Miracle-Gro Expand 'n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix, Just Add Water for up to 3X Expansion, For Container and In-Ground Use, .33 cu. ft. Expands up to 1 cu. ft.

Great soil for starting new plants and repotting the large ones.

Works

THE GOOD: I've used this for a year now, and it's terrific for people who can't do a lot of heavy lifting/carrying, but love MiracleGro products. Carrying it from front step to back yard for gardening is so easy, and once the soil is wet, it expands to about twice the volume--herbs from seed, and transplanted flowers seem to love it. It matches other MG products in quality. I live in a dry desert, so haven't noticed any mold issues--and I mix a little fine sand in for draining purposes.THE BAD: Ever seen how "Gremlins" changed when they were given water? Once this bag is opened, be sure to keep any unused soil in an airtight/watertight container.THE UGLY: Same-day delivery if ordered before a certain time/& $35 total DOESN'T hold water--expect delivery in 2-3 days unless you want to pay for shipping. (Not a big deal if not promised.) Plus, this bag arrived slit down middle with contents spilled inside cardboard box-maybe manufacturer is using thinner material? Previously, the bags were delivered w/o being placed in any box at all, so packers may have noticed this flaw.

I was a little skeptical at first look. Very lite, didn’t seem like there was near enough dirt for my flower box! Then I added the water and boom! I had extra dirt. Quality you expect from Miracle Grow, convenient, easy to store and easy to carry. My only suggestion is read the ratio of water vs dirt before using! I actually ended up with to much soil.

First thing I read regarding this product's qualities: Great substitute for garden soil or potting mix. After purchasing 5 bags of this product and planting my 3 ea./20" containers I've learned that this is a soil additive. Everything is already planted and in place. Now all I can do is cross my fingers and hope my plants thrive. How misleading to advertise as a soil substitute! Hoping to ensure healthy plants I have combined a topping of chopped hay, Organic Worm Castings - All Natural Soil Amendment, Soil Builder, and Fertilizer, 3 Pound Bag, black dirt and no float Cyprus mulch. Also mixed hay mulch in the planting mix as well. Added Jobe's 06328 Bone Meal Fertilizer Spikes, 50, Natural and utilized Safer Brand 5450-6 Garden Fungicide Ready to Use 32 Ounces as a safety upgrade to stop any mulch mildew, etc. Now what to do next year as these are perennials and I do not have available free dirt of my own as I live in an apartment. What I should have done in the first place is purchase black dirt and combined that with this product. Ugh, always one step forward and 50 steps back. Hoping that my patio garden has not become my money pit :( I have begun my begonia bulbs indoors with the assistance of the Grow Light for Indoor Plant Growing LED Grow Light 9 Dimmable Settings, Horizontal Plant Growth Lamp for Indoor Plants with Red/Blue Spectrum, Adjustable Gooseneck, 3/9/12H Timer (Red). Included the Amazon product headings where applicable. Planted 04/29 and the growth rate varied while the very last one of 5 appeared on 5/30/2021. Next step is hang outdoors once the weather stabilizes with constant warmer nights, etc and wait for the blooms of my Non-Stop Begonia Red in my 14" Resin Woven Hanging Basket, Espresso Brown, Hangings Basket. My patio holds my hydrangea, dianthus, and these red begonias. Will update as the summer continues.

The **Miracle-Gro Expand 'n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix** is an innovative product designed to expand when water is added, providing more planting volume from a smaller bag. While it has some benefits, such as convenience and the ability to expand up to three times its size, there are also a few **negative aspects** that might be worth considering before purchasing. Here’s a breakdown of the drawbacks:### **Challenges and Negatives**#### **1. Uneven Expansion**One of the most common issues with the **Expand 'n Gro** mix is its **uneven expansion**. While the product claims to expand up to 3 times its size, some users have reported that the expansion isn’t consistent throughout the mix. In some cases, certain portions of the mix will expand well, while other areas remain more compacted, leading to **uneven coverage** and potential gaps in your containers or garden bed.#### **2. Needs a Lot of Water**While the idea of adding water to expand the mix is convenient, the **amount of water needed** can be quite substantial. If you're dealing with a larger garden or many containers, the amount of water required to fully expand the product can be excessive. In areas where water is scarce or expensive, this could become a **costly and inconvenient** factor.#### **3. Initial Texture and Dryness**Some users have found that the product can be **very dry** and almost hydrophobic when first unpacked, making it challenging to fully wet and activate. This dryness can result in uneven watering, and you may need to mix or agitate the soil manually to ensure that all of it gets hydrated properly. The initial texture is also quite **coarse**, which may not be suitable for more delicate plants or seeds that require a finer growing medium.#### **4. Requires Frequent Rehydration**Once the product is fully expanded, you’ll need to **keep it hydrated** to maintain its volume and effectiveness. If the mix dries out, it tends to **shrink and harden**, which can negatively impact root growth and moisture retention for your plants. This frequent need for rehydration can be a hassle, particularly in hot, dry climates where the soil mix might dry out more quickly than traditional potting mixes.#### **5. Limited Nutrient Content**While **Miracle-Gro** is known for including nutrients in its products, the **Expand 'n Gro mix** has a **limited supply of nutrients** compared to some of their other potting mixes. The concentrated mix is designed to improve soil structure and moisture retention, but it doesn't have the same long-term nutrient content as some other planting mixes. This means you’ll likely need to **supplement with fertilizers** sooner rather than later, which could add to the overall cost and effort.#### **6. Not Ideal for All Plants**Due to its coarse texture and potential issues with drying out, the **Expand 'n Gro** mix may not be suitable for all types of plants. For example, plants that prefer a finer, consistently moist soil may struggle to thrive in this mix unless you’re diligent about watering and maintaining the soil's moisture levels. It may also not be ideal for seedlings or young plants that require a more delicate environment.#### **7. Cost**While the concept of getting more soil volume through expansion is appealing, the **price per bag** can seem high compared to traditional potting mixes that don’t require expansion. When you factor in the need for frequent watering and potential supplements for nutrients, the overall **cost-effectiveness** of this product becomes a bit questionable, especially for larger gardening projects.### **Final Thoughts**While the **Miracle-Gro Expand 'n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix** offers convenience and space-saving benefits, it does come with its share of challenges. The **uneven expansion**, **dry texture**, and **need for constant hydration** can make it more labor-intensive than initially expected. Additionally, the limited nutrient content and higher cost compared to traditional planting mixes may make it less appealing for gardeners who want a low-maintenance, all-in-one solution.For those willing to invest the time in maintaining proper moisture levels and supplementing nutrients, it can be a helpful product, but for others, a more conventional potting mix might be a better option.

This stuff is incredible. A few weeks ago, I planted two tomato plants in large pots- side by side on my patio. One using regular MIRACLE GRO soil and one using MIRACLE GRO EXPAND 'N GRO. Both plants are doing well- however the one in the EXPAND 'N GRO is almost double the size. I was so impressed I just ordered (and received) another bag of the soil. It holds moisture well and is a wonder for the plants planted in it!!!