ALAN HAIGH
The Home Orchard Co.
Carmel, New York 

I have a fruit tree landscaping business. Caring for very large and majestic apple trees comprises the lion’s share of my business, but I also own a small fruit tree nursery. I provide my customers with bearing-age fruit trees that require some special care for rapid and successful establishment.

Transplanted bearing-age fruit trees tend to spend too much energy on fruit at the expense of their root systems. Removing flower and fruit is helpful, but maintaining a plant-free five foot circle at the base is crucial to their establishment.

A couple of inches of Sweet Peet® over a few sheets of newspaper is an ideal way to maintain these plant-free circles. Unlike most other mulches, Sweet Peet® doesn’t rob nutrients from the soil and instead actually feeds my trees. The payoff is rapid establishment, bigger trees and a shorter wait for luscious fruit.