Company answers more than 1.5 million questions annually MARYSVILLE, Ohio, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For Ed Billmaier and his team of 200 lawn and garden experts at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, spring is a particularly busy time as the more than 30 million U.S. homeowners in the do-it-yourself (DIY) lawn care market begin their lawn and landscape projects. Billmaier, senior director, relationship and interactive marketing for ScottsMiracle-Gro, oversees the Company's consumer telephone helpline, which fields more than 1.5 million calls each year. In 1972, ScottsMiracle-Gro was the first organization to activate a toll- free, nationwide consumer helpline to the public. Company representatives are available to answer consumer questions in English, Spanish and French (Canadian). For 35 years, the helpline has maintained a long-standing tradition of helping people grow a healthy lawn. "Homeowners view and trust ScottsMiracle-Gro as the authority on lawn and garden," said Billmaier. "We are here to provide information and resources to help people achieve their lawn and garden objectives." The following are some of the most common consumer questions and answers from the Scotts Helpline: - How do I Plant Grass Seed? Choose an appropriate seed for your area. If the soil is poor, you may need to add several inches of topsoil or compost. Prepare the seed bed by having the area plowed or use a rototiller to till the top few inches of soil. Sow the seed evenly with a spreader. Apply Scotts(R) Starter(R) Fertilizer to help new seedlings develop faster and grow into a thicker, greener lawn. To keep the top inch of soil moist, use mulch and water frequently, not deeply. - What are Best Practices for Lawn Watering? It's important to use our natural water resources carefully. The appearance of your lawn will tell you when it is time to water. You will see the leaves begin to wilt or the lawn develop a bluish cast when water is needed. If rain does not fall, the time between needed irrigations is about five days for light sandy soils and up to 20 days for heavy clay soils. Deep and infrequent watering is recommended (i.e., 1/2 inch twice a week). Early morning to afternoon is the best time to water, in order to allow it to dry out before evening, at which time fungus may potentially develop. - What Setting Should I Use on My Spreader? Whether spreading seed or fertilizer, instructions for many brands of spreaders can be found right on the bag. Always follow label directions to ensure the best results. - Why and How Do I Aerate my Lawn? Aeration is a way to improve water penetration and allow the grass roots to expand by reducing soil compaction and thatch reduction. Aeration is done through the mechanical removal of plugs (cores) of soil, which are left on the lawn to disintegrate. Afterward, break up the "cores" by raking and then lightly water. Many lawn service providers offer aeration or equipment is usually available to rent locally. Fall or spring is best time to aerate cool season grasses, while warm season grasses should be aerated mid- spring to summer, after dormancy. - How Do I De-Thatch my Lawn? Thatch is the layer of dead or decaying plant material (i.e., stems and crowns of dead grass plants, between soil and green vegetation). Thatch more than 1/2 inch thick interferes with absorption of water, air and nutrients into the soil; it can also be a breeding ground for insects and diseases. De-thatching is done with a machine available at local rental locations that uses metal tines to comb through and remove thatch. Thatching is best done in the fall on cool season grasses, while warm season grasses should be aerated in mid- spring to summer after they come out of dormancy. Afterward, rake debris and lightly water. - How Do I Repair Dog Damage to the Lawn? Dog urine damage appears as brown or dead spots on the lawn. Urine has high levels of nitrogen, which can cause the grass to become greener, but often, too much causes damage. To help prevent negative effects, immediately water the area to dilute nitrogen. In extreme cases, reseeding may be needed. Many garden supply stores sell repellents or your veterinarian may be able to provide a solution. Most unusual question received: - Will Miracle-Gro(R) make hair grow on my head? Miracle-Gro(R) is for plants, not people. It won't make you smarter, taller or better looking, but it can be a key ingredient to growing a beautiful garden. For more information on how to maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn, visit http://www.scotts.com/ or call 1-800-543-TURF (8873). About ScottsMiracle-Gro With more than $2.7 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(R), 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), the 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 http://www.scotts.com/. DATASOURCE: Scotts Miracle-Gro Company CONTACT: Su Lok of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, +1-937-578-5169, or Web site: http://www.scotts.com/

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