Comments on: Use Pine Needles as Organic Mulch

By: Juie Lee

Juie Lee — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:06:24 +0000

My neighbour is cutting down his Ponderosa Pine tree. Would the green needles be worth harvesting form mulching purposes? Since they take so long to break down, would it be advisable to chop them up first before using?

By: DramaMama

DramaMama — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:12:01 +0000

Beth – when I bought blueberry and blackberry plants (I already have raspberry plants), the people at the garden center told me they NEEDED the acidity! They encouraged me to dig a big hole, line it w/2 inches of pine needles and then even put some on top of the newly planted plant’s base. So far so good =) I couldn’t say how the plant would have done w/o it since I have no comparison. I wasn’t kidding in my earlier comment where I said that we totally cover flower beds w/the needles in fall. I’d be happy to send photos – where? Feel free to check out my blog or email me. Thanks!

By: Beth Mort

Beth Mort — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:19:58 +0000

Hello! I am working on a Ponderosa Pine Project in Spokane, Washington where we have hundreds of thousands of pines. There is a terrible misconception that the needles are too acidic to use – I am trying to break this myth. Do you know of any studies regarding this – or other information you might have gathered about this topic? Thanks for your help! Any photos of how you mulch along with how long you have been doing it would be great!
Beth Mort

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:08:14 +0000

Hey DramaMama. I hope my next house comes with a pine tree so I can do the same! I have heard the pine needles are better suited for flower beds. I imagine it would be quite annoying in the veggie garden.

By: DramaMama

DramaMama — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:51:49 +0000

We have what we believe to be a big Jack Tar pine in our backyard. We use the needles all the time! There are so many we’ve managed to carpet most of our beds w/it. It seems to keep down a lot of little weeds, but we still get big prickers as we call them. Overall we’re happy b/c it’s free! They do take a long time to break down, so it’s not something we put in the compost or garden intentionally.