Latest news with #Miracle-Gro
Hamilton Spectator
28 minutes ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Communities in Bloom Contest Expands to Recognize Yards Across Portage and Southport
A new local beautification initiative is set to launch this summer, aiming to recognize outstanding yards and green spaces in both Portage la Prairie and Southport as part of this year's Communities in Bloom efforts. Cathie McFarlane, a board member with Communities in Bloom Manitoba, said the idea for the contest came after learning the joint Portage and Southport application was not eligible for a national Miracle-Gro competition. Rather than let the opportunity go, the local committee decided to create a homegrown version of their own. 'We thought doing our own contest might actually work out better for residents,' said McFarlane. 'People might be more enthused when it's community-led.' The contest will run from June 23 to August 6, with six properties chosen as winners — four within the City of Portage la Prairie and two in Southport. Committee members from both communities will tour neighbourhoods to identify the standout front yards. Judging will focus solely on the front of properties. 'We're not going into anyone's backyard — just what's visible from the street,' McFarlane said. 'That way it stays respectful and simple.' This year's competition is also expanding beyond residential properties to include commercial properties and non-profit organizations, aligning more closely with the Communities in Bloom goal of fostering civic pride and community involvement. 'We want everyone — individuals, businesses, and organizations — to take pride in their spaces and help make the community cleaner and more welcoming,' McFarlane said. Winners will receive a $15 gift certificate from a local business, with the specific vendors still to be determined. In addition, lasting recognition will be planted in the form of shrubs at a public location in each community. In Portage la Prairie, new shrubs will be added to a section of Island Park to honour the city's winning participants. Southport's winners will be similarly recognized with plantings in one of the many public green spaces in that community. To mark each winning yard, custom 'Communities in Bloom' signs will be designed and placed. Portage Signs & Lettering is currently developing the signage in collaboration with a Southport graphic artist. Throughout the summer, organizers also plan to photograph each winning yard with its sign and may share the photos publicly — though McFarlane noted private homeowner identities and addresses will remain confidential to respect privacy. Business and non-profit names, however, may appear in photos where appropriate. 'There aren't strict rules,' said McFarlane. 'Judges will be looking for yards that are tidy, well-maintained, and show a bit of creativity — whether through flowers, shrubs, or simply a clean, cared-for space.' — Renée Lilley is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Portage Graphic. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- General
- Buzz Feed
32 Things To Get If You Want To Buckle Down And Get Your Life In Order
A sleek handheld steamer for turning wrinkly balls of fabric back into the pristine garments they were before you left them in the bottom of your closet. It heats up in just 20 seconds (!!!), so you can freshen up outfits right before you step out the door. And you really can't beat the price for how effective it is. A productivity cube so you can start time-blocking your day. It's a lot easier to focus on laundry or spreadsheets when you know a phone break is only 20 minutes away. And you can also use it to ensure your phone break is only 20 minutes long. ;) A weekly pill organizer designed with detachable compartments and push-through silicone lids so you can easily organize your pills at the beginning of the week without accidentally knocking the whole operation over and having to start from the beginning. A Ziploc bag organizer that pulls out so you can get a proper gander at your wonderful selection of shredded cheese. You can also install this in your freezer if you like to store your leftovers in bags. A habit tracker to encourage desired behaviors — anything from drinking more water to remembering to stretch. It breaks down into daily and weekly tasks, so you can fully appreciate your mini accomplishments. A two-section Joseph Joseph hamper so you can separate your light and dark laundry *now* instead of struggling to do it at the laundromat. The included bags make it easy to go right from hamper to machine. Plus, the lid contains smells and hides your unmentionables. A CovoBox made from reclaimed books and sustainable wood that's hollow on the inside, so you can hide your router, cable box, or other unsightly wires. Now you can look neat *and* well-read. A Howard Products Feed-N-Wax wood polish and conditioner to give your furniture an impossibly lustrous shine previously never seen in your home. The carnauba wax and beeswax enhance and protect your wood from drying out, so you can keep your great-grandmother's rocking chair in tip-top shape with just a few swipes. A document holder for your registration, insurance papers, and AAA card. If you really want to eliminate glovebox clutter, you can slip your emergency napkins into the roomy sleeve. Heavy-duty cord wraps so you finally take care of the hoses and extension cords that keep tripping you on your way to the car. All you need is some wall space and a hook to make it happen. An adjustable rod that hangs onto the one in your closet so you can double your storage space in a flash. There's no mounting hardware — just unbox and hang. It's time to finally get rid of the shirt pile in your bedroom corner! A pack of Arm & Hammer dog wipes so you can keep pets fresh between baths. Use 'em for freshening up coats, muzzles, paws, and butts. The glycerin, aloe, and oat extract moisturize, and the mango scent is sure to be a hit — at least, it's way better than wet dog smell stinking up the house. A pack of Miracle-Gro water storing crystals that'll prevent both under- *and* over-watering, which I believe are the top two killers of plants. When you water your houseplants, the crystals retain the moisture and release it as the soil dries. An organizer happy to store all your increasingly complicated passwords. At least 12 characters, including a symbol, number, capital letter, ancient rune, and the fleeting details of a half-remembered dream? COME ON! A silicone freezing tray that lets you section your leftover food into perfect frozen portions so you don't have to unfrost your entire vat of black beans every time you want a single serving. It's also oven-safe up to 415 degrees so you can bake little slices of brownies or bread. It comes with a lid to help maintain freshness and keep out odors. It's made of food-safe silicone that's BPA free and dishwasher safe. It's great for little sides of beans, sauces, soups, and more. Souper Cubes is a small business that also sells cookie trays and stoneware. Promising review: "So happy that I found these. I'm the only one in my household who enjoys soup year-round. Have you ever tried to make homemade soup for one? I say it's impossible! But no longer. I can brew up the stock pot with bone broth or my favorite home soup. Fill up my Souper Cubes, freeze, pop out, store my goodies in a freezer bag, and I'm ready for the next batch!" —Debbie R. TexasCheck out my colleague's Souper Cubes it from Amazon for $19.95. A magnetic meal planning pad with a detachable shopping list for when you want to really commit to cooking at home. Will having everything organized help you finally use the entire bag of lettuce? Only time will tell. A sturdy car organizer that'll make you feel a little better about all the random junk rolling around your car. Once everything is neatly organized, it will feel like it belongs there. Noooo, that's not a bottle of laundry detergent I forgot to bring inside — it's there for emergencies on road trips. 🙂↕️ A cutie pie planner to help you be a busy bee, or more likely a take-it-slow sloth. There's room for appointments, errands, and people to in due time. A Nooni tinted appleberry lip oil if you normally forgo lip care because you're sick of ones that leave your pout feeling sticky, dry, or messy. The apple seed and raspberry extract-infused oil offers long-lasting hydration and a touch of color without you having to stress about it transferring or smudging. A set of extra mini drawers that clip onto your shelves so you can easily grab what you need instead of having to remove half the contents of your fridge just to get to the mayo. Burn After Writing — a guided journal with questions and thought experiments that encourage readers to reflect, explore their feelings, and get to know themselves a little deeper. The first step to bettering yourself is knowing where to start, after all. A silverware sorter that takes up very little space in your drawer but can fit up to 24 pieces of cutlery. Plus, with a newly organized drawer, you don't have to worry about ladles or tongs jamming things up. A massive collection of white crew socks because Zoomers have decreed ankle socks passé. These simple Hanes socks are thick, comfortable, cheap — and most importantly, uniform, so folding laundry will be sooo much faster. A magnetic whiteboard where you can designate a household chore schedule because doing dishes is a drag, but arguing with your roommate about them is even worse. A four-sided cleaning brush to breathe new life into your salt-stained boots. It'll remove the scuff marks and stains that have marred your suede shoes for an instantly more polished look. A fancy laptop bag that's a little more elevated than a backpack or say, an ancient Trader Joe's canvas tote. The faux reptile pattern and trendy shape make this piece feel more like an accessory than something designed to lug a 15-inch laptop around. An affordable sunrise alarm clock you'll really appreciate when you have to wake up before the sun. The device has seven natural sounds and will gradually brighten to simulate a sunrise so you can pretend you're not waking up at an ungodly hour. A colorful keyboard (and matching mouse!) in case you've seen all those TikTok desk setups and started to feel a bit jealous. Maybe you'll finally get some work done now that your set-up is this cute. Or a lightweight lap desk if you're not quite ready to work from a desk — the call of the couch is just too strong! With the help of the wrist rest, phone holder, and built-in mouse pad, you can extend couch time indefinitely. A tote organizer that has two vital functions: 1. brings order to your chaotic bag that weirdly has no pockets and 2. lets you transport all your stuff with one fluid motion. A Chom Chom pet hair remover if you'd prefer your furniture to be fur-free. It has a sticky roller (no wasteful adhesive strips) that clings to hair and deposits it into a built-in compartment. You can tell Fido to stay off the couch all you want, but dogs don't speak Human! Instead, use this reusable roller to reclaim your seating. A set of Command spray bottle hangers to stick to the inside of a cabinet door for easy storage, so you can grab the multi-cleaner *the second* you hear food hit the floor.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
ScottsMiracle-Gro Partners With Farm-to-Schools Program in Columbus: Bringing the School Community Together
In part three of this three part series, we explore how the Columbus City Schools (CCS) student Green Team built an ambassador team that shared their community garden with other students and other clubs. While the subject is about gardening, the gardening program is also about their social and emotional wellness. The magic that grows as kids discover gardening Our purpose to GroMoreGood takes many forms. One of those special moments happened with Columbus City Schools in Ohio, where the magic of a single idea blossomed beyond its original intent and became something bigger, something greater. The growth journey of the Columbus City Schools program epitomizes GroMoreGood. A new generation of kids is developing a lifelong connection to the earth. The idea Early in her career, school teacher Katie Young had a writing assignment for her students that was based on a simple question: Do you know where food comes from? Not one of the students answered that it comes from the earth. Katie knew this had to change. In 2018, the Columbus City Schools Farm to School program was born in partnership with ScottsMiracle-Gro, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and The Ohio State University Extension. Teachers were given tools and Miracle-Gro supplies to teach kids how to create, tend to and harvest gardens full of fresh vegetables. Starting to grow The initial group of teachers embraced the program, and students did, too. Soon, more schools and teachers were brought into the program, and it started delivering results that exceeded all original expectations. Benefits beyond expectations Students experienced mental health benefits from touching the dirt and taking care of the plants on a regular basis. High school students talked about the therapeutic aspect of gardening and the way working with plants brought them a sense of peace. Another group of students created ways to invite the community to participate in the gardens, which went beyond the classroom. While elementary school students discovered that fresh foods are delicious, sometimes on their own and sometimes when added to a smoothie or pizza! Read more about ScottsMiracle-Gro and the partnership with the Columbus City Schools. Watch the video here. About ScottsMiracle-Gro With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from ScottsMiracle-Gro
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
ScottsMiracle-Gro Partners With Farm-to-Schools Program in Columbus: Beyond Your Typical Classroom
In part two of this three part series, we explore how in 2018, Columbus City Schools (CCS) partnered with Ohio State University Extension to develop a guidebook. The guidebook was shared with 46 CCS teachers who gave feedback about the guidebook. Scotts Miracle-Gro and Scotts Miracle Gro Foundation helped gather the supplies for the experience. Our purpose to GroMoreGood takes many forms. One of those special moments happened with Columbus City Schools in Ohio, where the magic of a single idea blossomed beyond its original intent and became something bigger, something greater. The growth journey of the Columbus City Schools program epitomizes GroMoreGood. A new generation of kids is developing a lifelong connection to the earth. The idea Early in her career, school teacher Katie Young had a writing assignment for her students that was based on a simple question: Do you know where food comes from? Not one of the students answered that it comes from the earth. Katie knew this had to change. In 2018, the Columbus City Schools Farm to School program was born in partnership with ScottsMiracle-Gro, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and The Ohio State University Extension. Teachers were given tools and Miracle-Gro supplies to teach kids how to create, tend to and harvest gardens full of fresh vegetables. Starting to grow The initial group of teachers embraced the program, and students did, too. Soon, more schools and teachers were brought into the program, and it started delivering results that exceeded all original expectations. Benefits beyond expectations Students experienced mental health benefits from touching the dirt and taking care of the plants on a regular basis. High school students talked about the therapeutic aspect of gardening and the way working with plants brought them a sense of peace. Another group of students created ways to invite the community to participate in the gardens, which went beyond the classroom. While elementary school students discovered that fresh foods are delicious, sometimes on their own and sometimes when added to a smoothie or pizza! Read more about ScottsMiracle-Gro and the partnership with the Columbus City Schools. Watch the video here. About ScottsMiracle-Gro With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from ScottsMiracle-Gro
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Scotts Miracle Gro Co (SMG) (Q2 2025) Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges with ...
EBITDA Guidance: Reaffirmed full-year guidance of $570 to $590 million. Net Sales: Q2 total company net sales were $1.42 billion, down 7% from $1.53 billion a year ago. US Consumer Net Sales: Q2 net sales were $1.31 billion, down 5% from $1.38 billion last year. Hawthorne Net Sales: Q2 sales declined 51% from $66 million to $33 million. Gross Margin: Improved nearly 500 basis points through the first half, with a target of 30% by fiscal year-end. SG&A Expenses: Increased 5% in Q2 from $179 million to $188 million. Adjusted EBITDA: Improved from $396 million to $403 million in Q2. Interest Expense: Decreased by $17 million to $70 million year-to-date. Net Income: Q2 GAAP net income was $217.5 million or $3.72 per share, compared to $157.5 million or $2.74 per share last year. Non-GAAP Adjusted Income: Q2 was $232.2 million or $3.98 per share, versus $211.9 million or $3.69 per share a year ago. Debt Reduction: Total debt reduced by $270 million versus prior year. Leverage: Ended Q2 at 4.41 times net debt to adjusted EBITDA. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with SMG. Release Date: April 30, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. The Scotts Miracle Gro Co (NYSE:SMG) reaffirmed its full-year guidance of $570 to $590 million of EBITDA, indicating confidence in its financial outlook. The company reported a nearly 500 basis-point recovery in gross margin and a $36 million EBITDA increase, showcasing significant financial improvement. SMG achieved a 12.1% increase in POS units, with notable growth in its garden and mulch businesses, reflecting strong consumer demand. The company is making strategic investments in innovation, such as expanding the Miracle-Gro organic line and introducing new products in the controls portfolio. SMG is on track to achieve more than $75 million in supply chain cost savings this year, contributing to its long-term goal of $150 million by fiscal '27. Total company net sales declined by 7% in the quarter, with US consumer net sales down 5%, partly due to a colder start to the lawn and garden season. Hawthorne's net sales declined 51% due to hydroponic market softness and strategic exits from low-margin distribution, impacting overall revenue. The company faces challenges in communicating its value proposition to the investment community, as reflected in its current equity price. SG&A expenses increased by 5% in the quarter, driven by higher performance-based incentives and investments in technology and e-commerce. The company is experiencing a competitive consumer landscape, with heavy retailer promotions impacting the difference between POS dollars and units. Q: Can you explain the difference between the 12% growth in units and the low single-digit growth in dollars for point of sale (POS)? A: James Hagedorn, CEO, explained that the difference is largely due to a competitive consumer landscape where retailers are heavily promoting products, leading to strong unit sales but not necessarily translating into equivalent dollar growth. The promotions are driving consumer traffic and sales, which is a positive sign of consumer engagement. Mark Scheiwer, CFO, added that the mix of products, such as soils and mulch, and heavy customer promotions are key drivers, with a 60/40 split between mix and promotions. Q: How does the company view the potential trade-down from DIFM (Do It For Me) to DIY (Do It Yourself) among consumers? A: James Hagedorn, CEO, sees it as a trade-up rather than a trade-down, as consumers can achieve better results with DIY at a lower cost. Nathan Baxter, COO, noted that while 25% of consumers surveyed indicated a shift to DIY, this is not factored into current sales guidance. Historically, 20-25% of consumers fluctuate between DIY and DIFM, and there could be a tailwind from this shift. Q: What is the company's stance on private label competition and pricing gaps? A: James Hagedorn, CEO, stated that the competitive landscape has narrowed the pricing gap between branded products and private labels due to heavy promotions. The company is focusing on driving foot traffic and leveraging its brands, while private labels still play a role for retail partners. The pricing gap remains in the 20-30% range, but promotions have closed this gap in certain categories. Q: How is the company managing its focus on unit growth while also aiming for a 35% gross margin? A: Nathan Baxter, COO, explained that focusing on units is crucial, especially in the lawns category, where pricing increases masked unit declines. The company is aligning its supply chain to support unit growth, which is essential for gross margin improvement. Mark Scheiwer, CFO, added that unit growth helps with asset utilization and cost savings, contributing to the gross margin goal. Q: What is the company's approach to leverage and potential M&A activities? A: James Hagedorn, CEO, indicated a preference for maintaining leverage between 3 to 3.5 times, which allows for favorable debt pricing and flexibility. The focus is on organic growth rather than M&A, with potential for small tuck-in acquisitions if opportunities arise. The company aims to reduce share count and prioritize shareholder-friendly actions. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
