Residential Pine Needles & Mulch

Pine needles make a good garden mulch.

Pine needles are the mulch of choice among Southerners and rose gardeners for many reasons. Pine mulch is attractive, organic and, in most cases, free of charge. If you happen to have evergreens in your landscape, the needles they drop every year will keep you in pine mulch for the season. It's an easy and effective form of recycling.

Mulch Defined

Mulch is a layer of peat moss, compost, wood chips or other material spread on the surface of the soil and under plants in a garden. Mulch prevents the loss of moisture from the soil, keeps weeds at bay, improves aesthetics, and enriches the soil when the organic matter eventually breaks down. For these reasons, most gardeners use mulch.

Pine Mulch

Pine needles, and even shredded pine cones, make an excellent mulch, according to The Ohio State University Extension. It is especially beneficial for evergreens and acid-loving plants such as roses. The American Rose Society uses pine mulch at its official Rose Garden in Greenwood, LA. Though pine mulch has long been a favorite of Southern gardeners, it is now available commercially in other parts of the United States.

Terpenes

Pine needles contain terpenes, which can interfere with seed germination and new plant growth. Terpenes also are highly flammable, often intensifying forest fires. But by the time the pine needles become mulch in the garden, the needles have browned and the terpene has dissipated. Adding manure or grass clippings will break down any remaining terpenes.

Acid Soil

Another consideration when using pine needles is their acid content. Pine needle mulch may change the soil pH of your garden to make it more acidic. Some plants, however, thrive in acidic soil. These include hydrangeas, azaleas, roses and rhododendrons. Some vegetables and herbs love acidic soil, as well. If your plants do not like acidic soil, just add lime to the mulch to balance the pH.

Benefits

Mulching with pine needles is beneficial for many reasons. Using pine needles as mulch is a form of recycling. In most cases, pine needles can be obtained at no cost. And in the garden, they cool the soil and make it difficult for weeds to root deeply, so they're easier to pull. Pine needles also make a good barrier against slugs, which love to devour hostas, coleus and other perennials.

References

• The Ohio State University Extension: Mulching Landscape Plants
• All Experts: Fertilizer--Pine Needles as Mulch