Miracle or Misfortune?

Potting soil or mix. It is likely the #1 bagged soil item that garden centers sell to their customers. Used for any container, pot, basket, window box, planter, and even to amend existing soil, good potting mix is essential for successful gardening.

We have said to our customers many times, all potting soil/mixes are not created equal. You usually get what you pay for. We have done numerous tests on the cheaper bags of potting mix you find (usually just top soil with a little fibrous material added), and the plant performance compared to good quality potting mix is significant... poor quality potting mix = poor plant performance.

So, for years we have sold our PGM, or Professional Grower's Mix. It is a balanced soil-less mix, and one that we and our customers have had tremendous success with. However, with the impact and marketing that Miracle Gro has had on the gardening industry, we have carried Miracle Gro's Potting Mix the last few years. It is more expensive than our own PGM size for size, but Miracle Gro has always been a good name (we have had good success with their other products) and customers are familiar with the brand and demand it.

But is it really THAT good?

As stated, we have had great success selling and using Miracle Gro's fertilizer and other products. But in the few years we have carried Miracle Gro's Potting Mix, we have had increasing complaints of poor plant performance when using it. Customers have complained that they have done everything they always do with regards to watering, feeding, conditions, etc... except for the soil they used, they tried MG's soil.

Now, to be sure, these complaints are few. The vast majority of people who have purchased MG's Potting Mix do not complain to us of any problems. Still, the complaints that do come to us are increasing in frequency, enough to warrant further testing.

That is where we stand right now with this issue. Miracle or Misfortune? Our own testing continues, in addition to working with numerous customers on tests comparing the two different mixes. We will post again when we know more facts.

Do you have praise or a complaint for Miracle Gro's Potting Mix? If so, post it, we'd love to hear from you!