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SAN FRANCISCO and NEW BRITAIN, Conn., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- PlantSense, Inc. and Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. today announced an exclusive arrangement that will lead to a new line of high-tech Black & Decker-branded gardening tools designed to take the guesswork out of gardening.  Black & Decker is licensing PlantSense's Internet-connected EasyBloom™  technology and will introduce a new line of plant sensors, called PlantSmart™, later this fall.  PlantSense's website recommends which plants will thrive in a particular spot – inside or out, diagnoses ailing plants and provides fertilizer advice.

"PlantSense's innovative EasyBloom technology provides a simple and smart way for users to learn more about their garden and what they need to do to keep their plants alive and healthy," said DeAnn Romjue, vice president outdoor marketing for Black & Decker.  "By combining PlantSense's cutting-edge innovation with the power and heritage of the Black & Decker brand, we can offer gardeners a whole new level of service and personalization – both in their yard and on the Web."

PlantSense launched the EasyBloom plant sensor in 2008 and it's  been incredibly popular with casual and master gardeners alike.  Users report that they grow 30 percent more plants using EasyBloom.  According to a recent survey from Harris Interactive, two-thirds of adults say that knowing what types of plants, fruits, vegetables or flowers would thrive in given locations would make it easier to garden successfully.

"Black & Decker's marketing programs and distribution network will help bring the PlantSense technology to a broader audience," said Matthew Glenn, CEO of PlantSense. "This partnership gives us the ability to focus on enhancing our Internet services and exploring opportunities for future innovations."

PlantSense will manage the Web services for Black & Decker's PlantSmart sensor, delivering plant recommendations and diagnostic monitoring.  Through its team of botanists and engineers, PlantSense will provide information about more than 6,000 plants, customized tips for gardeners and personalized plant care alerts.  Black & Decker customers will be able to access PlantSense's web-based services, allowing them to select the right plants and plant care tools for virtually any gardening project.  

Black & Decker will concentrate on the sales, marketing and in-store support for the PlantSmart products. Black and Decker's PlantSmart product is expected to begin shipping in fall 2010 for $49.99.  

How the PlantSmart™ Sensor Works

Users place the PlantSmart sensor anywhere they want to grow a plant – indoors or out – and PlantSmart takes a "plant's eye view" of light, temperature and soil condition.  After 24 hours the user plugs the PlantSmart sensor into a computer, and PlantSense will recommend plants that will thrive in a particular spot, diagnose ailing plants, and provide fertilizer advice.  It will even "chirp" when your plant needs to be watered.  It works with all types of plants, including flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables and indoor plants.  Click here to read more about how it works.

About PlantSense, Inc.

PlantSense, Inc. was founded in 2006 to help take the guesswork and frustration out of home gardening by bringing the expertise of professionals to the fingertips of the amateur.  The company's first product, the EasyBloom Plant Sensor, is a smart, Internet-connected tool that reveals exactly what plants will thrive in a specific location.  By applying proven, scientific techniques used by professional winemakers and greenhouse growers, PlantSense allows anyone to enjoy a beautiful indoor or outdoor garden — from a single bedroom begonia to a backyard bed of roses.  The same technology will be used in the B&D PlantSmart product. For more information, visit www.plantsense.com.  

About Black & Decker: 100 Years of Innovation. A Legacy of Trust

Since 1910, Black & Decker has been setting the standard for innovation and design of power tools, accessories, outdoor yard care equipment, home cleaning products, automotive and lighting products, hardware and home improvement products, and technology-based fastening systems The inventor of the first portable electric drill with pistol grip and trigger switch, Black & Decker has evolved from a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland to a global manufacturing and marketing powerhouse with a broad line of quality products used in and around the home and for commercial applications. When users need to get work done, they trust Black & Decker for the products that will do the job efficiently and reliably. For more information on Black & Decker's extensive line of products or its centennial anniversary, visit http://www.BlackandDecker.com or http://BlackandDecker.imrepresskit.com.

SOURCE PlantSense, Inc.

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http://www.plantsense.com

SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2010 – Just in time for the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day, PlantSense, Inc. unveiled the new EasyBloom Plant Sensor Plus – a tool that takes the guesswork out of gardening. After taking a “plant’s eye view” of light, temperature and soil moisture, EasyBloom Plus recommends plants that will thrive in a particular spot, diagnoses ailing plants, and even “chirps” when a plant needs water.  And now, users can have even more insight into the soil with the EasyBloom Plus, which analyzes a plant’s fertilizer needs.

“We’ve solved the most common challenges to growing a potted plant or a thriving backyard garden,” said Matt Glenn, CEO for PlantSense. “In fact, our users have grown 30% more plants with the help of EasyBloom. They’ve told us that it gives them confidence in the garden and helps their gardening dollars go farther.  We’re turning brown thumbs into green thumbs.”

San Francisco, CA September 23, 2009 PlantSense, Inc., makers of the EasyBloom Plant Sensor, today unveiled monthly “My Plant Alerts” that gives plant lovers free, personalized tips on how to keep their garden green. EasyBloom automatically sends users email or text messages that outline simple steps to care for plants based on their location, and the plants that they own.

 “EasyBloom sends the customized alerts right to you, so you don’t even have to dig up your Farmer’s Almanac,” said Dr. Robert Flannery, PlantSense’s senior horticulturist.  “Besides watering, there are simple things plant care givers should do to keep their plants alive and thriving.  We take the guesswork out, so that you can spend more time enjoying your plants, and less time having to think about what to do to keep them healthy.”

San Francisco – May 5, 2009 – PlantSense, Inc., maker of the EasyBloom Plant Sensor, announces today a new feature on its Web site, making it possible for customers to purchase plants with just a click of a button. With the new `Buy Button' option, consumers can now purchase more than 1,000 plants, including tomatoes, roses, basil and hydrangeas, directly from Burpee and Garden Crossings on EasyBloom.com.

San Francisco – March 11, 2009 – PlantSense Inc., maker of the EasyBloom plant sensor, announced today that it will expand its comprehensive online plant library through a partnership with Proven Winners®, a leading brand of high-quality flowering plants in North America. More than 400 new plant overviews, photos and care instructions have been added to give casual gardeners a better sense of what they can grow in their backyard, home or office.

SAN FRANCISCO – Oct. 27, 2008 – PlantSense Inc. (www.easybloom.com) today unveiled the EasyBloom Plant Sensor, a gardening solution that can recommend exactly which plants will thrive in a particular spot, and diagnoses what is wrong with ailing plants. This marks the first time this type of horticultural technology has been available to the general consumer.

SAN FRANCISCO – Oct. 27, 2008 – PlantSense Inc. (www.easybloom.com), makers of the first Internet-connected gardening tool, today announced partnerships with leading gardening and seed companies including Ball Horticultural Company, W. Atlee Burpee and the National Gardening Association, and AccuWeather.com, The World's Weather Authority®. PlantSense has tapped detailed plant and weather intelligence from these leading organizations to help people know what to plant where, and ensure that what they plant thrives.

New Internet-Connected Device Will Help Ensure Plants Thrive
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. June 16, 2008. – PlantSense, a pioneer in Internet-enabled gardening tools, has received $3.5 million in Series A funding from Gabriel Ventures and independent investors. Working in combination with its free Internet service, the PlantSense tool recommends which plants will thrive in a specific location and diagnoses what is wrong with ailing plants. The device, due to be launched later this year, can be used year-round in homes and gardens. “Americans spend $21 billion annually on plants, but a third of those plants die within a year,” said Matthew Glenn, CEO for PlantSense. “For many people, gardening, and especially figuring out what to plant where, is a frustrating and expensive process of trial and error. PlantSense’s device will be like having a botanist in your pocket making it easier and less work to enjoy thriving plants.”