Miracle-Gro® Expand ‘n Gro™ Concentrated Planting Mix #review

This post brought to you by Scotts®. All opinions are 100% mine.

For the past several years, we’ve been using more and more pots, containers and raised beds in our gardening activities. I’ve fallen for lower priced bagged soils in the past and have always regretted it. There just isn’t as good a quality with those “bargain” soil mixes that include sticks, large rock hard clumps and a smelly odor. Now that I’m a bit more aware of the different types of bagged soil available, I almost always turn to Miracle-Gro mixes. I was recently sent a bag of the newest Miracle-Gro – Expand ‘n Gro™ Concentrated Planting Mix to try out.

Expand ‘n Gro™ is a specially formulated planting mix that was designed to transform your soil into the ideal growing environment for plants, both inside and out — potted or not. This new mix is made up of a unique blend of Miracle‐Gro plant food and coconut coir fiber. Coir fibers are the short fibers and the pith leftover after the coconut meat and longer fibers have been used for other products. These coir fibers are what allow Expand ‘n Gro™ to be a lightweight/easy to carry, yet powerful soil amendment that can hold up to 50% more moisture than regular potting soils. 

Benefits of using Expand ‘n Gro™

• Up to 3X the Flowers and Vegetables!* *versus native soil 
• Significantly improves soil for multiple years 
• Concentrated planting mix expands up to 3X when water is added 
• Feeds for up to 6 months 
• All natural fibers hold up to 50% more water than basic potting soil

What do I think?

Expand ‘n Gro™ really does expand quite a bit! I decided to do a quick side-by-side comparison of the mix straight out of the bag {left} and then after being “watered” {right}. 

As you can see, there is quite a difference in the amount of soil in each pile. I used one small pot to measure a scoop onto the left side. Then I used the same amount mixed with one pot of water on the right side. There was close to three times the amount of soil after the mix had soaked up the water! I love that this test really proves to me that the soil does what it is supposed to do — it expands to retain and hold the water so that my plants will stay healthier and hopefully grow bigger and better!

A few other things that I’m loving about Expand ‘n Gro™:

• The bag is resealable! Love this, means I can keep moisture out and easily store it.
• The bag is super light!
• it’s pretty! Really, I love the way the soil looks all fluffy and it’s  just a pretty mix both dry and expanded. {yes, I’m weird}
• The mix does NOT have any odor that I can tell! I hate smelly soil mixes!
• The mix also contains plant food to last up to 6 months! This is great because I never remember to feed my plants!
• One small bag will cover 8 square feet of ground space.
• Or, will fill four 12″ pots!

Where to purchase?

You’ll find Expand ‘n GroTM available at lawn and garden retailers in the Midwest, Northeast and Texas. Please visit the Expand ‘n Gro™ website for in-store availability information for your area. Also available at Amazon.com.

Win It!

Leave me a comment telling me what you’re planting in your garden this year and you could be eligible to win your FREE SAMPLE of Expand ‘n Gro. {Giveaway is for a 3.5 oz sample – enough to fill a 6″ pot and a $3.00 off coupon good until 8/2012 – open to United States residents only. giveaway ends 4/08/12 11:59pm EST, winner will be drawn using Random.org and contacted by email.}