Surveys Show Need for Increased Homeowner Education About How Lawn & Garden Activities Impact the Environment MARYSVILLE, Ohio, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent research revealed 93 percent of Americans would be willing to change their lawn and garden activities if it would make a difference in the environment. This data and more was released during a special media Web conference held last Thursday to discuss consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding lawns, gardens and the environment, and to present the latest research and tips on environmental stewardship practices. The event was led by industry experts from the Garden Writers Association, the National Gardening Association, The New York Botanical Garden, and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Research conducted by ScottsMiracle-Gro revealed that homeowners really do care about the issue of lawn care and the environment, but their behavior proves a need for more education. Seventy-three percent of homeowners agreed their individual behavior can make a difference in maintaining a healthy environment. However, only 25 percent of respondents said they proactively take personal action to ensure a safer environment. Research by the National Gardening Association very closely mirrored findings of the research recently completed by ScottsMiracle-Gro. The research results found that only three out of 12 environmentally friendly lawn and landscape practices were used by more than half of all U.S. homeowners with a yard or garden. The panelists expressed their personal commitments and strong desire to help educate the public about taking some simple steps to improve the environment while also maintaining a healthy lawn and beautiful garden. "Almost everything you buy comes with an owner's manual," said Bruce Butterfield, Research Director of the National Gardening Association. "But when you buy your home, you don't get an owner's manual for your yard. We believe journalists and educators can join us and play an important role in communicating how some very simple measures can impact the environment in a positive way." "As a leader in our industry, ScottsMiracle-Gro believes it is our duty to help educate homeowners," said Rich Martinez, Chief Environmental Officer of ScottsMiracle-Gro. "If we can broaden our outreach to both our consumers and the public at large, then our data suggests they will take some simple steps that will have a significant impact on the environment." A few key environmental stewardship practice tips from the expert panelists: -- Use the right cultural practices and plant varieties to ensure natural plant vigor -- Apply fertilizer and water at recommended rates -- Sweep up grass clippings to return nutrients to the soil -- Sweep fertilizer off pavement to keep out of water sources -- Choose the right products for the job and spot treat problem areas with a ready-made product that you don't have to mix yourself About ScottsMiracle-Gro With more than $2 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. 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 http://www.scotts.com/ . For more information, contact: Garden Writers Hotline 312-240-2876 DATASOURCE: The Scotts Miracle-Grow Company CONTACT: Garden Writers Hotline, +1-312-240-2876 Web site: http://www.scotts.com/

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