Pine Needle Mulch Vs Hardwood Mulch

Here is a example of the finished look of mulch.

Pine needle mulch vs hardwood mulch.

They will hold where most mulches will slide or float during rain storms. It s easy to spread. It s easy to rearrange. Mulch performs a key role in an attractive healthy garden or landscape but the array of choices can prove daunting.

Before we move to mulch let s look at the cons. Pine bark and hardwood mulches make up just two. It s less expensive than mulch at least in the short run. Pros for pine straw.

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. Offers a better weed barrier and it s easier to pull weeds for mulch. You may need to amend soil to counteract this if your plants have a strong preference. The advantages of mulch over pine needles include.

If budget is an important consideration then pine straw is a great choice. It has to be refreshed more often than mulch. 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. It s cheaper easier to handle and transport.

Pine needles are acidic. Pine needles aka pine straw hardwood mulch is alkaline. Mulch vs pine straw. Beds provide framing for a lawn and are the place for flowers trees and shrubs to grow.

Benefits of using 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. 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. Pine needles are easier to place in the beds and also cost about as much as mulch.

However they do biodegrade more quickly and therefore need to be replenished more frequently which offsets. Pine needles are the best solution if your property is on a steep slope. Nonetheless this price benefit is noticeable only in the short term. The most popular materials for filling beds include wood chips mulch and pine straw.

Pine needles are less expensive and go further. Cons for pine straw. Pros for pine straw.