In March, I first got wind of Roll’n’Grow, an odd product that promised too-good-to-be-true gardening results. I asked for feedback. Workable? Not workable? What’s the scoop? Garden Rant asked a similar question recently.
To my delight, there were commenters who provided anecdotal feedback on their Roll’n’Grow experiences, none of which was good.
But to my even greater delight, one commenter, Rick, provided a few weeks’ worth of feedback on his real-time experiment with the product. Rick’s verdict? He’s sending it back. No way, no day.
Rick, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you get the refund you deserve.
The Inadvertent Gardener 
The Lowes insert in the Sunday paper had something similar. A roll out lawn. Grass seed on a biodegradable backing of some sort. The mind boggles.
I – she said sheepishly – actually bought this last year – it’s a rollout of some kind of degradeable fabric imbedded with flower seeds. I had good success with it. The ones that got the most water early on, did better than the the ones that didn’t get touched by the soaker hoses as well and depended on me to water regularly. The flowers were nice and lasted through September (I’m in zone 6.5)
I bought some new rolls for this year. They fill in the spots where I haven’t yet decided what to do with on a permanent basis.
Just my two cents!
Since you posted on roll n grow a few months back, I have been curious to know if you would try them. My big worry is that they might contain a fast-spreading invasive plant – one that would look pretty the first year, but would become a nuisance in future years. Interesting to read the feedback though.
Steven, but think how easy a roll-out lawn would be…if nothing grew, there’d be nothing to maintain!
Jeanne, don’t feel sheepish! I’m glad some folks are actually getting decent results with some of this stuff. I’m guessing, though, that you didn’t buy yours from AsSeenOnTV.com or anything like that, did you?
Kate, I hadn’t even thought about the invasive species issue…yikes. Good thinking.
I grew one of these roll n grow last year, bought it from publishers clearing house, and i watered everday until established and i had a abundance of beautiful blooms until frost this year it has blessed me with something new coreposis at least 7 good size plants havent bloomed yet cant wait and a bachelor button came back and the sweet william is gorgeous full bloom at the moment. I would recommend these to any one who had the time to make sure that the mat did not dry out. I also picked the seed heads last year and sprinkled them else where, so we will see what happens i believe the asters are popping up in my silverlace vine pots now.
Tiffany, I’m impressed that you were able to harvest seed heads off last year’s experiment — I’m glad it’s been working for you! Sounds like you got a good version of the product.
I’ll post some pics soon I just enjoyed my afternoon snapping some shots and listening to the little waterfall at my pond
Tiffany, ooh…a waterfall…how delightful! Glad you had a good afternoon.