Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2011

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Acquisitions

4. Acquisitions

Fiscal 2011

On February 28, 2011, the Company acquired certain assets of a privately-held maker of premium fertilizer for the professional and retail markets for approximately $23 million in cash. The acquired assets were integrated into the business of Pennington Seed, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired by $1.0 million, which was recorded as goodwill.

Contingent performance payments of $1.9 million have been paid in fiscal 2011 for previous acquisitions and recorded as goodwill.

Fiscal 2010

The Company made no acquisitions during fiscal 2010. Contingent performance payments of $1.8 million were paid for acquisitions made in prior years, which were recorded as goodwill in fiscal 2010.

Fiscal 2009

The Company made no acquisitions during fiscal 2009. Contingent performance payments of $6.5 million were paid for acquisitions made in prior years, which were recorded as goodwill in fiscal 2009.