Press Release

MARYSVILLE, Ohio, March 30, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Consumer research indicates that today's homeowners care about the environment, yet they are unsure of how to be good environmental stewards. As millions of homeowners across the country begin their lawn care maintenance activities, The Scotts Company, a subsidiary of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), has embarked on an initiative to address key environmental issues and educate consumers on how to protect the environment during their lawn and garden activities by following the label directions.

Based on feedback from environmental groups, the Company has incorporated environmental best practice tips on more than 35 million Scotts(R) Turf Builder(R) brand fertilizer products. Messages, prominently featured on the packaging under the heading "Scotts & Your Environment," provide consumers with environmental tips on the benefits of growing healthy turf, as well as information on how to ensure fertilizer remains on target in order to protect our water sources.

"Enjoying the benefits of a healthy lawn and protecting the environment go hand-in-hand," said Rich Martinez, chief environmental officer for ScottsMiracle-Gro. "It is our responsibility as the largest provider of consumer lawn and garden products to help educate consumers on stewardship issues and continuously improve products through design with the environment in mind."

Bilingual instructions have also been incorporated on all Scotts(R) branded lawn product packages. A significant percentage of the Company's customer base in the do-it-yourself (DIY) market is of Hispanic or Latin American descent, where Spanish is the primary language. Providing instructions in both English and Spanish is another way to ensure products are being used correctly.

To complement these comprehensive packaging changes, Scotts introduced the patented Deluxe(TM) EdgeGuard(R) Broadcast Spreader, an innovative and easy- to-use spreader that helps ensure lawn products are applied only where they are intended - the grass. The unit features an on/off control lever, which activates a shield below the hopper that prevents fertilizer or other lawn products from being applied off target into landscaping or onto hard surfaces.

University research concludes that lawn fertilizer nutrients do not runoff when applied properly and on target. However, fertilizer left on hard surfaces can wash into storm sewers and surface waters. The likelihood of that occurring is greatly reduced with the EdgeGuard(R) spreader.

"It was important for us to design a product that not only works in conjunction with the environment, but that is also affordable and easy to operate," said Tom McGough, vice president, Marketing for Scotts. "With more than 30 million U.S. homeowners in the do-it-yourself lawn care market, the spreader is an essential tool in the creation of a healthy yard. The EdgeGuard(R) broadcast spreader delivers superior performance to help consumers achieve their lawn care goals."

For more information on how to maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn, visit us at: www.scotts.com.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

With more than $2.3 billion in worldwide sales and more than 6,000 associates, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R) brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup(R) brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. The Company also owns Smith & Hawken, a leading brand of garden-inspired products that includes pottery, watering equipment, gardening tools, outdoor furniture and live goods. Additionally, the Company owns Morning Song(R), a leading brand in the wild bird food category. In Europe, Scotts' brands include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R), Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R), KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and Substral(R). For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

SOURCE Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

Su Lok of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, +1-937-578-5169, or [email protected]

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