I prefer aged cow poop! I also make my own compost but I also plant in containers and have limited space so I dont need alot. I am starting my own worm farm so I can have that also.

Isn't sweet peet just horse manure and wood chips? Nearly anyone with horse in your area will be delighted for you to take away horse manure for you to compost. Or cows, or even chickens.

It does matter what goes into compost -- there's a fine art to high quality compost and it comes from mixing the right amounts of green, brown and air and water. The compost forum should be able to help you out with the details... and probably more than you ever wanted to know.

It is possible to make excellent compost without being a compost fanatic and without expensive equipment. Leaf mold is one of the best composts. If you have enough time (approx. 2 years), just pile the leaves you rake in the fall in a tall pile, 3 ft. or more, and wait. To cut that time in half, the leaves need to be shredded. Picking up leaves with a mulching mower equipped with a grass catcher is an easy way to do that.

Putting all your grass, leaves and yard trimmings through a shredder-chipper (which requires an initial investment) and making a pile gives good results. All of that stuff eventually will decompose. It can't be prevented. Dirt doesn't have to be complicated.

Jim

Peat has its own set of associated problems so adding much of it to your garden could only complicate it more. I agree that the Soil, Compost & Mulch forum would be the best place to get info on your question.

But personally I think that yes, you are over-thinking it just a bit. ;) Composting, just the process of it alone, results in a very beneficial, clean, and healthy soil amendment given that only organic materials go into it. While I wouldn't use "compost/loam that is very sandy and chunky with large particles of wood and rock" other bulk mixes from local landscapers may be great (not to mention cheaper).

If nothing else inexpensive bagged composted manures and an inexpensive compressed bale of peat mixed together would give you the same products that you'd be paying much more for with the Sweet Peet" stuff.

But do check out the Soil forum for even more suggestions. It is their focus.

Dave