Sustainable Benefits of Green Spaces

MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grass is so much more than a soft, green carpet beneath feet. The benefits of this plant are as numerous and diverse as the reasons for planting in the first place. Grass helps prevent soil erosion, supplies the softest play space, and cools the ambient temperature around the perfect place for picnics or star gazing. Regardless of the green space size, grass continues to be one of the most durable plants on Earth.

Caring for a lawn is simple. Mow high, feed regularly and reseed with a high quality mix. New for 2012, try a reseeding mix that seeds and feeds a lawn in one step, like Scotts Turf Builder 2-in-1 Reseeding Mix. Stronger grass means deeper roots, and a less thirsty green space. If winter has left a few problem spots on the lawn, try an all-in-one seeding mix that is guaranteed to grow anywhere, like Scotts Turf Builder EZ Seed. It contains the highest quality grass seed, a starter food to help jump start seedlings, and a super- absorbent growing material that absorbs eight times its weight in water to help keep the seeds moist.  Maintaining a greenscape by seeding and feeding your grass is as important as pruning a flowerbed or harvesting the vegetable garden, and will help crowd out weeds by keeping the grass thick.

According to Eric Nelson, Ph.D., turfgrass scientist at ScottsMiracle-Gro, "Grasses are among the most important landscape plants we have today. Although often overlooked, the environmental, functional and economic benefits of planting and maintaining a lawn are, none the less, significant. From the simple aesthetics to practical elements like controlling runoff and decreasing soil erosion, grass is a plant that really gives back!"

Grass can reduce noise pollution, lower surface temperatures to reduce air conditioning bills, filter run-off to keep our waterways pure, reduce airborne dust to improve air quality, increase curb appeal for enhanced property values – and actually improve the mental health of the humans who thrive around it. Grass can be found almost anywhere. It is able to go dormant during drought-like conditions, and return to green when rainfall increases. Another, often overlooked, benefit of grass is its ability to sequester carbon. Home lawns can store up to 1800 pounds of carbon per acre per year.

A well cared for lawn provides the softest play space on Earth and all the benefits of engaging Mother Nature.

For more information on the best grass for your region, visit www.scotts.com.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, 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. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

SOURCE The Scotts Company