As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2010

Registration No. 333-163330

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 1

to

Form S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

 

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

14111 Scottslawn Road

Marysville, Ohio 43041

(937) 644-0011

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:  þ

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  þ

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-163330) of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is being filed for the purpose of: (i) registering guarantees of debt securities by direct and indirect subsidiaries of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (the “Guarantees of Debt Securities”), (ii) adding direct and indirect subsidiaries of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company as co-registrants that may potentially be guarantors of some or all of the debt securities registered under this Registration Statement (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), (iii) amending the base prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement to describe the Guarantees of Debt Securities, (iv) updating the information in Part II of the Registration Statement with respect to the addition of the Subsidiary Guarantors and (v) filing additional exhibits to the Registration Statement. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PROSPECTUS

 

 

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

 

Debt Securities

 

Common Shares

 

Preferred Shares

 

Warrants

 

Purchase Contracts

 

Purchase Units

 

Guarantees of Debt Securities

 

We may offer from time to time, in one or more offerings, debt securities, common shares, preferred shares, warrants, purchase contracts and purchase units or any combination thereof. The debt securities may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. This prospectus also covers guarantees, if any, of our payment obligations under the debt securities, which may be given from time to time by one or more of our subsidiaries, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.

 

This prospectus describes the general terms of the securities we may offer and the general manner in which we may offer the securities. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific terms of the securities offered and the specific manner in which we will offer the securities.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” carefully before you make your investment decision.

 

Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “SMG.” On January 8, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common shares was $39.70. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not list any of the securities on any securities exchange.

 

We may sell the securities directly to purchasers or to or through underwriters, dealers or agents. The applicable prospectus supplement will provide the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the specific terms of the plan of distribution, any over-allotment option and any applicable underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is January 11, 2010.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings from time to time. This prospectus describes the general terms of the securities we may offer and the general manner in which we may offer the securities. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific terms of the securities offered and the specific manner in which we will offer the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with the information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” before deciding whether to invest in any of the securities offered.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different, additional or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover of the applicable document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “Scotts,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” and similar terms mean The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and its subsidiaries.

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, plans, objectives, strategies, targets, prospects and business. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events. These statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “believe,” “strategy,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “intend,” “intent,” “belief,” “estimate,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or other similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved and you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are only made as of the date of this prospectus or the respective document incorporated by reference herein, as applicable. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Numerous factors could cause our actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The list of factors above is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the matters addressed in this prospectus and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are qualified by these cautionary statements.

 

Our business is subject to uncertainties and risks. Before you decide to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC, and the risk factors contained under the “Risk Factors” heading in any applicable prospectus supplement. It is possible that our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.

 

We trace our roots to two businesses launched by entrepreneurs. In 1868, Civil War veteran O.M. Scott started a seed business in Marysville, Ohio, based on the conviction that “farmers shall have clean, weed-free fields.” Beginning in 1907, The Scotts Company expanded its reach by selling grass seed to consumers and eventually exited the agricultural market. By 1988 — through innovation and acquisition — The Scotts Company had become a leading marketer of lawn fertilizer, grass seed and growing media products within the United States.

 

Separately, Horace Hagedorn and his partner Otto Stern launched Stern’s Miracle-Gro Products, Inc. in 1951 in New York. Their easy-to-use plant food quickly revolutionized the gardening category. Through innovative marketing, Miracle-Gro^® eventually became the leading plant food product in the gardening industry. In 1995, The Scotts Company and Stern’s Miracle-Gro Products, Inc. merged, marking the start of a significant evolution for us.

 

In the late 1990s, we launched both a geographic and a category expansion. We acquired companies with industry-leading brands in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. In fiscal 1999, we acquired the Ortho^® brand in the United States and exclusive rights for the marketing and distribution of consumer

Roundup^® * brand products within the United States and other specified countries, thereby adding industry-leading weed, insect and disease control products to our portfolio. We expanded into the lawn care service industry with the launch of Scotts LawnService^® in 1998. Since fiscal 2001, we have invested nearly $125 million in acquisitions of local and regional lawn care businesses to provide a platform for rapid expansion throughout the United States. Most recently, we entered the North American wild bird food category in fiscal 2006 with the acquisition of Gutwein & Co., Inc. and its Morning Song^® brand of bird food.

 

As we celebrate more than 100 years of selling products to consumers, we own the leading brands in nearly every category of the lawn and garden industry. A list of some of our North American leading consumer brands is as follows:

 

 

 

 

In addition, we have the following significant brands in Europe: Miracle-Gro^® plant fertilizers, Weedol^® and Pathclear^® herbicides, EverGreen^® lawn fertilizers and Levington^® growing media in the United Kingdom; KB^® and Fertiligène^® in France; Celaflor^®, Nexa Lotte^® and Substral^® in Germany and Austria; and ASEF^®, KB^® and Substral^® in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Roundup^® is also a significant brand in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other European markets.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville, Ohio 43041, and our telephone number is (937) 644-0011. We maintain a website at www.scotts.com where general information about us is available. The information on our website is not a part of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include working capital additions, repayment of indebtedness, repurchase of our common shares, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other strategic investments.

 

The following description discusses the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus and any related guarantees. The debt securities may be issued as senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The indebtedness represented by the senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The indebtedness represented by the subordinated debt securities will rank junior and be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior debt, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement for the securities.

 

The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities will be issued under separate indentures between us and one or more U.S. banking institutions. The trustee for each series of our debt securities will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may refer to the indenture covering the senior debt securities as the “senior indenture” and the indenture covering the subordinated debt securities as the “subordinated indenture.” Together the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called “indentures.”

 

The forms of the indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or the Trust Indenture Act, and may be supplemented or amended from time to time following their execution. Prior to issuing any debt securities, we will be required to select a trustee for the applicable indenture or indentures, qualify the trustee or trustees under the Trust Indenture Act and execute the applicable indenture or indentures.

 

The form of each indenture gives us broad authority to set the particular terms of each series of debt securities, including the right to modify certain of the terms contained in the indenture. The particular terms of a series of debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the particular terms of the issue modify the terms of the applicable form of indenture will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.

 

The following summary describes selected provisions of the indentures. This summary does not describe every aspect of the debt securities, the guarantees or the applicable indenture and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the applicable indenture, including the terms defined in the applicable indenture. We urge you to read the applicable indenture in its entirety. This summary is also subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the description of the particular debt securities and guarantees in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

General

 

The indentures provide that we will be able to issue an unlimited aggregate principal amount of debt securities under each indenture, in one or more series, and in any currency or currency units. We are not required to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for issuances of additional debt securities of that series.

 

Prior to the issuance of each series of debt securities, the terms of the particular securities will be specified in a supplemental indenture or in one or more officer’s certificates pursuant to a board resolution. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the debt securities being offered, including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the offered debt securities are denominated in whole or in part in any currency other than U.S. dollars, if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the offered debt securities are to be payable in a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are to be payable, or if any index is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any series of the debt securities, material federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue our debt securities at a discount below their principal amount and pay less than the entire principal amount of our debt securities upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe all material federal income tax and other considerations applicable to any such original issue discount securities.

 

The general provisions of the form indentures do not contain any provisions that would limit our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of our debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or any of our subsidiaries. Please refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to, the events of default described below that are applicable to the offered debt securities or any covenants or other provisions providing event risk or similar protection.

 

Payment

 

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay interest on a debt security on each interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt security is registered as of the close of business on the regular record date relating to the interest payment date.

 

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay principal of and any premium on the debt securities at stated maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, upon presentation of the debt securities at the office of the applicable trustee, as our paying agent, or at other designated places. Any other paying agent initially designated for the debt securities of a particular series will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Form, Transfers and Exchanges

 

The debt securities of each series will be issued only in fully registered form, without interest coupons. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $2,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Subject to the terms of the applicable indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities, you may exchange or transfer debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for that purpose, without the payment of any service charge, except for any tax or governmental charge.

 

Global Securities

 

The debt securities of any series may be issued, in whole or in part, by one or more global certificates that will be deposited with the depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for the debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary for that global security or any nominee of that depositary except in the following circumstances or as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. The depositary may discontinue providing its services as depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the applicable trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, certificates are required to be printed and delivered. In addition, we may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through a depositary. In that event, certificates will be printed and delivered to the depositary.

 

Unless otherwise stated in any prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will act as depositary. Beneficial interests in global certificates will be shown on, and transfers of global certificates will be effected only through records maintained by DTC and its participants.

 

Events of Default

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an event of default occurs with respect to debt securities of any series if:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No event of default with respect to a series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any other series issued under the indentures.

 

Each indenture requires us to provide an officers’ certificate to the applicable trustee promptly upon any such officer obtaining knowledge of any default or event of default that has occurred and, if applicable, describe such default or event of default and the status thereof. Each indenture requires us to file annually with the applicable trustee an officers’ certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the applicable indenture. Each indenture provides that the applicable trustee may withhold notice to the

holders of a series of debt securities of any default, except payment defaults on those debt securities, if it considers such withholding to be in the interest of the holders of that series of debt securities.

 

If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, then either the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount, or, if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, that portion of the principal amount of those original issue discount securities as may be specified in the terms of those original issue discount securities, of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to us, and to the applicable trustee if given by the holders, and upon any such declaration that principal amount, or specified amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and premium, if any, will become immediately due and payable. Upon payment of that amount in the currency in which the debt securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided in the applicable indenture or the applicable prospectus supplement), all of our obligations in respect of the payment of principal of the debt securities of that series will terminate.

 

After a declaration of acceleration has been made and before the trustee has obtained a judgment or decree for payment of the money due on any series of debt securities, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the applicable trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences, subject to any terms or conditions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If an event of default results from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of a series, or that portion of the principal amount of such debt securities as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, will automatically become immediately due and payable.

 

Subject to the provisions of each indenture relating to the duties of the applicable trustee, in case an event of default with respect to our debt securities of a particular series occurs and is continuing, the applicable trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under that indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of debt securities of that series, unless the holders have offered to the applicable trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction. Subject to the provisions for the indemnification of the applicable trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee under the applicable indenture, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the applicable trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

Merger or Consolidation

 

Each indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge or wind up into any other entity, whether or not we are the surviving entity, and that we may not sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:

 

 

 

Modification or Waiver

 

Without prior notice to or the consent of any holders, we and the applicable trustee may modify the applicable indenture for any of the following purposes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We and the applicable trustee may, with some exceptions, amend or modify either indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the amendment or modification. However, no amendment or modification may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A modification which changes or eliminates any provision of an indenture expressly included solely for the benefit of holders of debt securities of one or more particular series or modifies the holders’ rights will be deemed not to affect the rights under the indenture of the registered holders of debt securities of any other series.

 

Each of the indentures provides that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series, by notice to the relevant trustee, may on behalf of the holders of the debt securities of that series waive any default or event of default and its consequences under the applicable indenture, except:

 

 

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

The applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series may be discharged, subject to the terms and conditions as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, when either:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, each series of debt securities may provide additional or different terms or conditions for the discharge or defeasance of some or all of our obligations as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If provision is made for the defeasance of debt securities of a series, and if the debt securities of that series are registered securities and denominated and payable only in U.S. dollars, then the provisions of each indenture relating to defeasance will be applicable except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for debt securities of that series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for debt securities denominated in a foreign currency or currencies may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of a series and all obligations of any guarantors discharged with respect to their guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”) except for:

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations and the obligations of any guarantors released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the applicable indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants shall not constitute a default or event of default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of a series. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under “— Events of Default” will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to such debt securities.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

 

The senior debt securities will be unsecured senior obligations and will rank equally with all other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will, however, be subordinated in right of payment to all of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Except as provided in the senior indenture or specified in any authorizing resolution or supplemental indenture relating to a series of senior debt securities to be issued, no senior indenture will limit the amount of additional indebtedness that may rank equally with the senior debt securities or the amount of indebtedness, secured or otherwise, that may be incurred or preferred shares that may be issued by any of our subsidiaries.

 

Subordination

 

If our assets are distributed upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment, to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture and the applicable prospectus supplement, to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness, including senior debt securities. However, our obligation to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest on the subordinated debt securities may not be made at any time when there is a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, sinking funds, interest or certain other obligations on senior indebtedness. In addition, the prospectus supplement for any

series of subordinated debt securities may provide that payments of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt securities may be delayed or not paid under specified circumstances and periods. If, while we are in default on senior indebtedness, any payment is received by the trustee under the subordinated indenture or the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities before we have paid all senior indebtedness in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the unpaid senior indebtedness or applied to the repayment of the unpaid senior indebtedness. Subject to paying the senior indebtedness in full, the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the senior indebtedness to the extent that payments are made to the holders of senior indebtedness out of the distributive share of the subordinated debt securities.

 

Due to the subordination, if our assets are distributed upon insolvency, some or all of our general creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of subordinated debt securities. The subordinated indenture or applicable supplemental indenture may state that its subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the satisfaction and discharge and the legal defeasance provisions of the subordinated indenture.

 

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in it will specify the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date and any limitations on the issuance of additional senior indebtedness (or that there is not such limitation). Senior indebtedness with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities will have the meaning specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for that series.

 

Conversion Rights

 

The terms and conditions of any debt securities being offered that are convertible into our common shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. These terms will include the conversion price, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event that the debt securities are redeemed.

 

Corporate Existence

 

Subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, we will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our corporate existence, charter and statutory rights and franchises; provided, however, that we will not be required to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business.

 

Guarantees of Debt Securities

 

Any debt securities may be guaranteed by one or more of our direct or indirect subsidiaries. Each prospectus supplement will describe any guarantees of debt securities for the benefit of the series of debt securities to which it relates.

 

Governing Law

 

The indentures and our debt securities and any guarantees of our debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

The following summary describes the material features of our capital stock. This summary does not describe every aspect of our capital stock and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of our amended articles of incorporation and code of regulations, each of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and the applicable provisions of Ohio law.

Authorized Capital Stock

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 common shares, without par value, and 195,000 preferred shares, without par value. As of January 4, 2010, there were (1) 66,240,081 common shares issued and outstanding, and (2) no preferred shares issued and outstanding.

 

Common Shares

 

Holders of our common shares are entitled to:

 

 

Holders of our common shares have no preemptive, subscription, redemption, conversion or cumulative voting rights. Our outstanding common shares are, and any common shares that we issue pursuant to this prospectus and a prospectus supplement will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

Preferred Shares

 

Under our amended articles of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, subject to certain limitations prescribed by Ohio law and the rules and regulations of the NYSE, up to an aggregate of 195,000 preferred shares in one or more series. Our board of directors is also authorized to fix or change the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including the division of such shares into series and the designation and authorized number of each series, dividend and distribution rights, liquidation rights, preferences and price, redemption rights and price, sinking fund requirements, voting rights, preemptive rights, conversion rights and restrictions on issuance of shares. Absent a determination by the board of directors to establish different voting rights, holders of preferred shares are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted upon by the holders of common shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. Ohio law also entitles the holders of preferred shares to exercise a class vote on certain matters.

 

Our board of directors will fix the rights, preferences and limitations of each series of preferred shares that we sell under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement in a certificate of amendment to our amended articles of incorporation. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or incorporate by reference therein from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of amendment to our amended articles of incorporation that describes the terms of the series of preferred shares that we are offering before the issuance of the related series of preferred shares. We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of preferred shares being offered.

 

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred shares with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common shares. The issuance of preferred shares could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common shares. The issuance of preferred shares also could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by our shareholders. When we issue preferred shares under this prospectus and a prospectus supplement, such preferred shares will be fully paid and nonassessable.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Articles of Incorporation, Code of Regulations and Ohio Law

 

Certain provisions in our amended articles of incorporation and code of regulations and the Ohio Revised Code could discourage potential takeover attempts and make attempts by shareholders to change management more difficult. These provisions could adversely affect the market price of our shares.

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, with three-year staggered terms. This classification system increases the difficulty of replacing a majority of the directors at any one time and may tend to discourage a third-party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of us. It also may maintain the incumbency of our board of directors. Under the Ohio General Corporation Law, shareholders may not remove any directors on a classified board of directors without cause.

 

Supermajority Voting Provisions

 

Under the Ohio General Corporation Law, in the case of most mergers, sales of all or substantially all the assets of a corporation and amendments to a corporation’s articles of incorporation, the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation is required unless the corporation’s articles of incorporation provide for a lower amount not less than a majority. Our amended articles of incorporation change the default voting requirement provided by the Ohio General Corporation Law to a majority of the voting power, except that the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting power is required with respect to any of the following:

 

 

Limited Shareholder Action by Written Consent

 

The Ohio General Corporation Law requires that an action by written consent of the shareholders in lieu of a meeting be unanimous, except that the code of regulations may be amended by an action by written consent of holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation or, if the articles of incorporation or code of regulations otherwise provide, such greater or lesser amount, but not less than a majority. This provision may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider to be in its best interest.

 

Control Share Acquisition Act

 

The Ohio General Corporation Law provides that certain notice and informational filings, and special shareholder meeting and voting procedures, must occur prior to any person’s acquisition of an issuer’s shares that would entitle the acquirer to exercise or direct the voting power of the issuer in the election of directors within any of the following ranges:

 

 

This provision, which is known as the Control Share Acquisition Act, does not apply to a corporation if its articles of incorporation or code of regulations so provide. We have not opted out of the application of the Control Share Acquisition Act.

 

Merger Moratorium Statute

 

Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Merger Moratorium Statute, generally addresses a wide range of business combinations and other transactions (including mergers, consolidations, asset sales, loans, disproportionate distributions of property and disproportionate issuances or transfers of shares or rights to acquire shares) between an Ohio corporation and an “Interested Shareholder” (as such term is defined in Section 1704.01 of the Ohio Revised Code) who, alone or with others, may exercise or direct the exercise of at least 10% of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors. The Merger Moratorium Statute prohibits such transactions between the corporation and the Interested Shareholder for a period of three years after a person becomes an Interested Shareholder, unless, prior to such date, the directors approved either the business combination or other transaction or approved the acquisition that caused the person to become an Interested Shareholder.

 

Following the three-year moratorium period, the corporation may engage in the covered transaction with the Interested Shareholder only if:

 

 

The Merger Moratorium Statute does not apply to a corporation if its articles of incorporation or code of regulations so provide. We have not opted out of the application of the Merger Moratorium Statute.

 

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, common shares or preferred shares. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities we offer pursuant to a prospectus supplement and the warrants may be attached to or separate from the securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the warrants being offered and the applicable warrant agreement, including:

 

 

 

The description of the warrants in this prospectus is a summary of the material provisions that will appear in the applicable warrant agreement. This description does not include all of the terms of the applicable warrant agreement and does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We will describe the terms of any warrants and the applicable warrant agreement in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. We urge you to read the applicable documents because they, and not our summaries and descriptions, will define your rights as holders of the warrants. The form of the applicable warrant agreement (including the form of the warrant) will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of warrants and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

 

We may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, our securities at a future date or dates. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of purchase contracts. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on a basis to be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of purchase units consisting of a purchase contract and an underlying security that is pledged by the holder of a purchase contract to secure its obligations under the purchase contract.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the purchase contracts and/or purchase units being offered, including:

 

 

 

The description of the purchase contracts, purchase units and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this prospectus is a summary of the material provisions that will appear in the applicable documents. This description does not include all of the terms of those documents and does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We will describe the terms of any purchase contracts or purchase units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. We urge you to read the applicable documents because they, and not our summaries and descriptions, will define your rights as holders of the purchase contracts or purchase units. The forms of the relevant documents will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of purchase contracts or purchase units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

 

We may sell any of the securities being offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

 

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered will describe the specific plan of distribution and the terms of the offering, including:

 

 

Underwriters

 

Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If we use underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with those underwriters relating to the securities that we will offer. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase these securities will be subject to certain conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if any are purchased.

 

The underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

Dealers

 

If we use dealers in a sale, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will sell the securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices that they determine at the time of resale.

 

Agents

 

If we use agents in a sale, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the agents will act on a best efforts basis to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

 

Compensation

 

In connection with the sale of our securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters or agents in connection with an offering of securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers, will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

 

Direct Sales

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and we may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to resales of the securities. We will describe the terms of any direct sales in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Delayed Delivery Contracts

 

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price stated in the applicable prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. If we use delayed delivery contracts, the applicable prospectus supplement will disclose such use and describe the conditions to which the delayed delivery contracts will be subject and the commissions payable for the solicitation of the delayed delivery contracts.

 

Indemnification

 

We may indemnify underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and agree to contribute to payments which these underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

 

General Information

 

Underwriters, agents or dealers and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

The securities offered hereby may be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters that purchase securities from us may make a market in these securities. The underwriters will not be obligated, however, to make a market and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice to

holders of the securities. We cannot assure you that there will be liquidity in the trading market for any securities of any series.

 

In order to facilitate an offering of securities, persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We also may sell the securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in connection with a redemption or repayment, by a remarketing firm acting as principal for its own account or as our agent. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters as defined by the Securities Act in connection with the securities that they remarket.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the common shares, preferred shares, warrants, purchase contracts and purchase units will be passed upon for us by Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, Columbus, Ohio, and the validity of the debt securities and the guarantees of debt securities will be passed upon for us by Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, New York, New York. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be advised by their own legal counsel concerning issues relating to any offering.

 

The consolidated financial statements and related consolidated financial statement schedules as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2009 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 11, 2010, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports incorporated by reference herein (which reports (1) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and related consolidated financial statement schedules and include an explanatory paragraph referring to the adoption of new guidance regarding employers’ accounting for defined benefit pension and postretirement plans on September 30, 2007 and (2) express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting). Such financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is considered part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information included or previously incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the date we file the document containing such information.

 

Except to the extent furnished and not filed with the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or as otherwise permitted by the SEC rules, we incorporate by reference the following documents that we have filed with the SEC and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until the completion of the offering in the applicable prospectus supplement to which this prospectus relates or this offering is terminated:

 

 

 

 

We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents). Requests should be directed to: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, 14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville, Ohio 43041, Attention: Treasurer, telephone number (937) 644-0011.

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any of these SEC filings at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available on our website at http://www.scotts.com. The information on our website is not a part of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement.

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

 

The following table sets forth the estimated fees and expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of securities registered hereby.

 

 

 

 

 

The California Corporations

 

California General Corporation Law

 

Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law (“CAGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, however, such indemnification may only apply to expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the action and no such indemnification may be made (i) in respect of any claim as to which that person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless an appropriate court determines that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses, (ii) of amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a pending action without court approval or (iii) of expenses incurred in defending a pending action which is settled or otherwise disposed of without court approval. To the extent that such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defending any action, suit or proceeding referred to above or any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation must indemnify such person against the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

Section 317 of the CAGCL authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or agent against any liability asserted or incurred in his capacity, or arising out of his status, with the corporation.

 

Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company

 

Article IV of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company (“Horticultural”) authorizes Horticultural to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permissible under California law.

 

Article VI of the Bylaws of Horticultural requires Horticultural to indemnify its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by the CAGCL, except in any circumstance that would be inconsistent with (i) its governance documents, (ii) a shareholder resolution or an agreement that limits indemnification or (iii) any condition expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement.

 

Scotts-Sierra Crop Protection Company

 

The Articles of Incorporation of Scotts Sierra Crop Protection Company (“Crop Protection”) do not address indemnification.

 

Article VI of the Bylaws of Crop Protection requires Crop Protection to indemnify its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by the CAGCL.

 

Rod McLellan Company

 

Article V of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Rod McLellan Company (“McLellan”) authorizes McLellan to provide indemnification of its directors and officers in excess of the limits set forth in Section 317 of the CAGCL, subject only to the applicable limits set forth in the CAGCL with respect to actions for breach of duty to the corporation and its shareholders.

 

Article XI of McLellan’s Amended Bylaws requires McLellan to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the CAGCL, unless a determination is made that the director or officer did not meet the applicable standard of conduct.

 

Article XI also requires McLellan to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of McLellan, provided, that such insurance is available on acceptable terms.

 

The Delaware Corporations

 

Delaware General Corporation Law

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, however, such indemnification may only apply to expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the action and no such indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which that person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent an appropriate court determines that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses the court deems proper. To the extent that such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defending any action, suit or proceeding referred to above or any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation must indemnify such person against the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

Section 145(g) of the DGCL further provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any former or current director or officer of the corporation, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person under the statute.

 

Hyponex Corporation; OMS Investments, Inc.; Scotts Manufacturing Company; Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc.; Swiss Farms Products, Inc.

 

The Certificates of Incorporation of Hyponex Corporation (“Hyponex”), OMS Investments, Inc. (“OMS”), Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. (“SSI”), Scotts Manufacturing Company (“Manufacturing”) and Swiss Farms Products, Inc. (“Swiss”) do not address indemnification.

 

Article Seven of the Bylaws of OMS, Manufacturing, SSI and Swiss and Article XI of the Bylaws of Hyponex require the corporation to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL, provided, that, the corporation shall only make such indemnification upon a determination that the director or officer met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

Article Seven of the Bylaws of OMS, Manufacturing, SSI and Swiss also authorizes the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the corporation. Article XI of Hyponex’s Bylaws requires Hyponex to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of Hyponex, provided, that such insurance is available on acceptable terms.

 

Smith & Hawken, Ltd.

 

Article NINTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Smith & Hawken, Ltd. (“S&H”) requires S&H to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Section 145 of the DGCL, provided, that S&H may not indemnify any director or officer in connection with (i) a proceeding initiated by the director or officer unless the initiation and continued prosecution of such proceeding was approved by the board of directors or (ii) a proceeding relating to present or former officers, directors, employees or agents of a constituent corporation absorbed in a merger or consolidation transaction with S&H with respect to their activities prior to the transaction, unless specifically authorized by S&H’s board of directors or stockholders. The indemnification provided under Article NINTH will be reduced by any amounts the indemnified person receives (a) under any insurance policy purchased and maintained by S&H on behalf of such person, (b) from any other entity or (c) under any other applicable indemnification provision.

 

Article TENTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of S&H permits S&H to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of S&H, whether or not S&H would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability.

 

The Amended and Restated Bylaws of S&H do not address indemnification.

 

The Delaware Limited Liability Company

 

Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

 

Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

 

Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC

 

The Certificate of Formation and Limited Liability Company Agreement of Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC do not address indemnification.

 

The Indiana Corporations

 

Indiana Business Corporation Law

 

Chapter 37 of the Indiana Business Corporation Law (“IBCL”) provides that unless otherwise provided in its articles of incorporation, a corporation may indemnify its directors and officers under certain circumstances against liability incurred in connection with proceedings to which the officers or directors are made a party by reason of their position in the corporation. A director or officer may be indemnified if (i) the individual’s conduct was in good faith, (ii) the individual reasonably believed (a) that the conduct was in the best interests of the corporation (if the individual was acting in his official capacity with the corporation) or (b) that the conduct was not opposed to the corporation’s best interests (in all other cases), and (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the individual either had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Unless limited by its articles of incorporation, a corporation must indemnify a director or officer against reasonable expenses incurred by the director or officer if the director or officer was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director or officer was a made party because of his position in the corporation.

 

The IBCL permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who is or was a director or officer of the corporation.

 

EG Systems, Inc.

 

Article XI of the Articles of Incorporation of EG Systems, Inc. (“EG”) requires EG to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the IBCL.

 

The Bylaws of EG do not address indemnification.

 

Gutwein & Co., Inc.

 

The Articles of Incorporation of Gutwein & Co., Inc. (“Gutwein”) do not address indemnification.

 

Article IX of the Amended and Restated Code of By-Laws of Gutwein requires Gutwein to indemnify a director or officer made or threatened to be made a party to any proceeding against liabilities and expenses incurred by the director or officer in the following circumstances: (i) if the director or officer is wholly successful with respect to the proceeding and (ii) in all other circumstances, unless the director of officer has breached or failed to perform his duties in compliance with the applicable standard of conduct, the action or failure to act constituted willful misconduct or recklessness or resulted in any personal profit or advantage to which the director or officer was not legally entitled.

 

Article IX of the Amended and Restated Code of By-Laws of Gutwein authorizes Gutwein to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is a director or officer of the corporation.

 

The New York Corporations

 

New York Business Corporation Law

 

Section 721 of the of the New York Business Corporation Law (“NYBCL”) provides that a corporation may not indemnify a director or officer if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the director or officer establishes that (i) the acts of the director or officer were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, and, in either case, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or (ii) the director or officer personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which the director or officer was not legally entitled. Section 722 of the NYBCL provides that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 721, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action, by reason of the fact that he was a director or officer of the corporation or served at the corporation’s request on behalf of another entity in any capacity, against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses actually and necessarily incurred as a result of such action or any appeal therein, if such director or officer acted in good faith, for a purpose which he reasonably believed to be in, or, in the case of service to any other entity, not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect

to criminal actions or proceedings, the director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, however, such indemnification may only apply to amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses actually and necessarily incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, or in connection with an appeal therein, and no such indemnification may be made in respect of (a) a threatened action, or a pending action which is settled or otherwise disposed of, or (b) any claim, issue or matter as to which such person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and to the extent an appropriate court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to partial or full indemnification. Section 723 of the NYBCL provides that indemnification by a corporation is mandatory in any case in which the director or officer has been successful, whether on the merits or otherwise, in defending an action.

 

Section 726 of the NYBCL authorizes the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance to indemnify directors and officers in instances in which they may be indemnified by a corporation under New York law.

 

Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc.

 

The Certificate of Incorporation of Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc. (“Lawn”) does not address indemnification.

 

Article VI of the Bylaws of Lawn requires Lawn to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the NYBCL, provided, that, unless such indemnification is ordered by a court pursuant to Section 725 of the NYBCL, Lawn shall only make such indemnification upon a determination that the director or officer met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

Article VI also authorizes Lawn to purchase and maintain insurance to indemnify directors and officers; provided, that no such insurance may provide for any payment, other than the cost of defense, to or on behalf of any director or officer (i) if a judgment or final adjudication adverse to the insured director or officer establishes that the director or officer’s acts of active and deliberate dishonesty were material to the cause of action adjudicated or that the director or officer personally gained a financial profit or other advantage to which the director or officer was not legally entitled, or (ii) in relation to any risk the insurance of which is prohibited under New York insurance law.

 

Sanford Scientific, Inc.

 

The Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of Sanford Scientific, Inc. do not address indemnification.

 

The Ohio Corporations

 

Ohio General Corporation Law

 

Section 1701.13(E) of the Ohio General Corporation Law (the “OGCL”) permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another entity, because the person is or was a director or officer, against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with the suit, action or proceeding if (i) the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner the director or officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe the director’s or officer’s conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, however, such indemnification may only apply to expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action and no such indemnification may be made if either (a) the director or officer has been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of the director’s or officer’s duty to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the proceeding was brought determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses as the court deems proper, or (b) the only liability asserted against a director in a proceeding relates to the director’s approval of an impermissible dividend, distribution, redemption or loan. The OGCL further provides that to the extent a director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, the corporation must indemnify the director or officer against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with the action, suit or proceeding.

 

The OGCL also permits corporations to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any director or officer against any liability asserted against such director or officer and incurred by such director or officer in his capacity as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the director or officer against such liability under the OGCL.

 

Scotts Products Co.; Scotts Professional Products Co; The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.

 

The Articles of Incorporation of Scotts Products Co. (“Products”), Scotts Professional Products Co. (“Professional”) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company do not address indemnification.

 

Article VI of the By-Laws of Products and Professional and Article Five of the Code of Regulations of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company require the corporation to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under the OGCL, provided, that, the corporation shall not make such indemnification if a determination is made that the director or officer did not meet the applicable standard of conduct.

 

Article VI of the By-Laws of Products and Professional and Article Five of the Code of Regulations of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company also permit the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the corporation.

 

SMG Growing Media, Inc.

 

The Articles of Incorporation of SMG Growing Media, Inc. (“Growing”) do not address indemnification.

 

Article Five of the Code of Regulations of Growing requires Growing to indemnify any director or officer of Growing to the fullest extent permitted under the OGCL; provided, that Growing is not required to indemnify any director or officer in connection with any claim in any action, suit or proceeding that is asserted by the director or officer unless such claim was authorized by Growing’s board of directors. Any such indemnification shall be paid by Growing unless a determination is made by an appropriate court that the director or officer did not meet the applicable standard of conduct.

 

Growing’s Code of Regulations authorizes Growing to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of Growing.

 

The Ohio Limited Liability Company

 

Ohio Limited Liability Company Act

 

Section 1705.32 of the Ohio Limited Liability Company Act (the “OLLCA”) provides that a limited liability company may indemnify any person who was or is a party, or who is threatened to be made a party, to any proceeding, because he is or was a manager, member or officer of the company or is or was serving at the company’s request as a manager, member, director or officer of any other entity, against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the manager, member or officer in connection with the proceeding if the manager, member or officer acted in good faith and in a manner the manager, member or officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the company and, in connection with any criminal action or proceeding, the manager, member or officer had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action by or in the right of the company, however, such indemnification may only apply to expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action and no such indemnification may be made in respect of any claim as to which the person is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the company unless and only to the extent that the court of common pleas or the court in which the action was brought determines that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for expenses that the court considers proper. To the extent that a manager or officer of a limited liability company has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any such action, the limited liability company must indemnify him against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action.

 

Section 1705.32 of the OLLCA also provides that a limited liability company may purchase and maintain insurance for or on behalf of any person who is or was a manager, member or officer of the company.

 

The Scotts Company LLC

 

The Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement of The Scotts Company LLC do not address indemnification.

 

Director and Officer Insurance Maintained by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

 

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company maintains insurance policies under which its directors and officers and the directors and officers of the Subsidiary Guarantors are insured, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policies, against expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers of The Scotts-Miracle Gro Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the documents listed below are filed with this registration statement as exhibits or incorporated into this registration statement by reference:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement

as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract for sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)2 of the Act.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signatures on following page]

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY

 

Name:     James Hagedorn

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

EG SYSTEMS, INC.

 

Name:     James Hagedorn

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

GUTWEIN & CO., INC.
HYPONEX CORPORATION
MIRACLE-GRO LAWN PRODUCTS, INC.
ROD MCLELLAN COMPANY
SANFORD SCIENTIFIC, INC.
SCOTTS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
SCOTTS PRODUCTS CO.
SCOTTS PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS CO.
SCOTTS-SIERRA CROP PROTECTION COMPANY
SCOTTS-SIERRA HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS COMPANY
SMG GROWING MEDIA, INC.

 

Name:     James Hagedorn

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

OMS INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

Name:     Edward R. Claggett

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

SCOTTS-SIERRA INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

Name:     David C. Evans

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

SCOTTS TEMECULA OPERATIONS, LLC

 

Name:     James Hagedorn

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

SMITH & HAWKEN, LTD.

 

Name:     James Hagedorn

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

SWISS FARMS PRODUCTS, INC.

 

Name:     Edward R. Claggett

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on the 11th day of January, 2010.

 

THE SCOTTS COMPANY LLC

 

Name:     James Hagedorn

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint James Hagedorn, David C. Evans, and Vincent C. Brockman, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in his name and on his behalf in the capacities indicated below, and to execute any and all instruments for him and in his name in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for him in his name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement and registration statements relating to the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and he does hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

Senior Debt Indenture

     

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY, as Issuer

and

THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

     

Indenture

     

Dated as of [   ], 2010

     

Table of Contents

				Page
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.01.		Definitions			1
Section 1.02.		Compliance Certificates and Opinions			9
Section 1.03.		Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee			9
Section 1.04.		Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company			10
Section 1.05.		Notice to Holders; Waiver			10
Section 1.06.		Conflict with Trust Indenture Act			11
Section 1.07.		Effect of Headings and Table of Contents			11
Section 1.08.		Successors and Assigns			11
Section 1.09.		Separability Clause			11
Section 1.10.		Benefits of Indenture			11
Section 1.11.		Governing Law			11
Section 1.12.		Legal Holidays			11
Section 1.13.		No Security Interest Created			12
Section 1.14.		Liability Solely Corporate			12
ARTICLE TWO
DEBT SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.01.		Forms Generally			12
Section 2.02.		Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication			13
Section 2.03.		Securities in Global Form			13
ARTICLE THREE
THE DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01.		Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series			13
Section 3.02.		Denominations			17
Section 3.03.		Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating			17
Section 3.04.		Temporary Debt Securities; Global Notes Representing Registered Securities			18
Section 3.05.		Registration, Transfer and Exchange			20
Section 3.06.		Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities			21
Section 3.07.		Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved			22
Section 3.08.		Cancellation			23
Section 3.09.		Computation of Interest			23
Section 3.10.		Currency of Payments in Respect of Debt Securities			23
Section 3.11.		Judgments			26
Section 3.12.		Exchange Upon Default			26
Section 3.13.		CUSIP and ISIN Numbers			27

				Page
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.01.		Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture			27
Section 4.02.		Application of Trust Money			28
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 5.01.		Events of Default			28
Section 5.02.		Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment			30
Section 5.03.		Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee			30
Section 5.04.		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim			31
Section 5.05.		Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Debt Securities			32
Section 5.06.		Application of Money Collected			32
Section 5.07.		Limitation on Suits			32
Section 5.08.		Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest			33
Section 5.09.		Restoration of Rights and Remedies			33
Section 5.10.		Rights and Remedies Cumulative			33
Section 5.11.		Delay or Omission Not Waiver			34
Section 5.12.		Control by Holders			34
Section 5.13.		Waiver of Past Defaults or Events of Default			34
Section 5.14.		Undertaking for Costs			34
Section 5.15.		Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws			35
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.01.		Certain Duties and Responsibilities			35
Section 6.02.		Notice of Defaults			36
Section 6.03.		Certain Rights of Trustee			36
Section 6.04.		Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Debt Securities			37
Section 6.05.		May Hold Debt Securities			38
Section 6.06.		Money Held in Trust			38
Section 6.07.		Compensation and Reimbursement			38
Section 6.08.		Disqualification; Conflicting Interests			38
Section 6.09.		Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility			43
Section 6.10.		Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor			44
Section 6.11.		Acceptance of Appointment by Successor			45
Section 6.12.		Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business			46
Section 6.13.		Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company			46
Section 6.14.		Appointment of Authenticating Agent			49

				Page
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.01.		Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders			51
Section 7.02.		Preservation of Information; Communication to Holders			51
Section 7.03.		Reports by Trustee			52
Section 7.04.		Reports by Company			53
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
Section 8.01.		Acts of Holders			54
Section 8.02.		Proof of Ownership; Proof of Execution of Instruments by Holder			55
Section 8.03.		Persons Deemed Owners			55
Section 8.04.		Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound			55
ARTICLE NINE
HOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 9.01.		Purposes of Meetings			56
Section 9.02.		Call of Meetings by Trustee			56
Section 9.03.		Call of Meetings by Company or Holders			56
Section 9.04.		Qualifications for Voting			56
Section 9.05.		Regulations			57
Section 9.06.		Voting			57
Section 9.07.		No Delay of Rights by Meeting			58
ARTICLE TEN
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 10.01.		Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms			58
Section 10.02.		Successor Corporation Substituted			58
ARTICLE ELEVEN
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 11.01.		Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders			59
Section 11.02.		Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders			59
Section 11.03.		Execution of Supplemental Indentures			61
Section 11.04.		Effect of Supplemental Indentures			61
Section 11.05.		Conformity with Trust Indenture Act			61
Section 11.06.		Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures			61
Section 11.07.		Notice of Supplemental Indenture			61

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ARTICLE TWELVE
COVENANTS
Section 12.01.		Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest			61
Section 12.02.		Officer’s Certificate as to Default			62
Section 12.03.		Maintenance of Office or Agency			62
Section 12.04.		Money for Debt Securities; Payments To Be Held in Trust			62
Section 12.05.		Corporate Existence			63
Section 12.06.		Waiver of Certain Covenants			63
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Section 13.01.		Applicability of Article			64
Section 13.02.		Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee			64
Section 13.03.		Selection by Trustee of Debt Securities to Be Redeemed			64
Section 13.04.		Notice of Redemption			65
Section 13.05.		Deposit of Redemption Price			65
Section 13.06.		Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date			65
Section 13.07.		Debt Securities Redeemed in Part			66
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
SINKING FUNDS
Section 14.01.		Applicability of Article			66
Section 14.02.		Satisfaction of Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities			66
Section 14.03.		Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund			67
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
DEFEASANCE
Section 15.01.		Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			68
Section 15.02.		Legal Defeasance and Discharge			68
Section 15.03.		Covenant Defeasance			69
Section 15.04.		Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance			69
Section 15.05.		Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions			71
Section 15.06.		Repayment to Company			71
Section 15.07.		Reinstatement			71
Section 15.08.		Survival			72
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
CONVERSION
Section 16.01.		Applicability; Conversion Privilege			72