
Pop ups like you describe are almost universal when I browse internet sites. There is no fee to join; it is simply a request to "stay in touch". Websites depend on advertising dollars to pay staff. Advertising income goes up with increased visits to the website which emails hope to bring. While the service is offered for free, there still are bills to pay. I am not an employee of this website, just an experienced gardener who finds the information useful and who shares gardening wisdom with others who write in with questions. If you don't want to give your email, simply click the X in the upper right corner of the pop-up. You still have access to the website.