Pine Needle Mulch Vs Hardwood Mulch

Pros for pine straw.

Pine needle mulch vs hardwood mulch.

Pine straw mulch comes from pine tree needles which are raked and baled for use as mulch so the product is renewable and is naturally sourced. Pine needles aka pine straw hardwood mulch is alkaline. Pine bark and hardwood mulches make up just two. Before we move to mulch let s look at the cons.

Nonetheless this price benefit is noticeable only in the short term. The material a homeowner chooses to use as the base of the beds differ in the areas of application cost maintenance longevity safety and interaction with the plants. Some people prefer the aesthetic look of pine straw over mulch especially in areas with dense pine tree cover. Beds provide framing for a lawn and are the place for flowers trees and shrubs to grow.

Here is a example of the finished look of mulch. The most popular materials for filling beds include wood chips mulch and pine straw. It s cheaper easier to handle and transport. However they do biodegrade more quickly and therefore need to be replenished more frequently which offsets.

To provide you with a better understanding of the two here is a close look at the different factors and the way the two are similar or different. Pine needles are easier to place in the beds and also cost about as much as mulch. It can add too much acid to your soil. The advantages of mulch over pine needles include.

It s easy to rearrange. You may need to amend soil to counteract this if your plants have a strong preference. It s less expensive than mulch at least in the short run. They will hold where most mulches will slide or float during rain storms.

Benefits of using mulch. Offers a better weed barrier and it s easier to pull weeds for mulch. Cons for pine straw. Hardwood mulch is heavier so it s not as easy to move but it s usually a little better for the soil as it decomposes.

If budget is an important consideration then pine straw is a great choice. Pine needles are the best solution if your property is on a steep slope. It has to be refreshed more often than mulch. Mulch vs pine straw.

Colored wood mulch is often made from recycled wood that can contain objectionable additives including arsenic from pressure treated wood and is not always 100 hardwood pressure treated wood containing arsenic was phased out a decade ago by the epa but old crates and pallets may still be entering the recycling stream. Mulch performs a key role in an attractive healthy garden or landscape but the array of choices can prove daunting. It s easy to spread.