Recently there was a discussion about how bad this product was for organic growers. As the company (Scotts) is not that far from me I decided to try and get to the bottom of the controversy.I ask two questions; #1, What makes Miracle-Gro Organic Choice products "organic"? And #2, What materials are used in the manufacture of Organic Choice Products.

#1 The product is formulated using only all-natural, organic materials (materials that are derived from plants or animals). They contain a natural, low odor fertilizer, high quality sphagnum peat moss, composted bark, and a wetting agent derived from the yucca plant.
Scotts has partnered with large poultry companies, of which there are many in our area, to use poultry litter from their facilities. The litter is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria and weed seeds, converting it into a high-quality, low odor plant fertilizer.

#2 Scotts is one of the world's largest recyclers of organic materials. The following items may be found in many Organic Choice products;ash,manure,sawdust,water sediment,bark,rice hulls, and yard waste. The company recycles up to 1 1/2 million tons annualy that are otherwise destined for landfills or other waste streams.

The above was taken from correspondence with representives from Scots and from their corporate web sites.

I know there are those who will still disagree that the products are not organic but just because the name on the product is Miracle-Gro doesn't make it bad. I think the company is on its way to becoming a leading manufacture of organic products.

That is very good to know, thanks for posting this.

I was at the store the other day and read the label on their organic soil -- maybe it's just me, but the wording gave me the heebie-jeebies and I just couldn't bring myself to buy it.

I think some sort of seal indicating the product was independently checked would have been helpful.

There is nothing about this product that is in fact cost effective. More over there is nothing you've noted that makes this amything more than a drsssed up bio-solids scam.

If it a Scotts product it aint organic, and is a rip off.

Even if you could trust this company many of us just believe that purchasing any product from them should not be done since it helps support Agribusiness, not something most of us are interested in doing.

I was in Lowes the other day and wanted to get some potting soil. I looked at all the indoor, outdoor soils and what disturbed me was that everything was Scott's. Since this "organic" product came along, they appear to have cornered the market in soils. Fortunatly, there was still one little pile of Eco products and I picked up a bag of compost to work into regular old dirt.

In my old hippie mind, this organic choice product is worse than just what's on the label, it's the ultimate way for Scott's to squeeze out the legitimate smaller businesses who have been pioneering marketing of organic products over the past twenty years.

Just my opinion, but look at the evidence next time you're at the box store.

maggie

I have to agree with yall. After a little bit of careful consideration I passed over the fancy stuff for the locally produced potting medium. Same logic as buying local produce I recon.

Kimm, Maggie, I too wish to not support agribusiness, besides, my earthworms have blessed me with castings that no commercial product can compete with. We planted our maters about 3 weeks ago with just the top 2 inches pokin out. They are now over 2 feet tall and beginning to produce tiny fruits! Yaaay worms!

I AM NOT TRYING TO GET ANYONE TO BUY WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BUY. I JUST PRESENTED THE FACTS AS THEY TRULY ARE. AND NO TOM C THEY ARE NOT JUST DRESSED-UP BIO-SOLIDS.

AS FOR ME, I WILL STILL MAKE MY OWN ORGANIC FERTILIZER.

Hi, I purchased Scots "organic potting mix" and it wouldn't get wet. The performance compared to a cheaper more traditional soil-less mix was awful. The seedlings didn't get enough air.
Big green thumb's down. Wouldn't buy it again.

Scotts earned my irreversible emnity when they filed their SLAPP suit against Terra-Cycle.

Scotts is trying to corner the market in gardening products and they have very nearly succeeded. They are doing so at the expense of hundreds of small closely held family businesses that have been catering to the needs of small organic growers and farmers for years.

Their practices are deceptive, unethical, and immoral.

I was at 3 different stores today and seen 7 different kinds of lawn fertilizer. I hardy think that would be called cornering the market.