Scotts Continues GRO1000 Commitment to Support Community Gardens and Green Spaces Across Canada

Now Accepting Applications for 2013 Grassroots Grants

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Scotts Canada Ltd. is now accepting applicants for its 2013 Grassroots Grants. The grants provide up to $1,500 in cash and in-kind donations to not-for-profit community gardens and green spaces and are awarded based on community need and impact, scope and long-term sustainability of the projects.

These grants are a part of the GRO1000 program, a commitment by Scotts Miracle-Gro to create more than 1,000 community gardens and green spaces in Canada, the United States and Europe by 2018, the company's 150^th anniversary.

"Every year we are thrilled to be able to support gardens in communities across Canada," said Karen Stephenson, Director, Regulatory Affairs & Stakeholder Relations for Scotts Canada Ltd. "These gardens provide extraordinary environmental, social and physical benefits for communities and we couldn't be more proud to lend our support. The successes we have seen from past winners in communities as diverse as Kitimat, B.C., and St. Hyacinthe, Quebec show how impactful this program can be."

Since 2011, when the program launched, Scotts Canada has received applications from across the country and awarded grants to 11 gardens in five provinces. The list of winning gardens from 2011 and 2012 can be found at http://www.grogood.com/GiveBackToGro/GRO1000/Canada.

The program is run in partnership with Communities in Bloom and Plant a Row • Grow a Row, bringing together national and local groups to collectively advocate for and demonstrate the benefits of gardening and green space development.

"Communities in Bloom is thrilled to continue this partnership with Scotts Canada. These gardens provide an opportunity for young people to get their hands dirty, learn about healthy food and cultivate a love of gardening that we hope will last them throughout their lives," said Raymond Carriere, founding president of Communities in Bloom.

Further details on the application process are available at http://www.grogood.com/GiveBackToGro/GRO1000/Canada. 

About Scotts Canada

Scotts Canada is a subsidiary of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), the world's leading provider of branded consumer products for home lawn and garden care. Scotts' lineup features Canada's favourite lawn care brands, including: Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, Scotts Turf Builder®, Scotts EcoSense®, Ortho® and Morning Melodies Wild Bird Food. With a global investment in research and development and innovation in addition to industry leading stewardship initiatives and consumer education, Scotts is committed to developing and enhancing the lawn and garden care practices in Canada. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Scotts Canada provides lawn and garden enthusiasts choices that invite people to ... Grow the World You Want ™

SOURCE: Scotts Canada Ltd.