Expand 'N Gro Concentrated Planting Mix .67 CF

After reading many bad reviews of this product, I couldn't help but laugh. It is a great product that I have had wonderful success in using. The bad reviews are most likely written by people who don't know how to garden. They don't understand their failure, so they blame the growing medium. I see people talking about mold. While I have not had that problem with this product, that is something you can experience with any growing medium. It's up to the grower to control the conditions to prevent mold. As far as plastic in the bag... I have seen that in practically all brands of soil out there. It's no big deal. It does not hurt anything. What matters to me is ease of use, and growing success. I have experienced both with this product.

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.

for the price there wasn’t that much.

I've been stockpiling Miracle Grow Expand all winter because I am 55 and have a rotator cuff injury. I thought it would save wear and tear and pain. I wish it worked as advertised. I have a pretty good basis for comparison at this point. I added this to my top soil in the two beds in February. I grow greens in (spinach, Kale)--two different locations. I didn't add fertilizer because it advertises that it has it's own. And I didn't use it by itself (I had confidence, but not that much confidence). I mixed it with the high quality top soil in the beds that have never failed me. I planted spinach and kale in the usual locations and had some seed left so I just added it to a couple of other raised beds in the same location. Note--I did not add fertilizer to these as it was simply leftovers. It was simply good soil. All spring I've been frustrated with the progress my greens were making. I blamed the weather because we've had an inordinately cold winter and chilly, wet spring. Today I went out to pick the greens in those beds and prepare them for other plants. I finally compared them to the "leftover" seed plantings in the other locations. The seed that grew in those locations OUTGREW the plants in the location with this product. All of them are twice the size--bushy and beautifully leafed out. I suspect that this stuff is fine if you mix it in with good top soil and add fertilizer and/or compost. I think it amounts to being really expensive peat moss. That expands. That's not all bad, but it sure isn't good considering the price.

So I grow superhot peppers indoors and my plants LOVE this stuff. Unfortunately it takes a lot of elbow grease to mix it properly with water in a large pot. I think I'd get it again, but only because it's easier to store extra than soil that you don't mix with water before using it. Space is a premium in my tiny apartment.