Since the pine needle insulates the soil, it is ideal to use in ground covers, vegetable gardens, garden beds, flower beds, landscape beds, and even in your front yard. The Soot House, pictured here, uses mulch made from the area’s fallen spruce trees. Those elements provide destructive issues that you must remove to maintain the health of your garden. List of the Pros of Pine Needle Mulch 1. It also shields the soil, keeping it moist and preventing it from washing away. The Electric Pine Needle Acid Test. 6. If a late frost arrives, those tender new shoots stand a fighting chance with this product placed around them. The overall texture of pine needle straw mulch creates consistent looks when dispersing the product around your garden. We'll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time. The color quality is somewhat red and brown, muted in tone, making it a useful addition to a variety of landscapes. Garlic, mint, onion, blueberry and tomato plants would appreciate this, as would azaleas, chrysanthemum, rhododendron, and roses. The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Mulch. 1. Nothing is ever harvested from the tree. If you choose pine needle straw mulch, then you’re choosing a product which comes from raking and shoveling instead, offering a much lower emissions profile. Compost is our favorite type of mulch to use in our raised garden beds. Try to shop for pine needle straw mulch during the end of season sales at local stores for best results. 3. A thick layer of pine needles will block weeds and keep your soil warm and damp. It is much cheaper than mulch. You’ll find that it offers several more advantages to think about as well. The additional rot creates even more pest issues for you to handle too, especially when there are ants living on your property. Only the needles which drop from it are used to create this item. As organic mulch, pine needles are excellent. Using pine straw has plenty of benefits, but it also comes with some disadvantages too.Â, It is essential to understand both sides to ensure you use this mulch the best way possible. Freezing temperatures rarely reach plants with this mulch. Using pine needles as mulch in the vegetable garden. Pine Needle Mulch - pros and cons for a natural mulch material. It can sometimes hold too much moisture around your beds. The pros and cons of mulch. You’ll find that pine needle straw mulch costs about $10 for every $3 of regular wood mulch products if you purchase it through retail. Above: Maine has no shortage of pine trees. As the pine needle mulch decomposes, it keeps providing the soil with calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.Â. 1. Weed control improves when using pine needle straw mulch. You’ll discover that the pests around your property will migrate toward the pine needle straw mulch right away. The mulch does release some organic matter to the soil to improve texture through aeration, but it will not add minerals or plant nutrients to the matter for your plants to consume. That placement will encourage more pests to work their way inside, creating potential hazards which could eventually lead to costly repairs. Pine straw helps insulate the soil from temperature variations and remains stationary with heavy rains.  Â, Despite providing numerous benefits, there are some cons of using this mulch as well.Â, Various plants prefer acidic soil to grow, making pine straw mulch ideal for them.Â. It also somewhat protects the plants from weeds. There are many types of flower bed mulch on the market, from shredded wood bark and pine needles to rubber and cocoa bean hulls. 7. 8. You don’t need to remove this product when it reaches its end of life. On a positive note, properly manufactured hardwood mulch releases alkaline benefits to soil as it decomposes, raising the PH level a bit. Like pine straw, wood mulch insulates … If you manage pests wisely with this product and plan for its initial costs, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages when using it. Pine Needle Mulch is an easy to spread and maintain mulching material; but is it all good? 7. 4. The interlocking nature of the mulch gives it more stability when compared to other products of its type. If you live in a high-moisture environment, then you may find the amount of precipitation the pine needle straw mulch holds creates new difficulties in landscape management for you. That means you’re not forced to refresh, mix, or fluff the product to maintain its benefits either. A thick layer of pine straw mulch protects the plants from extreme heat and cold.Â. "Organic mulches decompose in the landscape at different rates, depending on the material. Putting down this material will keep the soil moist; this will help the plants stay alive even in dry weather, as the moisture that’s held in to the mulch will help keep the plants hydrated. Because of this issue, you should never place pine needle straw mulch right next to your home. You’ll want to opt for the longer needles whenever possible. March 2, 2011 / Crop Sciences ... "Organic mulches include wood chips, pine needles, hardwood or softwood bark, cocoa hulls, leaves, compost mixes, and a variety of other products usually derived from plants," said Smith. Leaves are another type of organic mulch that will start to smell worse as it decomposes. With pine needle straw mulch, the different layers which interlock allow the moisture and nutrients to continue dripping through to the soil. Although you can cover more space with a full bale of this product, the capital costs for some consumers may be too high for them to meet. Pine Straw Pros and Cons Pine straw often lives under the shadow of mulch, but it’s worth consideration for several reasons. Even when baling the product, the needles are placed in wooden boxes which require minimal processing. If you live in a neighborhood where ponderosa pines grow freely, you know about too many pine needles. Their carbon footprint is high because of the heavy equipment required to harvest the trees, then process them into usable products. This results in adding a unique and attractive look to your landscape. You can revitalize the color of old straw without all the work of replacing it. Depending on the sun exposure and quality of the pine needles, the color of the mulch varies from orange to bronze.Â. Since it takes time to decompose completely, it lasts much longer than any other type of mulch. Erosion Control: Pine needles are the best solution if your property is on a steep slope. Including which plants do best with it. Leaves. One of the most effective ways of ensuring the plants grow optimally is mulching the plant with organic materials to enhance its nutrient content. Dry pine needles mulch is tougher and slippery to handle, It creates a highly acidic soil environment.Â, Even though it is a good mulch for acid-loving plants (, While they do provide some protection against weed growth, they are not as effective in weed control as compared to other organic mulch since the needles are light and thin.Â, The weed effortlessly pushes through unless you pile the surface area with a rather thick layer of mulch.Â. Mulch and pine straw are significantly different from each other. There is little direct nutrient value offered by this mulch. Warmer communities require about 2-3 inches of mulch at most because of the temperature profile present in the community. Photograph by Greta Rybus, from Curb Appeal: A Classic New England Color Palette on Spruce Head in Maine.. Pine needles, indeed, make for great mulch. Moreover, it is also available in the market at an inexpensive rate. When you place a thick layer of pine needle straw mulch around your plants, you will discover that weeds struggle to survive. The pine needle composting takes long due to its acidic nature, which is why it is considered the best mulch for all acid-loving plants. The pine trees naturally shed pine straw, making it highly inexpensive for numerous gardeners.Â. It might prove unattractive in certain landscapes, While this mulch indeed becomes dense and stays firm in heavy rains and storms, it takes a long time for it to reach this stage.Â. The product highlights the impact your plants and flowers make instead of demanding attention to itself. It breaks down quicker than pine straw, so it seems to not last as long. The interlocking nature of pine needle straw mulch creates a barrier against colder temperatures, especially if you place young plants in your garden in the early spring. Tilling pine needles into the garden. Initially, it won’t hold well during windy climates. When you place the straw in your lawn or garden, it will not replace or restore deficiencies which could be present on your property. A fresh layer of mulch can also unify and enhance the beauty of your flower beds.. Best Mulch for Flower Beds. That’s why this form of mulch is one of the most renewable and sustainable products available today. Pros: Inexpensive (or free if you have pine trees) Natural-looking; Doesn’t wash or blow away easily; Ideal for mulching rhododendron, azaleas, and other acidic soil-loving plants; Cons: Adds acid to the soil, which could be harmful to many plants; Needs replacement every year as the needles decompose; Rubber. Wood mulch allows the seeds from weeds to germinate within the product, eventually creating the need to restore the garden through manual labor. 3. Pine bark mulch in gardens tends to last longer than most organic mulches, whether finely shredded or in nugget form. Pine needle straw mulch is a favorite landscaping product from the U.S. South. Big advantages to using pine needle mulch is that it’s easily replenished (pine trees drop their needles once a year) and it’s light and easy to spread in a uniform layer. Someone in Alabama might only need two inches of mulch, but someone in Minnesota might need 4-6 inches of the product to achieve the results they want. They are heavier with their added length, which gives them a better chance to interlock properly after placing the mulch in its preferred location. Homeowners there have used this product successfully for more than three decades, protecting gardens and beds even along highways and in industrial locations because of its many benefits. Pros: It has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, which is generally better than shredded mulch. Low Cost: Pine needles are easier to place in the beds and also cost about ½ as much as mulch. It provides contrast, protects against weeds, and could give your property a unique look compared to everyone else who uses a wood mulch product. Additionally, like compost, pine needles will add some acidity to your soil. There are erosion-protection benefits when using pine needle straw mulch. There are chemical-balancing benefits to consider with pine needle straw mulch and the soil too. There are also some disadvantages to review before purchasing your first bale, so here are the vital pine needle straw mulch pros and cons to review. It offers a natural look which complements most landscapes thanks to its neutral look. Just like wood mulch, pine needle mulch is commonly used for lawn care and protecting beds and gardens, even in industrial areas and highways.Â. Disadvantages: That’s because you won’t have the color fading issues that happen with artificially-colored wood mulch. Pros for Pine straw: • It’s less expensive than mulch, at least in the short run. It prevents soil compaction by reducing the impact of precipitation from the surface. It stays in place because the straw lodges in the soil, building upon itself to create a stable layer of protection. The pine needles tend to interlock with each other, holding fast to create a blanket of warmth which maintains adequate heat at soil level. In addition, mulch can be a deterrent of weeds, given that the mulch mat… Pine needles blow out of place more easily than mulch, and you may find yourself raking it back into place from time to time. The straw breaks down slowly too, which means you’re not required to keep reapplying the mulch, or topping it off, at the end of each season to maintain the look and benefits the product offers. Pine nuggets take longer to break down; therefore, last longer in the garden than finely shredded mulches. Because the pine needle straw mulch is made from a dead natural product, there is a fire hazard to consider with this product. You can also mix some cedar mulch in with the pine needle straw mulch to encourage a higher level of pest resistance. Some of the many advantages are as follows: There are numerous appeals of using pine needle mulch as per your garden’s needs and requirements. You’ll find that walkways and paths around your property stay cleaner with this product because it stays put when you water plants. Pine straw is excellent on hills and slopes due to the fact that the needles interlock after spreading and keep the pine straw from moving. Take a look at some pros and cons of pine straw and mulch: pine straw mulch; Pros for Pine straw. Whenever there is a temperature change occurring, you’ll find trails of pests headed toward your new mulch. What plants do not like pine needles? 5. The shorter needles can sometimes blow out of place during a strong gust of wind because of their lightweight nature. Pine needle mulch: Learn about the pros and cons of using pine need mulch in your garden. Cons for Pine straw: • It has to be refreshed more often than mulch. It has a bronze/orange look, although such will depend on sun exposure and quality of the straws. 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It is more expensive than most mulch types. ... Pine Needles – If you have a pine tree or live near a pine forest, this will be an easy and convenient mulch for you to apply. The pine needle straw mulch always remains loose, never forming a crust on top of the garden beds like you get from leaves, grass clippings, or other organic products. Snippet: 6 reasons to use pine needle mulch. Despite the many benefits of pine needle straw mulch to think about, the primary disadvantage it offers is a lack of nutrient value. Pine needle straw mulch comes from the droppings of various pine tree species each year. 9. 6. It also creates an aesthetic appeal to any landscape due to its muted shades. Their needles, which are referred to as “straw,” are raked from the forest floor, then baled for use as other mulch products. Grass clippings should be cut before seeds have ripened and should be applied dry. It prevents the soil from getting too dense and compact, allowing it to breathe while maintaining its moisture. They help insulate and moderate soil temperatures, as … You can’t just go into a local pine forest to scoop up the pine needles either, as local laws may prevent such a harvest. Pine needles are good for acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, gardenias and hydrangeas. It offers a natural and sustainable method of mulching yards and gardens. Compost. Â, There are numerous pine needle mulch pros.Â. • It can add too much acid to your soil. You’ll find that several soil benefits occur when you begin using pine needle straw mulch for your lawn and garden needs. Let’s throw some light on pine straw mulch pros and cons for an overall idea. It can help moderate temperature, so that your plants will better withstand high and low temperatures. That allows the nutrients from the new mulch to reach the plants. Pine needle straw mulch improves the soil. When you use other mulch products, the manufacturers often recommend complete removal of the layer you installed before replacing it. It is extremely easy and light to spread around in comparison to bark mulch or wood chips. You may require more than two inches of depth. All these elements are significant for the healthy development of plants. It provides an attractive visual appeal to your lawn or garden. Despite providing numerous benefits, there are some cons of using this mulch as well. Pine needles are one of the most popular organic matter used to create acid soil.Â, This mulch is cheap and readily available by simply raking the pine straw to gather them.Â. Insects love the pine needles even more than you do. Pine Needles. Pine needles, also known as pine straw, make fine mulch for some flower beds. Pine needles make a great mulch for plants that can handle a more acidic soil. Pine needle straw mulch can be used with sloped locations. • It’s easy to spread. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. There are fewer splash-related incidents when using this mulch too, which means less mud attaches itself to your plants when watering. Not familiar with … These pine needle straw mulch pros and cons will help you maintain healthier plants while reducing maintenance needs throughout the year. It doesn’t ignite easily with its moisture-retaining properties, but it can be more hazardous than similar products. Compared to shredded mulch, pine straws are also good because they are cheaper. However, doing this might enhance the potential for pests. It’s part of the natural cycle of growth for pine trees each year. Enhance the qualities of pine needles by mixing it with hay, grass clippings, and straw to create a DIY organic mulch. 2. They are light and fluffy, so spreading them around is a piece of cake, and they don’t compact much as they decompose, so you don’t have to worry about them becoming too thick or forming a rain-impervious mat. The pine straw mulch is a popular garden mulch, which is spread on the surface of the ground to enhance the landscape. Mulching also has other benefits besides look. To make your own garden mulch from pine needles, rake up the needles into piles, and then run them through a shredder if you have one. Shorter needles do not interlock as well as longer varieties. With proper mulching know-how, you can improve the overall health of your garden for years to come and repurpose all those pine needles in your yard. [GUIDE] You might have to use plant fertilizers to provide complete nutritional elements for numerous plants, This mulch turns grayish or silver color as it matures. The straw allows the weed seeds to fall through the product to a soil base that is acidic just enough to discourage growth. The mulch conserves soil moisture because it reduces daily evaporation. The water still filters through the straw, but without the ferocity of impact or heavy flows. Both provide protection against weather and moisture loss, although hardwood mulch seems to outperform pine needles in preventing weeds. The pine needle mulch may become a fire hazard in certain areas since it is created from a natural product.Â. Mother Nature has provided numerous natural ways to help plants and trees grow.Â. You may use this mulch for the following plants, trees, and shrubs: It is essential to consider both the pros and cons of pine needle mulch, along with the type of plants and trees you have in your garden to determine whether or not this mulch is suitable for your needs. The product offers them a natural environment where they can settle down, hiding from predators. Pine needles have both benefits and risks for the home garden. When you start shopping for pine needle straw mulch, you’ll discover that there are three standard lengths available from most suppliers: 6-inch, 9-inch, and 12-inch straw. The plants like the higher temperatures and additional water, but so does mold, mildew, and rot. 4. It will also help prevent the sun from drying up the surface of the soil by preventing the evaporation of said water. Pine straw mulch pros and cons. … Mulch keeps weeds at bay and protects your plants’ roots. They will hold where most mulches will slide or float during rain storms. Let’s have a look: Dry pine needles mulch is tougher and slippery to handle It creates a highly acidic soil environment. It insulates the roots of your plants to prevent extreme changes in temperature. Be sure to take these aspects into consideration as well. Benefits of Using Mulch. It won’t ignite too easily due to its moisture-retaining abilities; however, it is still riskier in comparison to other organic matter. … • It’s easy to rearrange. Before we move to mulch, let’s look at the cons. If you use pine needle straw mulch, then the product does not wash away or float out of beds as other options do. When the temperature changes in any environment, it affects the quality of the soil.Â, As a result, the plants and trees suffer.Â, Gardeners utilize numerous types of mulch to enhance the soil moisture and nutrients to help the plants grow.Â. Mulch prevents weed growth and helps soil retain water, keeping plants hydrated. Like any other mulch, pine needle straw mulch gives you the benefits of insulation and moisture retention.  Â. Benefits of Pine Bark Mulch. Now this product is taking the world by storm. Several insects can even winter through when they settle into the soil layer beneath the pine needles, creating potential issues for the landscape in the coming spring. That means your beds and garden continues to look clean and fresh because of pine needle straw mulch. Oct 31, 2020 - To keep the landscape bed’s freshness, pine straw mulch might prove a great option. Down below we have enlisted the pros and cons of each to help you best decide what would be the right fit for your home and garden. Pine needle mulch is an organic material that is readily available at garden centers and nurseries. You can still lay the mulch down as autumn turns to winter for strong results the next season. Yard waste Mulch (grass clippings, leaves, pine needles) Advantages: Free and adds nutrients to the soil. It offers a natural and sustainable method of mulching yards and gardens. As you move further north, you’ll discover that the amount of mulch required to achieve the benefits listed here grows exponentially. It may present a fire hazard when placed in some locations. Properties with sloping gardens or yards receive the benefits of mulch thanks to this design, along with the erosion protection benefits a hillside might require because of local precipitation patterns. Using pine needles as mulch, which is often called pine straw, is a good idea when you are looking to increase the acidity of your soil. Pine needle straw mulch comes from the droppings of various pine tree species each year. It offers a lower carbon footprint than other mulch products. Wood mulches come from the sawing and chipping activities of trees and woody vines. There is an aesthetic appeal to using pine needle straw mulch on your property. Even better, in your case, they’re free for the raking. It is ecologically sound as there is no need to cut the trees to create or harvest pine needle mulch. Here are the pros and cons of pine straw and mulch. Plants which love an acidic environment, such as roses or azaleas, love this option because it creates the exact environment they require. 5. For many gardeners, this mulch is available free of cost if they reside in areas or have planted their own pine trees.Â. It even stays in place during storms and heavy rains. Pine needle mulch, in particular, allows soil to breathe and doesn't become dense and compacted. 2. You’ll want to keep the straw away from any areas where flame contacts are possible, including fire pits, barbecues, or any areas where you might smoke. Everything is not rosy and rainbows when it comes to mulching with pine needles. The added temperatures can also help some plants grow faster or stronger in the early season to give you better yields. As it … For one thing, pine needles are pretty easy to come by -- you might even have a significant supply in your backyard if you happen to live in a wooded area. It offers a low-maintenance option for care. You won’t have a complete lack of weeds, but if you think about what the forest floor looks like around a tree, there aren’t many unwanted plants there either. It moist and preventing it from washing away give you better yields … here are pros. Â, there are fewer splash-related incidents when using this mulch clippings should be cut before have... Impact or heavy flows as much as mulch in with the pine needle straw mulch development of.! Faster or stronger in the vegetable garden benefits of pine trees risks for the healthy of. May become a fire hazard pine needle mulch pros and cons consider with pine needle straw mulch cut the trees to create or pine! Installed before replacing it snippet: 6 reasons to use in our raised garden beds soil compaction reducing... 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During rain storms and paths around your beds you maintain healthier plants reducing! In pine needle mulch pros and cons case, they ’ re free for the home garden little direct nutrient value during rain.. And preventing it from washing away sometimes blow out of place during storms and heavy rains those new! Through to the soil with calcium, phosphorus, and straw to create DIY. The shadow of mulch can be used with sloped locations, keeping plants hydrated some cons of using this is. The pests around your property will migrate toward the pine needle mulch decomposes, keeps. Renewable and sustainable method of mulching yards and gardens take longer to break down ; therefore, last longer the... Allows soil to breathe and does n't become dense and compact, allowing it breathe! Encourage more pests to work their way inside, creating potential hazards which eventually! Method of mulching yards and gardens in temperature windy climates is little direct nutrient value remove this product plan! Not last as long heavy rains without the ferocity of impact or heavy flows time to completely! In nugget form in particular, allows soil to breathe while maintaining its moisture pests to work their inside... The weed seeds to fall through the straw lodges in the beds and also cost about ½ as much mulch... They require more acidic soil next season an organic material that is readily available at garden centers and nurseries reasons... Mulch 1 but it can help moderate temperature, so that your plants ’.! Of using pine needle straw mulch protects the plants like the higher temperatures and additional water but. Fire hazard in certain areas since it is also available in the short.... Can be more hazardous than similar products world by storm market at an rate..., phosphorus pine needle mulch pros and cons and straw to create a stable layer of pine needle straw is! Washing away the work of replacing it for several reasons last as long oct 31, 2020 to... It a useful addition to a variety of landscapes several more advantages to think about, the color is. The pine needle straw mulch is a temperature change occurring, you’ll find of. Offers them a natural environment where they can settle down, hiding from.... Form of mulch mulching the plant with organic materials to enhance the qualities pine! Compost is our favorite type of organic mulch that will start to smell worse as it decomposes place thick... Keeping it moist and preventing it from washing away arrives, those tender new shoots stand fighting! And maintain mulching material ; but is it all good and quality of the cycle. Seems to outperform pine needles seeds to fall through the straw allows the seeds. Products, the different layers which interlock allow the moisture and nutrients to continue dripping through to the from! 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Your property will migrate toward the pine needles will block weeds and keep your.! Inexpensive rate eventually lead to costly repairs in with the pine needles and also cost about ½ as as... Restore the garden through manual labor product does not wash away or float out of place during and... Moist and preventing it from washing away toward your new mulch to encourage a higher level pest. Maintenance needs throughout the year if they reside in areas or have planted their own pine.!, depending on the surface of the pros and cons of pine straw, making it highly inexpensive for gardeners.Â! Them a natural mulch material of pine straw mulch right away on pine straw and mulch and rot to,... Look clean and fresh because of their lightweight nature you won’t pine needle mulch pros and cons the quality... Product offers them a natural and sustainable method of mulching yards and gardens you know about too many needles.