Lawns, Gardens and the Environment

Media Web Conference

Thursday, April 21, 20051:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern

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Speakers

• Bob LaGasse, Executive DirectorGarden Writers Association

• Rich Martinez, Chief Environmental OfficerThe Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

• Bruce Butterfield, Research DirectorNational Gardening Association

• Dr. Kim Tripp, DirectorThe New York Botanical Garden

• Dr. Terril Nell, ChairmanUniversity of Florida, Environmental Horticulture Dept.

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Rich Martinez

Chief Environmental Officer,

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

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1. How much do homeowners believe their own actions can improve the environment

2. What is their willingness to change their lawn and garden activities to improve the environment

3. How do consumers use lawn and garden products

4. Do consumers understand the possible impact of some of their actions

In implementing our environmental stewardship strategy, our market research group explored four questions:

Source: ScottsMiracle-Gro survey of 1,235 U.S. households Spring 2005

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Behavior can make a difference

• 73% of homeowners agreed that their individual behavior can make a difference in maintaining a healthy environment

• However, only 25% of homeowners said they proactively take personal action to ensure a safer environment. This number did not vary significantly by age or gender

Source: ScottsMiracle-Gro survey of 1,235 U.S. households Spring 2005

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Willingness to change

• When we asked if they would be willing to change their lawn and garden activities to improve the environment, only 3% of homeowners said no

• 42% said they would definitely be willing to adjust their behavior and nearly half (48%) said they would consider doing so

Source: ScottsMiracle-Gro survey of 1,235 U.S. households Spring 2005

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Ways consumers use lawn and garden products

• Of those who use fertilizer, only 52% of homeowners said they always sweep up excess fertilizer off the sidewalk or street after they apply it to their lawns

• Among those who mow their own lawn, 37% said they never clean up grass clippings from the street

• And 23% said they never think about the impact that their lawn and garden activities can have on the environment

Source: ScottsMiracle-Gro survey of 1,235 U.S. households Spring 2005

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Understanding runoff

• Only 48% of homeowners in our survey were aware that runoff from rainfall flows directly in rivers, lakes and streams

• Nearly a quarter of respondents thought storm water went to a treatment facility before it was sent to surface water, and a similar number of people simply didn’t know

Source: ScottsMiracle-Gro survey of 1,235 U.S. households Spring 2005

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Bruce Butterfield

Research Director,

National Gardening Association

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50-70% Follow these environmentally friendlylawn & garden practices

Behavior

% of Households with Yard or

Garden

Mil. of Households with Yard or

Garden

Keep your yard safe, clean and well-maintained to add beauty to your home and neighborhood.

67 60

Water lawn and plants only when then need it. Use water wisely.

65 59

Read and follow the label carefully when using pesticides and fertilizers.

53 47

*Source: National Gardening Association,2004 U.S. Environmental Lawn and Garden Scorecard

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30-49% Follow these environmentally friendlylawn & garden practices

Behavior

% of Households with Yard or Garden

Mil. of Households with Yard or

Garden

Leave grass clippings in place on your lawn. 45 41

Keep fertilizer, pesticide, yard and pet waste out of water sources and off pavement.

43 39

Choose and use the right plants in the right spot for your climate, sun/shade, soil and rainfall.

42 37

Apply mulch around trees, shrubs or garden areas. 42 37

Cut your lawn at the highest recommended mower setting.

39 35

Before using pesticides to control insects or weeds, make sure the problem is correctly identified and that it is the most appropriate method.

32 29

*Source: National Gardening Association,2004 U.S. Environmental Lawn and Garden Scorecard

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0-29% Follow these environmentally friendlylawn & garden practices

Behavior

% of Households with Yard or

Garden

Mil. of Households with Yard or

Garden

Recycle yard waste by composting grass clippings, leaves and other organic materials.

28 25

Learn more about how to best care for the lawn, specific plants, soil and wildlife at your home.

26 23

Use only well-adapted or native plants in your landscaping and remove poorly adapted, exotic or invasive plants.

25 23

None of the above 9 8

Don’t know 3 3

*Source: National Gardening Association,2004 U.S. Environmental Lawn and Garden Scorecard

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Dr. Kim Tripp

Director,

The New York Botanical Garden

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Integrated pest management

An approach to managing plant insect and disease problems that integrates five tools into a comprehensive, environmentally friendly strategy for maintaining healthy gardens and lawns

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Integrated pest management tools

• Optimize plant health and vigor

• Make detailed, regular observations of plants - always checking for signs of insect and disease damage

• Use preventative measures

• Use biological controls

• Conservative use of the least harmful, home gardener appropriate pesticides only when absolutely necessary

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Dr. Terril Nell

Chairman,University of Florida,

Environmental Horticulture Dept.

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Embrace environmental landscape practices that do the following:

• Build healthy lawns, plants and trees

• Absorb and use applied nutrients

• Reduce sediment loss and runoff

• Build a sustainable management program

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Build healthy lawns, plants and trees

• Apply fertilizer in the spring, summer and fall at recommended rates

• Water plants with no more than ½ inch of water at a time

• Use a low phosphorous fertilizer

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Absorb and use nutrients

• Turfgrass absorbs fertilizer nutrients and pesticides – a natural filter. Reduces runoff into streams, lakes and rivers

• Properly applied nutrients are used by the turfgrass to grow

• Care must be used to apply fertilizers to lawn, plants and trees, not sidewalks and driveways

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Reduce sediment loss

• Soil and debris runoff pollutes our streams, lakes and rivers

• A healthy sod reduces soil erosion by 94-99%

• Sodded areas reduced runoff 28-46%

• Lawns provide a natural way to reduce erosion

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Build a sustainable landscape management program

• Allow clippings to remain on the lawn

• Avoid leaving clippings, leaves or fertilizer on walks, driveways or streets

• Calibrate and monitor your irrigation system

• Control weeds to build a healthy lawn

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Summary

• Homeowners care about the environment, however, behavior proves a need for more education

• A few key tips:– Use the right cultural practices and varieties to ensure natural

plant vigor– Apply fertilizer and water at recommended rates– Sweep up grass clippings to return nutrients to the soil– Sweep fertilizer off pavement to keep out of water sources– Choose the right products for the job and spot treat problem

areas with a ready-made product that you don’t have to mix yourself

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Q&A

• To get in queue to ask a question, you can “raise your hand” by clicking on the icon located on the right hand side of your computer screen

• When we announce your name, we will take your phone off of mute and it will be your turn to speak

• We ask that you limit yourself to one question and one follow up question to ensure that the greatest number of people have the opportunity to ask their questions

Lawns, Gardens and the Environment

Media Web Conference

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For More Information

• To schedule an interview with one of today’s speakers, please call our media hotline at 312-240-2876

• To review today’s presentations, visit the Web sites for The Scott Miracle-Gro Company, the National Gardening Association and the Garden Writers Association