repellent for use on houseplants and in organic gardens. Formulated with a high concentration of active ingredients, Earth’s Ally uses 100% botanical oils -- rosemary oil, clove oil, peppermint oil -- to provide a quick knockdown on mites and soft-bodied insects. The formula leaves no harmful residual and is safe for use around pollinators, pets and children. 
• Earth’s Ally Disease Control: Earth’s Ally Disease Control is an OMRI Listed® contact fungicide and bactericide for use on houseplants and in organic gardens. Formulated with food-grade citric acid, Earth’s Ally is highly effective at treating and preventing powdery, downy mildew, blight, canker and leaf spots. The formula leaves no harmful residual and is safe for use around pollinators, pets and children. 

About Earth’s Ally

At Earth's Ally, we are committed to protecting our pollinators and offer a complete lineup of Bee Safe gardening products that have been scrutinized and tested by independent laboratories to ensure they are both effective and Safe for People, Pets & Planet. Our Field-Tested, Farmer Approved® Insect Control and Disease Control sprays have been selected from the most effective OMRI Listed® formulas in the organic agricultural industry and bottled specifically for the home gardener. Without using harmful and synthetic chemicals, we developed a Weed and Grass Killer formula that delivers visible results in three hours. Earth’s Ally formulas are proud to be Safe for People, Pets & Planet.

Pesticides 101: Learn the Terminology

Growing organic is about more than avoiding toxic chemicals. It’s about building healthy soil, growing healthy plants and harvesting delicious and flavorful vegetables. To do that, you have to know and understand the non-toxic tools available to protect your garden from pests, which can be tricky and confusing.

There are so many formulas at the garden center, like garden pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. What do they all mean? And which ones are organic pesticides? Read on for the tools to shop the garden aisle with confidence.

What are Pesticides?

The term “pesticide” can be confusing because it is a classification given to substances, both natural pesticides and synthetic chemicals, that are used to kill, repel or control a pest. The term “pesticide” is broad and applies to the other “-cides” available, like herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.

Types of Pesticides

Herbicides (plants)

Herbicides are the most commonly applied pesticide. Used for weed management, there are a few different categories of herbicides that determine what it kills and how it works.

• Some herbicides are non-selective formulas and will kill all the plants they touch while other synthetic chemicals are selective and have been designed to target one just species.
• Another designation is pre- and post-emergent formulations. Some herbicides kill weeds on contact while other synthetic chemicals have been designed to contain pre-emergent qualities that interrupt the germination and growth of a weed.

In and around an organic garden, you’ll want to use a non-selective, post-emergent herbicide to maintain the health of your soil and nearby plants. 

Insecticides (bugs)

Insecticides are a type of pesticide that are used to specifically target and kill bugs like soft-bodied insects, ants and wasps. There are two main classifications of formulas, contact vs. systemic. Some insecticides kill bugs on contact without residual activity while other systemic insecticides use a mode of action that has long term effects and stay on the plant for some time. In an organic garden, you’ll want to use an OMRI Listed® contact insecticide that leaves behind no harmful residue.

Fungicides (fungi and bacteria)

Fungicides are a type of pesticide that are used to specifically target plant pathogens, like fungus and bacteria. There are two main classifications of formulas, contact vs. systemic. Some fungicides kill fungi and bacteria on contact without residual activity while other systemic fungicides are taken into the plant tissue for long term effects and residual activity. In an organic garden, you’ll want to use an OMRI Listed® contact fungicide that leaves behind no harmful residue.

Say No To Synthetic Chemicals

There are natural pesticide formulas that can be used in an organic garden. When shopping, look closely at the label. All pesticides are carefully evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for toxicity to humans and other organisms. Synthetic and harsh chemicals will have an EPA Registration number clearly labelled to ensure proper use and protect both people and the environment. Pesticides that contain ingredients that are generally recognized as safe by the EPA qualify for a minimum risk exemption called FIFRA 25(b). Now that you know more about pesticides and which ones to avoid in an organic garden, remember that Earth’s Ally products are all FIFRA 25(b) Exempt.

About Earth’s Ally Formulas

Insect Control	Weed & Grass Killer	Disease Control
FIFRA 25(b)	FIFRA 25(b)	FIFRA 25(b)
Contact Insecticide	Non-Selective Herbicide	Contact Fungicide
OMRI Listed for organic gardening	Post-Emergent	OMRI Listed for organic gardening
Bee Safe	Bee Safe	Bee Safe

We’d love to hear how Earth’s Ally natural pesticides are helping you grow healthy plants. Share your experience with our formulas and stay connected with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for access to our latest blog posts, giveaways and exclusive promotions.

For further reading on pesticide labeling, please visit the EPA website:

• https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/basic-information-about-pesticide-ingredients
• https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/types-pesticide-ingredients
• https://www.epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides

Welcome To The Garden

By Angelo Randaci, Earth’s Ally Master Gardener and Horticulture Expert

If you are looking for a happy place in the world, look to the benefits of gardening.  Everything about gardening brings a sense of enjoyment, accomplishment, and yes, sometimes even a bit of frustration.  Gardening engages all the senses.  The life in your garden will take you on a journey through nature’s seasonal transformations from the sight of beautiful colors and forms to inhaling intoxicating fragrances wafting through the night air. From the sights and sounds of early morning pollinators foraging for breakfast, to the touch of the soft lamb’s ear leaf basking in the evening sunset.  And if you grow edibles, the season ends with the taste of a bountiful harvest.  You can grow food for your table and use your fresh cut flowers to adorn it, pick the leaves from your favorite herbs to brew a pot of delicious tea or create a meditation area in the mist of all that bouquet and beauty.

The garden is beneficial for body, mind and spirit. Gardening can improve a heavy mood, dissipate feelings of anxiety, lift depression and reduce stress. Gardening is good for mental health. Working in the garden helps to burn calories, while giving your arms and leg muscles a workout. In this time of social distancing, the garden becomes a place of refuge, a place of solace, and a place of excitement as you witness your plants producing food, flowers, medicine and love.

When you include organically grown veggies and fruits into your landscape you will eat healthier knowing your food is toxin free.  Your food goes directly from garden to table, eliminating any questions about how it was handled or where it has been.  The fresher the food, the higher the nutrient value.  And for your body a bit of sun exposure is a natural way to increase your vitamin D and calcium levels to build strong bones and an efficient immune system.

If you are a novice and want to know how to jump into this healthful hobby here are a few tips and tricks to begin your horticultural therapy journey.

Document Your Journey

The first step is to obtain a notebook to use as your garden journal.  Get in the habit of jotting down your observations, ideas and plans. Have design ideas?  Thinking of specific plants that excite you? What type of garden do you want to create?  Is it a mixed border of ornamentals, a garden of all veggies, or veggies, herbs and ornamentals intermixed?  Record information such as what was planted and when.  Include your successes and failures as well as notes on improvements to make next growing season.  Keep a record of what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to change.           

Scouting

Become a scout in your own yard.  What are you scouting?  You’re looking for the perfect location for your garden. Take note of your property’s orientation.  Scout out north, south, east and west.  This will help you decide where to start your garden.  Gardens do best when receiving at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Do you have an existing landscape that needs to be reshaped, taken out or significantly changed?  Are there existing trees or shrubs blocking your sun exposure?

Make A Plan

Draw up a few simple sketches of your property adding the plants and the placement of each specimen (this can go into your journal). Remember to place taller plants towards the back of the garden and shorter plants closest to the front.

Start Small

If you are unsure about how you want to proceed then start small. Before you tear up your entire yard and live to regret it, small is a good place to begin. Set yourself up for success right from the beginning. Consider starting with a raised bed or consider planting a container garden. Try a simple window box garden or grow some kitchen herbs on a sunny windowsill. This gives you an opportunity to decide if gardening is right for you.

Amend the Soil

Gardens do best in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.  This step is really the key to success. If you are unsure of your soil composition, you can submit a soil sample to your local extension office for testing.

Mulch

Mulching the soil around your plants is important for a number of reasons.  A good healthy organic mulch adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes.  It feeds soil microbes, keeps the soil from completely drying out, will keep weeds at bay, and helps conserve water.

Plant Selection

There is a bit of a learning curve when first becoming acquainted with plant selection. The gardeners anthem is “right plant in the right place”.  How will you know what plants grow best in your climate? You can join a gardening group, read gardening books, watch YouTube videos from local experts and thumb through plant catalogs, they contain a wealth of information including plant placement, growing conditions and helpful tips.  Choose plants that are easy to grow and easy to maintain. Enjoy your successes and learn from your failures.  

Tools

Invest in good garden tools.  I’ve had the same pair of pruners for over 25 years.  I keep them clean and sharpened and put away when finished with the day. Good garden tools are a pay off in the long run.  For example, all the parts of the pruners are replaceable so the initial cost diminishes over time.  Purchase a holster to hold your pruners while working to keep them in top shape.  Adjustable knee pads and pads to kneel on when you have to get down on your knees will make planting and weeding so much easier. You’ll also want to buy a good shovel, hand trowel, rake, weeding tools and a good pruning saw. And to make it easy to find your tools once you’ve laid them down in the garden, paint the handles a nice bright color that makes them easy to spot.

There are many health benefits to gardening and perhaps the greatest benefit is that gardening brings people together. Gardening can either be a solo endeavor or a social group activity.  Whether family members or friends from your local garden community, gardening is a great way to interact with people in your neighborhood by sharing ideas and plants. Share your experience and stay connected with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Importance of Bees and Pollinators

Not all bugs in the garden are bad. As you create your organic garden, you’ll realize the benefits of attracting beneficial bugs and native pollinators. Without pollination, quite simply, plants can’t reproduce. Honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds pollinate vegetables, flowers and fruit trees. Bees alone help pollinate over 1/3 the world’s food crops and ensure food security, biodiversity and vibrant ecosystems for plants. Some crops pollinated by honey bees are coffee, strawberries, tomatoes, blueberries, avocado, sugarcane, grapes, and almonds… to name just a few!

Decline in Honeybee Populations

Sadly, populations of bees have declined drastically in recent years due to invasive varroa mites, diseases, poor nutrition and Colony Collapse Disorder. The total number of managed honeybee colonies has decreased from 5 million in the 1940s to about 2.66 million today, according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) survey. According to the USDA, the four biggest threats to bee colonies are:

1. Parasites and Pests
2. Pathogens and Disease
3. Poor Nutrition
4. Pesticides

Lots of chemicals have serious warnings for the bee population. By many common pesticides like Malathion, Diazinon, Sevin, Imidan and Neonicotinoids are toxic to bees. Neonicotinoids, or more commonly called “neonics,” are the most widely used insecticide in the world and exposure to both the formula and its residues are toxic to bees.

What are Neonicotinoids?

Neonicotinoids are a class of neuro-active insecticides that are chemically similar to nicotine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently banned 12 products containing neonicotinoid but there are still 47 neonicotinoid-based products on the market in the U.S.

There’s a lot of work to do! By choosing safe pollinator safe pesticides to keep your garden healthy, you can do your part to safeguard the bees. Bee safe pest control solutions aren't just better for pollinators, they're also safer for pets and children.

Bee Friendly Gardening Tips

To create a green space that is attractive and safe for this vital part of our ecosystem, planting flowers that bees love will draw them to your garden. To conserve the bee population, attract them to your organic garden and do your part to keep them safe. That means planting bee friendly species and using bee safe products. 

Here are 5 ways to create a bee friendly garden:

1. Plant butterfly bushes, lavender, marigolds and beebalm
2. Create a pollinator-friendly habitat like bee house or butterfly garden
3. During long periods of dry weather, provide a supply of water for beneficial pollinators
4. Utilize bee safe products like Earth’s Ally or another non-toxic formula to control garden pest problems
5. Spray non-toxic insecticides early in the morning or at night after native bees are not foraging and safely in their hives

At home gardens are pollinators habitats to forage and thrive. We take our responsibility to pollinators seriously and believe it up to us to restore their natural habitat and encourage their colonization. Without bees, we wouldn’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bee Safe Insect Control

At Earth's Ally, we are committed to protecting our pollinators. We offer a complete lineup of Bee Safe® gardening products that have been scrutinized and tested by independent laboratories to ensure they are both effective and safe for People, Pets & Planet.

When we developed Earth’s Ally Insect Control, we tested extensively to ensure there was not harm to the bee population. It is formulated with rosemary, clove and peppermint oil to knockdown soft-bodied insects. The formula leaves behind no harmful residue and can be used up until the day of harvest.

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What Customers Are Saying

“I used this product for whiteflies and aphids. Worked great on both, no more to be seen. I have a garden for the butterflies, hummingbirds and bees and wanted something to control invasive insects but not harm the others.”

– SteveTheHandyMan, Home Depot Customer

“I really liked using this insect spray. It was for my crepe Myrtles, which were covered in whiteflies and whitefly larvae…Almost immediate improvement and infestation continued to decline after use. Love that it doesn’t harm pollinators!”

– THENana, Home Depot Customer

We’d love to hear how Earth’s Ally is helping you grow healthy plants. Share your experience with our bee safe formulas and stay connected with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for access to our latest blog posts, giveaways and exclusive promotions.

Control Weeds Safely 

Nothing is more frustrating than watching garden weeds flourish in the Spring. From menacing crabgrass to the eyesore of dandelions, weeds can be a real problem. In an organic garden, weeds rob nearby plants of water and nutrients while attracting pests. In high-traffic areas like sidewalks, driveways and patios, weed overgrowth quickly makes a property look unkept.

Many people seek a quick fix to tame their frustrations and annihilate weeds. Unfortunately, harsh chemical herbicides pose real risks to our four-legged companions. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, if glyphosate has not had the proper time to dry or leaves a residue, dogs can be at real risk.  The contact alone can cause a host of problems not listed on the product label or company website.

At Earth’s Ally, we believe families should not have to choose between products that are safe and products that are effective. We spent 18 months formulating our Weed & Grass Killer using ingredients you can find at home in your kitchen – sea salt, soap and vinegar. The formula is highly effective and safe for high-traffic areas where our dogs play.

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The Dog’s of Earth’s Ally: Bruno Allshouse, Cleo Gallagher, Sweetie Patten.

Tips to Kill Weeds and Keep Pets Safe 

1. Pull weeds by hand when possible
2. Mulch for prevention
3. Read and understand herbicide labels
4. Use natural methods like salt, vinegar or soap  
5. Allow products to dry completely before you allowing pets to enter the area

Control Weeds Safely with Natural Weed Killer 

Earth's Ally Weed & Grass Killer is formulated without harmful synthetic chemicals. Our natural weed control spray is formulated with food-grade ingredients that are generally recognized as safe by the Environmental Protection Agency: 10% Sea Salt and 90% Soap, Vinegar and Water.

Despite the simplicity of the ingredients, Earth's Ally Natural Weed & Grass Killer has been rigorously tested for performance. We refined the science of acetic acid and sea salt, fine-tuning the proportions of each ingredient to make a truly effective natural weed killer.

When used on a dry, sunny day, you can expect to see results within 3 hours. The natural Weed & Grass Killer formula kills weeds down to the root. In independent lab testing, even tenacious dandelion roots were 100% dead after just 30 days.

What Pet Lovers Say 

"The best week killer I have ever used, and it is pet-friendly."

- Frugalmom on HomeDepot.com

"Finally, a non-toxic weed and grass killer! And it works, too! My wife didn't want to use toxic chemicals on my lawn and landscape beds anymore since we now know how dangerous to our health and pet’s health they are. But this Earth's Ally formula is safe for all."

- Steveco52 on HomeDepot.com

"In today's environmentally conscience atmosphere, Earth's Ally has created a weed and grass killer that is what people are looking for. I like the fact that the ingredients are safe for my pet, me, and area surrounding the places it is used. I REALLY like the fact that it works!"

- Doddco on HomeDepot.com

Tips & Tricks for Application

When using Earth's Ally Natural Weed & Grass Killer, we recommend incorporating the "Sunshine, Shake & Saturate" mantra for optimum success.

• Sunshine – Apply on a dry, sunny day. Sunlight works with the vinegar to brown weeds in about 3 hours.   
• Shake - Shake the product well before use.
• Saturate – Fully saturate the weeds you want to eliminate. If you're switching from a synthetic chemical, you'll need to saturate the weeds more than you would with a synthetic.

With these tips, after two or three days, you will notice weeds are completely brown and shriveled. We’d love to hear how Earth’s Ally is helping you tackle tough weeds. Share your pet photos and stay connected with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for access to our latest blog posts, giveaways and exclusive promotions.

No Green Thumb Required 

If you've always wanted a home full of lush greenery but struggled to keep your houseplants alive, help is at hand. Some houseplants are very difficult to care for, requiring lots of maintenance and an unforgiving list of growing conditions. Here are six houseplants that will thrive in any home and don't require a degree in horticulture to keep them alive.

Every plant has three basic needs: light, water, and nutrients. While you may not get that string of pearls plant to flourish in a windowless bathroom, most rooms do get enough light for a more resilient plant. You'll need to water regularly and provide some soil nutrients from time to time. Some plants require weekly watering, while others are fine with being watered once a month. It’s important to know your environment and commitment to caring for your new houseplant to select the right plant for you.

As a plant parent, you also need to be aware that pests and diseases can attack any plant, even in the cleanest house or apartment. Being aware of and addressing these concerns quickly is important if you want to keep your plants looking their best. Check your plants regularly to ensure that they are free from mites, aphids, gnats, and other pests. You should also keep an eye out for brown or withered leaves or spots of discoloration. These can be signs that your plants may have a fungal disease.

Many conventional pesticides and fungicides are inappropriate for use in your living space but there are plenty of safe, organic products that you can use indoors. Earth's Ally Insect Control will help take care of those pesky leaf nibbling insects, while Earth's Ally Disease Control will control powdery mildew, leaf spot, and other infections.

If you have pets in your home, you'll need to take special care when selecting houseplants. Cats, dogs, and other animals can easily be harmed by chewing on or ingesting some types of plants. Be sure to keep unsafe species well away from your animals or choose pet-safe varieties.

Great Houseplants for Beginners

Spider Plant

These graceful, fast-growing plants look stunning with their striped foliage and tiny pink or white flowers. Spider plants readily produce "babies"—small offshoots that you can snip off and put in a pot to grow a brand-new plant. They look lovely in hanging baskets and only need to be re-potted every few years. Water when the soil is dry. Spider plants are non-toxic and pet safe, although the hanging leaves and baby offshoots can be very appealing to cats to play with.

Snake Plant

Also known as Sanseviera, this plant is very hardy and long-lived. It has very striking stiff, spiky leaves that resemble snakes with their twisting habit. It's a great choice for rooms that don't get much light, as it enjoys shady spots. If you find yourself forgetting to water your plants, you and the snake plant will get along just fine—they only need to be watered roughly once a month. With this plant, you do need to be careful about over-watering. Too much water will cause the roots to rot. This plant needs to be kept away from pets, as it's toxic if eaten.

Jade Plant

Also known as a money plant or lucky plant, this succulent thrives on neglect. It has pretty round leaves of deep jade green. It requires only a little watering and can go for a month or more without any attention. Jade plants love the sun and will appreciate a spot on a sunny windowsill. Only water if the soil feels dry, as root-rot can be an issue for this species. It can be propagated very easily from cuttings. Don't let pets nibble the plant or any dropped leaves, as it is poisonous to them.

Rubber Plant

The rubber plant is a classic houseplant, with handsome broad leaves. They can get quite large but will tolerate judicious pruning. Rubber plants do need light but prefer a shady spot out of the direct sun. You'll only need to water once a week or so (don't over-water). Rubber plants are not toxic to pets, although they may get an upset stomach if they eat a lot.

Pothos

Two things make pothos a beloved houseplant: 1) Its long, trailing vines of glossy green or variegated leaves, which make it a beautiful hanging plant; and 2) It is nearly impossible to kill. The vines can grow to over 10 feet long. Pothos doesn't mind being pruned, and you can propagate new plants from the cuttings. They survive well in low light and like to dry out between waterings (not too dry, though, as this will cause leaves to drop). Pothos is not pet-safe or safe for children. It's toxic, and unfortunately, the trailing vines make it very enticing to cats.

Hoya

Also known as wax plants, thanks to their waxy-looking blossoms, hoyas are tough, long-lived flowering plants. They like a bright, humid spot with no direct sun on their leaves. You can use a plant mister or humidifier to keep them healthy. Hoyas are pet safe.

We’d love to hear how Earth’s Ally is helping you grow healthy houseplants. Share your experience and stay connected with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for access to our latest blog posts, giveaways and exclusive promotions.