Sweet Peet is a natural, unique, versatile, nutritious material that is 100% organic due to its make-up of virgin wood products, manure,and plant fibers. It differs from many mulches and soil amendmentsin that it contains no human waste, no construction material or junk wood, such as pallets, and no chemicals.
Sweet Peet’s ‘secret” is that unlike bark or wood mulch, it does not rob the soil of nitrogen but instead supplies nitrogen in a slow release form to your valuable plants. In addition, Sweet Peet fosters the multiplication of beneficial and necessary soil organisms such as mycorrhizae, rhizobacteria and earthworms, among others, and which in turn results in the increased production of glomalin which is the “glue” that holds soil particles together to give the garden or planting bed that desired tilth of “chocolate cake” which plants love.
Sweet Peet goes through a composting stage where high temperatures destroy any weed seeds, preventing contamination of your vegetable garden, landscape, or lawn. It has a very attractive dark brown color with a sweet, earthy smell. We guarantee you will not even know that you are working with manure!
With the additional value of adding nutrients and microbes back into the soil, the choice to use Sweet Peet is not a difficult one. Whether you are working on rehabilitating old landscape beds or new beds, you must consider the nutrient value and structure of the soil. Adding organic matter back to the soil with Sweet Peet revitalizes the soil with essential microbes necessary for the proper exchange of nutrients to the roots of plants from the soil, and will act as a nutrient reservoir, and greatly increase the pore space of the soil for better aeration.
Sweet Peet – a composted nutrient enriched mulch & soil amendment
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HOW TO USE:
As a Mulch
It’s dark rich color is derived from naturally occurring tannins that are baked in during the composting process. It is a truly attractive mulch that is lightweight and easy to spread. Since Sweet Peet is fortified with farm manure, it will also reduce the nitrogen-borrowing that can occur when using typical hardwood mulches. This is especially important for annual and perennial beds. Geraniums, Petunias, and Begonias will certainly stand out when you use this mulch.
For vegetable or flower gardens, spread about 1″ deep using layers of newspaper under the Sweet Peet to additionally suppress weeds. Also, the application of Preen for landscape or flower beds prior to planting would work instead of the newspapers. Preen for Vegetable Gardens must be applied for edible crops. Keep Sweet Peet away from stems of plants.
Planting flowers or vegetables or preparing landscape beds before planting
Spread a layer of Sweet Peet to a 2-3″ depth over the planting bed. Spade or rototill in the Sweet Peet thoroughly. Note: Even apply to areas with “new, good” processed topsoil as this topsoil is not the same as naturally laid down topsoil as such processed topsoils can become “gummy” and compacted in a short period of time.
Tree & Shrub Planting
Though we would not recommend only using Sweet Peet when planting trees and shrubs. A mix of 25% Canadian Peat, 12.5% Sweet Peet, and the remainder of good topsoil will give the plants you are installing an outstanding start; satisfying the plants nutritional requirements.
For more information, check out our Tree & Shrub Tip Sheet.
Sweet Peet is also a great soil amendment when planting ericaceous shrubs such as Rhododendron-Azalea, Kalmia, Pieris, Leucothoe, Callunas, Ericas and Vaccinium (blueberries). Add pre-moistened Canadian Sphagnum peat by mixing it in the back fill for the planting holes as directed in our rhododendron-azalea planting instructions. Add Sweet Peet to the peat moss-soil mixture at one half the rate of the Canadian Sphagnum Peat and re-mix thoroughly. * Sweet Peet is slightly alkaline and so that the liberal amount of acidic Canadian Peat Moss will ensure the necessary soil acidity for this group of plants.
For more information, check out our Rhododendron-Azalea tip sheet.
Establishing New Lawns
Though not truly cost effective, Sweet Peet is extremely effective at seed starting in a lawn. Seeds can be directly sown in a 1-2″ layer of Sweet Peet and will result in exceptional seed germination.
Thatch in a Lawn
Thatch buildup in a lawn can cause an otherwise healthy lawn to begin to decline by not allowing fertilizer and adequate water to reach the root zone. Even with regular aeration, there is no substitute for adding organic matter to a lawn to aid in breaking down thatch. Sweet Peet’s light weight makes it easy to spread in the lawn. Simply dump in small piles throughout the lawn and work in with a leaf blower.
More information on Sweet Peet:
https://sweetpeetohio.com/
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What are the benefits of mulching?
There are few reasons why we should mulch our gardens (flower and vegetable alike). For starters, mulch suppresses weeds and unwanted plant growth. When spread thick enough (2 ½ – 3 inches deep) mulching with Sweet Peet acts as a barrier between weeds and sunlight. No sunlight….no growth. Second, mulching with Sweet Peet helps retain moisture in the soil. By adding a barrier between your soil and the sun, you’re mulch absorbs the heat leaving your soil cool and moist. You’ll be grateful you mulched during those hot dry summers! Most of all, by using Sweet Peet, you will benefit from adding important nutrients and microbes to your soil. And with that…happy soil makes for happy plants! Lastly, it simply looks better! Imagine your flower bed without it…you’ll be glad you mulched
Why should I use Sweet Peet?
Oh, there are so many reasons! For one, it’s safe for your family and pets because it’s organic. If you’re adding Sweet Peet to your vegetable garden, nourishing it organically is ALWAYS best! Since it’s organic, you will see all of your plants, flowers and vegetables grow with delight thanks to the nutritional values it holds from natural wood, manure, and plant fibers. We take great pride in our product and because of that we have it tested by a lab several times a year in order to make sure the quality is maintained and that we continue to deliver a consistent product.
How do I use Sweet Peet as a mulch?
This is a good question! Simply spread a layer of Sweet Peet around your plants, trees and shrubs. To suppress weeds, make sure your initial layer is 2 ½ -3 inches deep. Oh, and be sure to weed before you put it down for best results. Remember never to put any mulch up against your house or trunks of trees. Excessive mulch on the trunk can cause moisture to build up, creating ideal conditions for insects, diseases, and decay.
Why do I still have weeds after mulching?
Most weed seeds are airborne or transported by birds. So, it is near impossible to eliminate them 100%. Because of the high nutritional value of Sweet Peet, anything that lands in it will grow. The good thing is that those weeds are very easy to pull out because the roots don’t need to travel deep to get nutrition
Can I use Sweet Peet in containers or planters?
Yes! You can use a ratio of 1 part Sweet Peet to 2 parts potting soil. You will get some great nutritional benefits and your soil in your pots will retain the moisture a bit better, so don’t over water!
What is the pH of Sweet Peet and why does it matter?
Sweet Peet has a higher pH level making it alkaline, or “sweet.” It will average from 7.6-8.5. This is great for breaking down the hard clay soils (native to Ohio) that hinder optimal plant growth. Not to mention it combats acid rain and so much more. “A lot of problems in the garden stem from improper soil conditions. In NE Ohio, we tend to have hard, compact, clay soil. This soil can have a very low or acidic pH. This is good for acid loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, etc…but not so great for a lot of other plants. With the addition of Sweet Peet, your soil will be more balanced and welcoming to a larger array of plants. If you are not sure where to start your garden project, we recommend testing your soil. Either send a soil sample to a laboratory for detailed analysis or test your soil pH yourself by using a DIY kit found at most garden centers. These kits are relatively cheap, easy to use and give a good indication of your soil’s pH.”
What does Sweet Peet consist of?
What puts Sweet Peet apart from any other product is that we compost used horse bedding from local horse farms. With this being said, Sweet Peet is comprised of soft wood shavings which horses are bed on, horse manure and trace amounts of hay and straw. It is carefully monitored for temperature and moisture as it composts and then screened to take out all unfavorable items such as rocks and horse shoes! You will also notice that Sweet Peet doesn’t have an offensive odor that you often get with products that contain manure.
Can you plant directly into Sweet Peet?
Yes and no…you can plant annuals directly into Sweet Peet. However, when planting perennials, trees and shrubs, you want to add Sweet Peet to your existing soil when planting and then apply itas a top dress (or mulch) around your new plantings
How and why should I use Sweet Peet to top dress my lawn?
We have produced a “how to” video on this subject, so make sure to watch it!Apply a ½” layer of Sweet Peet on the bare spots, spread your seed, top with a ¼” layer of Sweet Peet, water and wait! When you use Sweet Peet you will help to retain the moisture that the seeds need to “pop.” Also, it will prevent the wind and birds from disturbing the seed. And the best part is that you are providing essential nutrients to the soil and there is no straw to rake up afterwards
How do I figure how much to order?
This is always a challenge! The best way to figure this equation out is with a garden calculator. First measure the size of your beds and determine how thick you want to apply it. We recommend 2 ½”-3′′ for most beds. If you also need to add some to the soil for new plantings, just add a little extra to the end amount.
What makes Sweet Peet different from traditional mulch and other composts?
Although Sweet Peet has the same attributes of many other products, how many have them all? It is so versatile! You can use it as mulch, soil amendment, seed starter, in all gardens or in pots! Also, Sweet Peet’s color is naturally derived by the tannins that are created during the composting process. No dyes are added! So, you get a blend that suppresses weeds, nourishes your soil, germinates grass seed and is esthetically appealing…all in one product! Oh, and did I mention that it has a pleasant earthy aroma? That’s right! Even though it contains horse manure, there is no odor!
Can I use Sweet Peet in my vegetable garden?
Yes you can! Use Sweet Peet to nourish your soil by tilling or raking it into your soil before you plant your seeds or vegetables. Then apply a layer of it as a top dress to help keep weeds down and keep your soil from drying out