Hi aptosca - It said - for potted plants. How are you to know that doesn't mean house plants? That was one of your questions. The terms potted plants and house plants are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. All houseplants are potted, but not all potted plants are grown in the house; many people have potted plants outside, on patios and porches, or summering their houseplants outside, or just growing-on plants for size or whatever - many reasons. Plants grown outside in pots tend to dry out faster than plants grown indoors, and that's why some people prefer "water retentive" soils for outdoor potted plants. But one thing is true outdoors or indoors - wet soil that never dries out makes for wet roots, and wet roots make for dead plants. As you can see from reading all of this thread, there's a lot of 'different strokes for different folks.' It's one reason that you find so much conflicting information if you do much research. One thing that's absolutely true, though, is that if roots stay too wet, plants die. But... That's not always true, either, because many plants are incredibly, amazingly adaptable. Species that are known to hate "wet feet" sometimes adapt to living in a constantly wet - I mean soaking wet - pot. I know, I have one. This is another source of much conflicting information. My advice to you would be to try what seems reasonable to you, what seems to fit your own requirements best. If things don't work as well as you would like, try something else. Even if you are satisfied with results, go ahead and try something different, just as an experiment. That's one reason you never get tired of working with plants, once you get into it.

Has anybody posted to this post since 2006. Does anybody out there use animal manures in there garden. I apply horse manure in the fall and spring. If I have not tilled it in, it has aged for at least four month. If it has been tilled it has disappeared into the soil. I have people concerned about pathogens. In my 55 years of gardening and using manures, I have never had the media driven fears that they are putting into people. Where do people think there food is grown. In fields spread with manures. I know of hydroponics which is expensive. Len

I just opened 2 huge bags of MGPS last night,and yes the same thing happened to me!!!! I already threw some soil under my trees, bushes and knockout roses., before I noticed that Horrible odor emerging from the bag! Like......if something died in the bag! I hope I did not do damaged to my garden! It will be pretty hard to remove that smelly soil! I can’t believe this is Miracle Gro Soil! Im not sure if I should use this soil to plant my Cannas. I spent a lot of money on the plants and don’t want to see my Flower plants go to waste! I’m thinking maybe moisture seep into the bag and perhaps ithe soil needs to dry out For a few days before using the soil! does anyone have any idea what to do? Miracle Gro Soil is losing their credibility with me that’s for sure. I will be contacting the company.

Don't assume that all things creepy-crawly are bad -- many are good guys :) I have no idea about your worms but true worms are generally beneficial and will help your soil. If you can post a picture, that would help, or take some to your local garden center (not a box store, but a locally-owned garden center with knowledgeable and experienced people), or contact the local master gardeners program/cooperative extension service. Good luck!