IT Graduate & Founder | Systems-Driven Gardener
Leading Evergreen Hideout Agricultural Services (NPO: 2024/380375/07)
Last Updated: March 26, 2026 • Soshanguve, Pretoria🍪 Cookie Consent & Privacy Choices: How We Use Cookies on Evergreen Hideout
🌱 Introduction
At Evergreen Hideout, we believe in transparency. This page explains how we use cookies, what they do, and how you can control them. Your privacy matters, and we want you to feel informed and empowered when using our website.
I'm Kutlwano Mokoena, a home gardener and IT professional in Soshanguve, Pretoria. I created this page to be honest and straightforward about how cookies work on Evergreen Hideout.
🍪 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your computer, phone, or tablet when you visit. They help websites remember things about you—like your preferences—so you don't have to set them every time you visit.
Think of cookies like a gardener's notebook. When you visit a garden center, the staff might remember that you prefer organic fertilizer or that you're growing tomatoes. Cookies do something similar—they help websites remember you.
Cookies are not harmful. They cannot carry viruses or install malware on your device.
📋 What Cookies Does Evergreen Hideout Use?
I use three types of cookies on this website:
1. Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)
These cookies are required for the website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation and access to secure areas. You cannot disable these if you want to use the site.
- What they do: Keep the website working
- How long they last: Session-based (deleted when you close your browser)
- Can you disable them? No – the site won't work properly
2. Analytics Cookies (Performance)
These cookies help me understand how visitors interact with my website. They tell me which pages are most popular, how long people stay, and if there are any technical issues. This helps me create better content for gardeners like you.
- What they do: Collect anonymous usage data
- How long they last: Up to 2 years
- Can you disable them? Yes – the site still works
3. Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)
Evergreen Hideout participates in the Google AdSense program. These cookies help Google show you ads that are relevant to your interests. Without them, you might see random ads that don't relate to you.
- What they do: Personalize ads based on your browsing
- How long they last: Up to 540 days (varies by cookie type)
- Can you disable them? Yes – you'll still see ads, but they may be less relevant
🎯 Why Does Evergreen Hideout Use Cookies?
I use cookies for three simple reasons:
- To keep the site running: Essential cookies make sure everything works
- To improve content: Analytics help me understand what gardeners find helpful
- To fund the site: AdSense cookies enable advertising, which helps cover hosting costs and keeps Evergreen Hideout free for everyone
I don't use cookies to sell your personal information. I don't track you across the internet for marketing purposes. I'm just a gardener sharing what I've learned.
⚙️ How to Manage or Disable Cookies
You have control over cookies. Here's how to manage them:
Option 1: Use Your Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. Here are links to instructions for popular browsers:
Option 2: Opt Out of Personalized Ads
If you want to disable personalized advertising from Google, you can visit:
Option 3: Use the Cookie Banner
When you first visit Evergreen Hideout, you'll see a cookie consent banner at the bottom of the screen. You can choose to Accept or Decline non-essential cookies there.
📊 Google AdSense & Third-Party Cookies
Evergreen Hideout uses Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website and other sites on the internet.
Google's advertising cookies enable it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to my site and/or other sites on the internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings.
For more information, please review:
🔒 Your Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you have certain rights regarding your personal information:
South African Users (POPIA)
Under the Protection of Personal Information Act, you have the right to know what personal information is collected and to request its correction or deletion.
California Users (CCPA/CPRA)
Under California law, you have the right to opt out of the "sale" of your personal information. Evergreen Hideout does not sell your personal information.
European Users (GDPR)
Under the General Data Protection Regulation, you have the right to withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact me at evergreenhideout@gmail.com.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Will the site still work if I disable cookies?
Yes, mostly. Essential cookies keep the site functioning, but if you disable all cookies, some features may not work perfectly. You'll still be able to read content.
Do cookies collect my personal information?
No. Cookies do not collect information like your name, address, or phone number. They collect anonymous data like which pages you visit and your browser type.
Why do I see ads for things I searched for?
Google uses your browsing history to show you relevant ads. This is called personalized advertising. You can opt out of this at any time through Google Ad Settings.
Do you use cookies to track me across other websites?
No. I don't run any cross-site tracking. Google AdSense does use cookies to show relevant ads based on your activity across the web, but I don't control or access that data.
How long do cookies last?
It depends on the cookie. Some are deleted when you close your browser (session cookies). Others last longer (persistent cookies) so that the website remembers your preferences between visits.
📝 Changes to This Policy
I may update this Cookie Consent page from time to time to reflect changes in my practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. I will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated page with a new "Last Updated" date.
I encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how I use cookies.
📞 Contact Me
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding cookies or your privacy, please don't hesitate to contact me:
Kutlwano Mokoena
Email: evergreenhideout@gmail.com
Phone/WhatsApp: 067 104 4675
Location: Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa
I'll do my best to respond within 48 hours.
🌿 Summary
- 🍪 Essential cookies: Required for the site to work
- 📊 Analytics cookies: Help me understand what content you find useful
- 🎯 AdSense cookies: Show you relevant ads and keep the site free
- ⚙️ You can manage cookies: Through your browser settings or Google Ad Settings
- 🔒 I don't sell your data: Evergreen Hideout does not sell personal information
- 🌍 Your rights: POPIA, CCPA, and GDPR protections apply
By continuing to use Evergreen Hideout, you consent to the use of cookies as described on this page.
🌱 Thank you for trusting me with your privacy. Happy gardening!
NPO Registration: 2024 / 380375 / 07
📍 Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa
© 2026 Evergreen Hideout. All rights reserved. Made with care in Pretoria, South Africa.
Please also review our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Disclaimer for more information.