Here is our Miracle-Gro garden soil review. Should you use it in your gardens? Read the review to find out.
As professionals, it's always necessary to give our clients the best possible outcomes when working on their gardens. Over the years we've come to know that Miracle-Gro garden soil is a product that gives us the best results we could ever ask for. We love it and here's why...
What Is Special About Miracle-Gro Garden Soil?
You only need to look at the results to understand what is special about Miracle-Gro garden soil. Although it has a lot of composted natural ingredients, it's impossible to know every single ingredient and the amounts of each in each bag because they are not listed specifically.
Before trying Miracle-Gro we were using other various products such as compost, manure, and other organic matter in ours and our clients' gardens. We decided to try Miracle-Gro at some point many years ago and since then it's all we use.
From the first time we tried it many many years ago, we knew it was a product we would want to use consistently in our clients gardens as well as our own. Plants do grow bigger and healthier when we use it.
So the answer to what is special about Miracle-Gro garden soil can be summed up in two words: the results. The results are what is special about this product.
Miracle-Gro Garden Soil Ingredients
As mentioned previously, the ingredients are generally identified on the bag but not specific ingredients or amounts.
This is understandable.
In the world of gardening, lots of different natural ingredients can be used to make up rich garden soil. I'm sure with Miracle-Gro it's impossible to know the amount of specific ingredients in each bag because they can vary.
As an example, would you know the exact amounts of minerals and composted organic matter in your compost pile at your home - that is, if you have one? It would be impossible.
The bag states it this way...
This product is formulated from one or more of the following: pete, processed forest products, coir, and/or compost and sphagnum peat moss, fertilizer and a wetting agent.
California this product is formulated with processed forest products, compost, sphagnum peat moss, fertilizer and a wedding agent.
In Texas and Idaho this product is formulated with compost, processed forest products, sphagnum peat moss, fertilizer and a wetting agent.
As you can see from this list of ingredients directly from the bag, you cannot know exactly what is in the bag. You just know it’s all good stuff!
In addition, there is a very small amount of fertilizer in the bag, namely .09-.05-.07. Yes, those are decimals. To find out what those numbers mean, read this article. https://gardenmasterz.com/types-of-fertilizer-and-when-to-use-which-type/
The fertilizer contained within has been specially treated to be slow-released, so it will in fact feed the plants over time.
The bottom line is Miracle-Gro garden soil is composed of all natural ingredients and the results speak for themselves.
Can Miracle-Gro Garden Soil Burn Plants?
The answer is no. Miracle-Gro Garden soil cannot burn plants.
Because it is composed of all natural ingredients this product will not have any negative effects on your plants. Chemicals can do that. Natural products cannot.
There is one caveat we must mention here.
Miracle-Gro also sells a number of fertilizers composed of various chemicals. Those in fact can burn plants if they are used improperly. However the garden soil cannot. Don't confuse the two.
The Downside To Miracle-Gro Garden Soil
You should wear gloves when using it and if not, at least wash your hands afterward.
It doesn't usually stain hands but it could stain clothes, even though the stain is not permanent. In our work, we have a separate set of clothes we use when working in gardens. This only makes sense.
Otherwise there is no other downside at all and such a huge benefit, it's a no-brainer.
Using Miracle-Gro Garden Soil
As mentioned in other articles on this site, https://gardenmasterz.com/what-are-soil-amendments-and-should-you-use-them-in-your-gardens/ use it in a ratio of 50% native soil to 50% Miracle-Gro ( we’ve also mentioned we add peat moss to the mix as well).
You can also dig it into your gardens once a year by mixing in 3 inches of garden soil into the top 6 in of soil already in your garden. We don't usually do this with clients but it's something that can only help improve your plants.
Does Miracle-Gro garden soil live up to its name?
We are being totally honest when we say we have used this soil amendment for years and have always had excellent results. It has never disappointed.
I couldn't begin to count the number of bags we have purchased over 20 plus years and I have to say the quality of every bag has always been top notch!.
We have never had any issues with other unwanted ingredients in the bags such as rocks, mulch, or anything else as some reviews on the actual Miracle-Gro website have suggested.
So does Miracle Grow live up to its name?
Yes! We give it five dandelions!
Click The Image Above To Order Your Miracle-Grow garden soil
IMPORTANT NOTE (Full Disclosure): The above link will take you to Amazon.com where you can order this product and if you do, we make a small commission. However, on this particular product, as of the date of this posting, Amazon is priced much higher than if you were to purchase it at other garden centers and pick it up yourself. We suspect (although we cannot verify this) it's because the bag is heavy, and much of the built-in charges are for shipping. Just know before buying, picking it up at your local garden center will cost much less. Pricing and availability is always subject to change with any retailer, so it's your sole responsibility to do you due diligence before purchasing.
March 13, 2023
You said that natural fertilizers can’t burn plants but “chemicals” can… Now, I see the N, P, and K on the periodic table, but I’m not seeing a separate element for the nutrients you get from worm castings and bat guano… Can you elaborate?
May 6, 2023
I have used Miracle Gro products for over 53 years & am wondering where your pride has gone in producing your products. I have purchased 2 bags of Garden Soil that just needs to be thrown away. One bag has very little soil as it is mostly twigs and they are large twigs. The other bag is full of huge hard clumps. I have not picked up even one handful of soil. It is all clumps. I am 90 years old & still gardening & cannot tell you how disappointed I am in these products. Will not purchase anymore.