Water is simply essential to life, including plants. With the limited availability of water in many regions, as well as its cost, ScottsMiracle-Gro is committed to providing products with water-saving benefits.

The Scotts® line of Water Smart® grass seeds, soils, mulches and fertilizers helps plants absorb and retain water and nutrients. Our potting mixes Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix and Miracle-Gro® Expand 'n Gro® contain ingredients that hold in moisture more than ordinary soils and release the water gradually as the plant needs it.

So, whether consumers are putting in a new lawn, feeding their grass, planting plants or mulching their landscape, we have products focused on water conservation.

"Our product innovation team is at the forefront of developing products that help consumers be successful while conserving water," said Rich Shank, chief environmental officer. "And when consumers have lawns and gardens, these are big pluses for the environment. Healthy lawns, for instance, are valuable in controlling stormwater runoff, cooling temperatures and filtering the air, just to name a few important environmental benefits."

One example of our water-saving product innovation is Scotts® Turf Builder® EZ Seed®, which is an all-in-one seeding solution great for patching projects and problem areas. When EZ Seed is scattered on the ground and watered, a super-absorbent growing material in the product holds the water, expands and surrounds the seeds with a moist, protective covering. The growing material turns a dark brown, indicating that it is holding water. When the EZ Seed product turns a light shade of brown, it alerts the homeowner that water is required. Not only does EZ Seed retain water to aid the growing process but it also eliminates the guesswork about watering for the consumer.

The same principles are in effect in our Scotts® Turf Builder® EZ Seed® Dog Spot Repair product.

Other examples of our water-wise products include:

• The Water Smart properties in Scotts® Turf Builder® grass seed also involve a super-absorbent coating, which enables the seed to absorb 100 percent more water than uncoated seed, so it can stay moist even when a watering is missed.
• Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix contains coir, a waste byproduct from coconut processing, to absorb 33% more water than ordinary soils. This product protects against over-and under-watering. It also releases water gradually as the plant needs it.
• Scotts® Nature Scapes® Advanced mulches are designed to help water drain through the mulch, helping water reach the plants and soil.
• Scotts® Turf Builder® LawnSoil™, which is used for lawn repair or overseeding, contains Water Smart properties, which improve the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients.
• Scotts® Turf Builder® and Green Max™ lawn fertilizers improve the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients. Well-fed lawns are more efficient at using available water. Feeding lawns help develop deep roots to better absorb water and nutrients than an unfed lawn. This helps protect the grass against heat, drought and other stresses.

While water is essential to life, so are plants, and ScottsMiracle-Gro is dedicated to finding innovative ways to conserve water in growing healthy lawns and gardens.

Learn more about ScottsMiracle-Gro's sustainability and environmental stewardship activities.