What is the problem with Miracle Grow soil?

Author: Dr. Zita O'Connell  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

The problem with MG is that the nitrogen is derived from synthetic ammonium and water soluble nitrates, producing off-chemicals that are harmful to soil microbes, worms, and all other forms of life in the soil.

Why not use Miracle-Gro soil?

Miracle-Gro Has a Negative Impact on Your Garden Soil

Your plants will get a quick boost of nutrients, but what'll happen is your soil health and fertility will actually decrease. That's right. Using synthetic fertilizers disrupts your soil pH and leads to a buildup of salts and chemicals your plants can't use.

Why is Miracle-Gro killing my plants?

The reason for this is that the Miracle-Gro product is too dense and could become compacted and water-logged, limiting airspace for plant roots, possibly causing death of the plant. No scientific research was found that this product contains heavy metals including arsenic.

What is the Scotts Miracle-Gro controversy?

Scotts Miracle-Gro Leaders Sued Over Debt-to-Earnings Surprise. Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. directors and officers engaged in a scheme to unload excess inventory into distribution channels to prop up sales figures and stay in compliance with debt covenants, an investor alleges.

Where does Miracle-Gro soil come from?

Every bag of Miracle-Gro soil is sourced, produced, and used within a 120-mile radius (on average). We use around 3.4 million pounds of recycled bark in our soils each year. Our plant food jugs are made from 25 percent recycled plastic, and can be washed and repurposed when empty.

TRUTH ABOUT MIRACLE GRO.?..😮

What is the difference between Miracle Grow garden soil and potting soil?

Potting mix is meant to stand alone, as opposed to being mixed in with existing soils. It is a self-contained product designed to provide potted plants with everything they need to grow and thrive. Garden soil is meant to be spread around. Mix garden soil in with your native dirt to improve it.

What chemicals are in Miracle Grow soil?

The main ingredients in Miracle-Gro are exactly the same ones you will find in any fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. NPK.

Is Miracle-Gro owned by Monsanto?

The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle- Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto.

How long is Miracle-Gro potting soil good for?

A: Miracle-Gro Potting Soil Mix has no shelf life or expiration. The fertilizer in this product will last indefinitely if stored properly in a cool dry place.

Why did Scotts Miracle-Gro stock drop?

The continuing losses disappointed investors causing a selloff in shares. Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) announced its results for the full year and fourth quarter ended September 30, 2024. Sales increased and beat analysts' estimates, but huge losses continue to bedevil the company.

What is better than Miracle-Gro?

As opposed to Miracle-Gro which offers synthetic NPK (Nitrogen - N, Phosphorus - P & Potassium - K) and little else, Neptune's Harvest products, made from fresh North Atlantic fish, contain vitamins, micro and macro nutrients, amino acids, and natural growth hormones.

Why is Miracle Grow toxic?

Harmful to Human Health

The primary ingredients in synthetic fertilizers like Miracle-Gro are urea nitrogen and ammonium sulfate. When exposed to the air, these compounds can create a greenhouse gas that damages human lungs. Nitrogen can build up in the human body when it isn't detoxified fast enough by the liver.

Can I use Miracle Grow every time I water my plants?

Choose Your Feeding Style

Measure and mix it directly into your watering can and pour the solution around the bases of your plants, or use with your hose in a sprayer (like the Miracle-Gro® Garden Feeder) for larger areas. Plan to feed every 7 to 14 days.

Can you grow tomatoes in Miracle-Gro potting soil?

Sow three tomato seeds per pot, in Miracle-Gro® Seed Starting Potting Mix. Seeds usually germinate in 5 to 10 days. When the first set of wavy-edged leaves appear, thin seedlings by snipping off all but the strongest one.

What is the best plant food?

The best fertilisers to help your indoor plants thrive
  • Ecofective Houseplant Pour & Feed. ...
  • Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics All Purpose Concentrate. ...
  • Vitax Orchid Feed. ...
  • Envii Allgrow. ...
  • Westland Bonsai Feed Concentrate. ...
  • Miracle-Gro® Drip & Feed for Orchids. ...
  • Envii Seafeed Xtra. ...
  • Westland Cacti and Succulent Feed.

Is Miracle-Gro toxic to dogs?

A: There are no pesticides in the product. While we do not recommend feeding it to pets, to our knowledge there should not be any adverse reaction if a pet were to accidentally consume Miracle-Gro Miracle-Gro for Christmas Trees. Just like people, some animals have more sensitivity.

Is 10 year old fertilizer still good?

The general answer is no, fertilizer does not go bad if it is properly stored. Fertilizer is made up of a variety of natural minerals and elements that do not break down over time allowing you to store your unused fertilizer from year to year.

Is there a difference between Miracle Grow potting mix and potting soil?

Potting soil vs. potting mix: Though these terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference. Potting soil may or may not contain soil, while potting mix is strictly a soilless medium. Potting mix is sterile, which makes it safer for plants because it doesn't contain pathogens such as fungus or other diseases.

Does potting soil in a bag go bad?

3. How Long Can You Store Potting Soil? Opened bags of new potting soil can retain quality for around 6 to 12 months. For unopened and unused potting soil, you can store it for about a year or two before it goes bad.

What is Monsanto called now?

The sale closed on June 7, 2018; Bayer announced its intent to discontinue the Monsanto name, with the combined company operating solely under the Bayer brand.

Where does Miracle-Gro get its soil?

Where does your dirt come from? Our Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil is locally crafted, meaning your soil was manufactured on average less than 150 miles from the stores in which it is sold (excluding AK and HI).

Why is Monsanto banned?

Heavy use of and lobbying in favour of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides and herbicides meant Monsanto was regularly targeted by environmental campaigners. Monsanto products have been found to be toxic to the environment and human health.

Why not to use Miracle Grow soil?

The problem with MG is that the nitrogen is derived from synthetic ammonium and water soluble nitrates, producing off-chemicals that are harmful to soil microbes, worms, and all other forms of life in the soil.

Does Miracle-Gro go bad?

Plant food like Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food should not expire if stored properly and kept in a dry and cool space where the particles won't get wet. However, some plant foods, especially organic ones, contain microbes which can eventually expire.

Is Miracle Grow soil acidic or alkaline?

Our liquid products are formulated to have a pH between 6 and 7 (close to neutral). So with this product, when it's dissolved in water at the recommended rate, it will have a pH around 5, but that also depends on the water quality. Helpful?

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