As temperatures cool down in California, many kids may find unwelcome visitors in their classrooms and cafeterias - mice. This fall, Ortho® Home Defense MAX® has launched the "Safer Schools" program to help keep kids safe from mice. Mice can be a factor in creating an unhealthy environment, since they spread disease and can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, the world's leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the payment of a cash dividend of $0.125 per share.

Strong demand for its consumer products helped Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. cut its loss in its fiscal fourth quarter compared with a year earlier, the company said yesterday. In its full fiscal year, the company turned its finances around and posted a $153 million profit compared with a nearly $11 million loss.

Strong consumer demand helped Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. cut its loss in the fourth quarter compared with the year-ago period, the company said today. The Marysville-based company lost $14.9 million, or 23 cents a share in the fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $34.7 million, or 54 cents a share, the same time a year ago.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. said Thursday its fiscal fourth-quarter loss narrowed, crediting a sales increase stemming from continued strong consumer demand for lawn and garden products. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, Scotts posted a loss of $14.9 million, or 23 cents per share, compared with a loss of $34.7 million, or 54 cents per share, for the same quarter last year.

-- Full-year sales grew 5% to record $3.14 billion; fourth quarter sales up 7% -- Sales in the U.S. grew 15% for 2009, in line with consumer purchases at retail -- Adjusted full- year earnings: $2.46 per share; GAAP earnings: $2.32 per share -- Full-year adjusted gross margin rate improved 210 basis points -- Free cash flow of $189 million.

MEDWAY, Maine -- Ohio-based Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. will expand its $2.5 million plant on Nicatou Industrial Lane in January with new mulch and fertilizer products, company officials said Tuesday.

Nearly 25,000 avid gardeners entered the Osmocote® plant food brand's sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C. Linda Hopper of Ridgeland, Mississippi was the green thumb awarded The National Garden visit.