Disclaimer

Last updated: September 18, 2026

This Disclaimer applies to Herval.co ("Herval," "we," "us," or "our"), a gardening tools and resources blog owned, written, and operated by Henry Rootwell of Oregon, USA. It covers all content on the website, including articles, guides, tool reviews, comparisons, buying guides, calendars, checklists, newsletters, and social media posts, as well as any materials or recommendations provided as part of our services. By using Herval.co, you accept this Disclaimer in full. It should be read together with our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

1. General information only

All information on Herval.co is published in good faith and for general informational and educational purposes only. We work hard to make our guides accurate, practical, and up to date, drawing on hands-on experience, manufacturer documentation, university extension publications, and other reputable sources. However, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information, products, or related graphics on the website.

Gardening is local. Advice that works well in the Pacific Northwest may not suit a desert, a tropical climate, a high-altitude garden, or a region with different soils, pests, and regulations. Planting dates, watering needs, frost dates, hardiness zones, and pest pressures vary from place to place and from year to year. You should always adapt our guidance to your own conditions and check it against local sources, such as your state's cooperative extension service or a local nursery.

2. Not professional advice

Content on Herval.co, and advice provided through our consultations and workshops, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified, licensed professional. Henry Rootwell is an experienced gardener and writer, not a licensed landscape architect, certified arborist, licensed pesticide applicator, plumber, electrician, engineer, attorney, physician, or veterinarian.

Please consult an appropriate professional before:

• removing, pruning, or working near large trees, especially near power lines or structures;
• digging, trenching, or installing irrigation lines (always contact 811 or your local utility-location service first);
• making electrical connections for pumps, controllers, lighting, or powered tools;
• connecting irrigation to a potable water supply, which may require a backflow prevention device and permits;
• applying restricted-use pesticides or treating large or commercial areas;
• undertaking structural work such as retaining walls, decks, or grading that affects drainage; or
• making decisions about health symptoms, poisoning, allergies, or injuries in people or animals.

If you or someone else may have been exposed to a poison or toxic plant, contact your local emergency number or, in the United States, Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. For pets, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service immediately.

3. Gardening, chemical, and tool safety

Gardening involves physical activity, sharp and powered equipment, plants, and sometimes chemicals, all of which carry a risk of injury, illness, or damage. By following any information on Herval.co, you accept responsibility for your own safety and for that of anyone else affected by your gardening.

3.1 Tools

• Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety warnings for every tool, especially powered tools such as chainsaws, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, tillers, and mowers.
• Wear suitable protective equipment, such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, sturdy footwear, and long sleeves, as the task requires.
• Sharpening guidance on our site is for hand tools used carefully. Secure blades before sharpening, work away from your body, and keep fingers clear of edges.
• Disconnect power or remove batteries before cleaning, adjusting, or clearing jams on powered equipment.
• Keep tools out of reach of children, store them safely, and never leave sharp tools lying in grass or beds.
• Use ladders on firm, level ground and follow the ladder manufacturer's guidance.

3.2 Chemicals and garden products

• For pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers, the label is the law. Always read and follow product labels, including rates, timing, protective equipment, re-entry intervals, and pre-harvest intervals.
• "Organic" and "natural" do not mean harmless. Products such as neem oil, insecticidal soaps, pyrethrins, copper, sulfur, and diatomaceous earth can harm people, pets, pollinators, fish, and beneficial insects if misused.
• Never mix chemicals unless the label expressly allows it, and never store products in unlabeled or food containers.
• Avoid spraying in wind, before rain, near water, or where bees are actively foraging.
• Pesticide regulations vary by state and locality. Check the rules that apply to you, including any restrictions in Oregon or your own state.
• Homemade remedies described in general gardening literature may damage plants or be unlawful to use as pesticides; test carefully and check local regulations.

3.3 Plants, pets, and people

Many common garden plants are toxic to people or animals if eaten, and some cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Never eat a plant, berry, seed, or mushroom unless you are certain of its identity and safety. Check plant toxicity before planting in areas used by children, dogs, cats, horses, or livestock. Protect yourself from sun and heat, stay hydrated, and take breaks to avoid strain injuries.

4. Affiliate disclosure

Herval.co is reader-supported. To keep our guides free, we earn money through affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, the retailer pays us a small commission. This does not increase the price you pay.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Herval.co is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may also participate in affiliate programs operated by other retailers, manufacturers, and affiliate networks.

In line with the US Federal Trade Commission's Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (16 CFR Part 255), we disclose affiliate relationships clearly and close to the relevant links, not just on this page. Articles containing affiliate links include a short disclosure near the top of the article or before the first link. Newsletters that contain affiliate links say so.

Please note the following:

• Prices, availability, product specifications, and promotions shown or described on Herval.co may change at any time and are provided by or taken from third parties. Always check the current price and details on the retailer's website before buying. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change; any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
• Your purchase contract is with the retailer, not with Herval.co. Questions about orders, shipping, returns, warranties, and product defects should go to the retailer or manufacturer.
• We never include affiliate links in a way designed to mislead you, and we do not use hidden redirects or disguised advertising.

5. Earnings disclaimer

Some of our content may discuss saving money in the garden, growing your own food, selling surplus produce or seedlings, starting a small gardening or tool-sharpening side business, or the value of good-quality tools. Any figures, examples, or estimates of savings, yields, income, or return on investment are illustrative only. They are based on particular circumstances, assumptions, and experiences that may not apply to you.

We make no guarantee that you will achieve any particular yield, savings, income, or financial result by following our content or using our services. Results depend on many factors, including your climate, soil, water availability and cost, pests and diseases, weather, time and effort, skills, local market conditions, local regulations and licensing, and the prices of seeds, supplies, and equipment. Gardening can involve costs that exceed its savings, and crops can fail entirely.

Nothing on Herval.co is financial, tax, legal, or business advice. If you plan to sell produce, plants, or services, check your local business licensing, zoning, food safety, nursery licensing, sales tax, and insurance requirements, and consult qualified advisers.

We also want to be transparent that Herval.co itself earns money through affiliate commissions, paid services, and, where clearly labeled, advertising or sponsorships. Our earnings do not depend on you achieving any result.

6. Product reviews and testimonials policy

We take the trust of our readers seriously, and we follow the FTC's Endorsement Guides and its rules on consumer reviews and testimonials. Our approach is as follows:

6.1 How we review products

• Honest opinions. Reviews reflect our genuine opinions, findings, beliefs, and experience. We report drawbacks as well as strengths.
• How we tested. Where we have used a product hands-on, we say so. Where a review or comparison is based on research, such as specifications, manufacturer information, expert sources, and aggregated user feedback, rather than personal testing, we say that too. We do not claim to have tested a product we have not used.
• Editorial independence. Affiliate commissions, free products, and sponsorships do not determine our ratings or rankings. We link to products we would be comfortable recommending to a friend, and we may recommend products for which we earn no commission.
• Free and loaned products. If a manufacturer or retailer gives us a product for free, lends it to us, or pays us in any way in connection with a review, we clearly disclose that in the review itself. Receiving a product does not obligate us to write about it or to review it favorably.
• Sponsored content. Any sponsored or paid content is clearly labeled as "Sponsored" or "Paid partnership." Inquiries may be sent to [email protected].
• Updates. Products change and new models appear. We update reviews when we can and show the date of the last review or update, but some information may become outdated.

6.2 Testimonials

From time to time, we may share feedback from readers or service clients. We publish testimonials only with the person's permission, we do not write, invent, or buy them, and we do not edit them in ways that change their meaning. We do not offer payment or incentives in exchange for positive reviews, and we do not suppress negative feedback. If a person providing a testimonial has any material connection with us, such as being a friend, relative, or someone who received a free service, we disclose it. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; your results may differ.

If you believe any review or testimonial on Herval.co is inaccurate or lacks a required disclosure, please tell us at [email protected].

7. Errors and omissions

Although we take care in preparing and checking our content, gardening knowledge evolves, products change, and mistakes happen. Herval.co may contain typographical errors, technical inaccuracies, outdated information, or omissions. We reserve the right to correct, change, or update content at any time without notice, but we are not obligated to do so.

If you spot an error, we would be grateful if you let us know at [email protected] or [email protected]. We review every correction request and update articles where appropriate, noting significant corrections.

8. External links

Herval.co links to external websites, including retailers, manufacturers, universities, extension services, government agencies, and other gardening resources. These links are provided for your convenience and further reading. We do not control those websites and are not responsible for their content, accuracy, availability, products, security, or privacy practices. A link does not imply endorsement of everything on the linked site. Once you leave Herval.co, the terms and policies of the other website apply.

9. Use at your own risk

Any action you take on the basis of information found on Herval.co, in our newsletter, or in materials provided through our services is strictly at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Herval.co and Henry Rootwell will not be liable for any loss, injury, illness, or damage, including damage to plants, crops, lawns, soil, property, pets, or livestock, arising from your use of, or reliance on, our content or recommendations, or from your purchase or use of any product we mention. Further limitations are set out in our Terms of Use. Nothing in this Disclaimer limits any liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

10. Changes to this disclaimer

We may update this Disclaimer from time to time to reflect changes in our content, affiliate relationships, services, or legal requirements. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. Please check back periodically.

11. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Disclaimer, please contact us:

• General questions: [email protected]
• Corrections and editorial matters: [email protected]
• Reader feedback: [email protected]
• Advertising and sponsorships: [email protected]
• Press: [email protected]
• Contact form: herval.co contact page

Herval.co is owned and operated by Henry Rootwell, Oregon, United States.

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