1. Introduction
Welcome to FloraMetric. We value the trust you place in us when you use our garden planning tools, layout creators, and planting calendars. Just as a thriving garden requires the right nutrients to grow, our website utilizes "cookies" and similar technologies to function effectively, analyze site traffic, and personalize your experience.
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, the types of cookies we deploy, and how you can manage your settings. By continuing to use FloraMetric, you are agreeing to the use of cookies as described in this policy, unless you have adjusted your browser settings to disable them.
"Transparency is the root system of trust. We are committed to giving you full control over how your data is collected and used while you design your dream landscape."
— The FloraMetric Privacy Team2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files containing a string of alphanumeric characters that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They act as a memory for the website, allowing it to recognize your device on subsequent visits or during a single session.
For a garden planner like FloraMetric, cookies are essential. They remember your hardiness zone settings, your saved garden layouts, and your login status so you don't have to re-authenticate every time you switch from the "Vegetable Patch" view to the "Flower Bed" view.
3. The Lifecycle of a Cookie
Understanding how long a cookie stays on your device is important. We categorize cookies by their lifespan:
Step 1: Creation
When you access FloraMetric, our server sends a small file to your browser. If you accept, this file is stored on your hard drive.
Step 2: Session Cookies (Temporary)
These are temporary cookies that exist only while you are actively using our site. They enable the "drag-and-drop" functionality of our landscape design tool. Once you close your browser, these cookies disappear immediately like morning dew.
Step 3: Persistent Cookies (Long-term)
These remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. They are responsible for "remembering" you. For example, if you select "Keep me signed in," a persistent cookie allows you to return days later to your garden plan without logging in again.
Why We Use Cookies
Security
To authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of account credentials.
Performance
To load your heavy garden graphics and layout tools faster by caching data.
Preference
To remember your unit of measurement (feet vs meters) and climate zone.
4. Types of Cookies We Use
We classify our cookies into four main categories based on their function. This structure ensures you have granular visibility into what is running in your browser.
Detailed Cookie Inventory:
For a full technical list of every specific cookie name (e.g., fm_session_id, _ga, user_pref_zone), please contact our privacy officer. However, generally speaking, we prioritize first-party cookies that directly support the garden planning application.
5. Third-Party Partners
In some cases, we use trusted third-party services to improve your experience. These partners may place cookies on your device to facilitate their services (e.g., payment processing or analytics). FloraMetric does not control the dissemination of these cookies.
6. Managing Your Preferences
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie rights by setting your preferences in the Cookie Consent Manager or by changing your browser settings.
Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set, visit www.aboutcookies.org.
Within FloraMetric
You can update your consent preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of our website. This will reopen the consent banner.
Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" signal. Because there is no industry standard for compliance, FloraMetric currently does not respond to DNT signals, but we strictly adhere to our Privacy Policy.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Updates and Contact
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please re-visit this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please email us at:
Email: [email protected]
Address: FloraMetric Legal Team, 123 Greenway Blvd, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98101