Our history
It all started with grass seed in Marysville, Ohio.
Since 1868, our story has been rooted in innovation, quality and a passion for helping people grow.
It began when Civil War veteran Orlando McLean Scott opened a hardware store in his hometown of Marysville, Ohio. He started selling weed-free seed to local farmers. After refining the craft, his family of successors became the first to bring seeds directly to homeowners — pioneering the consumer lawn industry.
From those early beginnings, our company has grown alongside the rise of American lawns, gardens and green spaces, guided by leaders who adapted to change while honoring our founder’s vision.
The doors of our original Marysville storefront are still open. It is a living symbol of our roots and reminds us of who we are, where we come from and why we do what we do.
Timeline
1868
Civil War Veteran Orlando Mclean (O.M.) Scott founded a hardware store in his hometown of Marysville, Ohio.
1907
O.M. Scott’s elder son, Dwight, saw the role lawns should play in American life. This led to the selling of grass seed by mail.
1924
First retail outlet: A shipment of Scotts products was made to the J.L. Hudson Company, a department store in Detroit. The results were very successful and initiated a new direction for Scotts' business.
1928
To focus on the consumer lawn market, O.M. Scott & Sons began advertising in popular magazines.
1946
O.M. Scott & Sons develops a Lawn Research Division devoted exclusively to turfgrass research.
1951
The Stern’s Miracle-Gro company was launched by Otto Stern, a nurseryman from Geneva, New York, and Horace Hagedorn, an advertising executive from New York City.
1959
Scotts introduced the money back guarantee promising a refund to consumers whose lawns did not improve after a proper application of Scotts’ products.
1962
The Scotts Training Institute was formed to teach retailers and employees how to help consumers develop the perfect lawn.
1970
A direct consumer helpline was introduced to allow lawn owners to phone Scotts for advice and assistance. Scotts' long-standing guarantee of satisfaction was formally named the "No-Quibble" guarantee.
1979
Miracle-Gro ran its first television advertisements with early commercials featuring Horace Hagedorn.
1986
“The Scotts Company” was incorporated in Delaware. “Scotts” had been a common nickname for O.M. Scott & Sons for decades and had been used in product branding, but this marked the name’s transition to formal usage.
1992
The Hagedorn Foundation purchased Spring Brook Farm, a dairy farm in Vermont, which would become the home for a new nonprofit organization, Farms for City Kids.
1992
Scotts' initial public offering of common stock began trading on NASDAQ at $19.00 per share.
1995
The Scotts Company announced a definite agreement to merge with Miracle-Gro Products, Inc.
1995
The Scotts Company common stock began trading on the NYSE under the symbol SMG.
1997
Horace Hagedorn announced his retirement from the day-to-day operations of Miracle-Gro.
1997
Scotts brought lawn care and gardening advice into the digital age with its first website.
1998
Scotts acquired exclusive rights to market Roundup weed control to consumers.
1999
Scotts launched Give Back to Gro, a program in which associates receive paid time off to volunteer for causes.
1999
The Scotts Company acquired the Ortho brand, which was created in 1907.
2000
The Scotts Company held a welcome party for Miracle-Gro, whose headquarters were moving from Port Washington, New York, to Marysville, Ohio.
2001
Jim Hagedorn was named CEO of The Scotts Company. He would later be appointed to the expanded role of chairman of the board.
2005
LiveTotal Health was launched, encouraging employees to embrace healthy lifestyles.
2005
The Scotts Company became The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, increasing the visibility of the company’s key brands.
2013
“Tomcat” rodent control business was acquired from Bell Laboratories.
2016
The company formed a joint venture with Bonnie Plants®, the largest U.S. grower of vegetables and live goods.
2017
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation launched.
2018
The company celebrated its 150th anniversary.
2020
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company fully acquired the AeroGarden brand, after initial investments in 2013 and 2016.
2024
The company introduced Miracle-Gro Organic Raised Bed & Garden Soil, featuring upcycled green waste materials that are locally sourced.
2024
The company launched the O.M. Scott and Sons brand with a focus on natural ingredients, drought-tolerant grasses and 100% recyclable paper packaging.
2025
The Ortho Home Defense Max 1.5L Refill Pouch uses 90% less plastic by weight and exemplifies the company’s focus on reducing and improving packaging across its product portfolios.
2025
The Ortho Home Defense Mosquito Kill & Prevent control contains an innovative formula that uses mosquitoes' natural breeding behavior to suppress populations without spraying.