Homework: Garden helpers

Miracle-Gro Expand 'N Gro Concentrated Planting Mix

Lugging heavy bags of potting mix home from the garden center can render you too tired (or injured) to actually start planting once you get home. The folks at Miracle-Gro have addressed the problem by creating a concentrated mix that's just one-third the weight of traditional bagged soil. It expands to three times its bulk when mixed with water, contains fertilizer to feed plants for up to six months, and is organic. Plus, it retains up to 50 percent more moisture than basic potting soil, so you'll have to water less often. Use Expand 'n Gro in containers and in the garden to make soil more workable. Currently available only in select markets, it's slated for a New York rollout in January. $10.99 for an 8.4-quart bag (expands to make 1 cubic foot of soil), and $15.99 for a 17.2-quart bag (expands to make 2 cubic feet of soil).