Benefits of using mulch.
Pine needles vs hardwood mulch.
It s more expensive than pine straw.
It stays in place longer than pine straw.
Here is a example of the finished look of mulch.
Pine needles are less expensive and go further.
It s cheaper easier to handle and transport.
It stays in place better than pine straw.
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.
However they do biodegrade more quickly and therefore need to be replenished more frequently which offsets.
Pine needles are acidic.
Like pine straw wood mulch insulates soil during cold temps and cools it during the summer heat.
Mulch performs a key role in an attractive healthy garden or landscape but the array of choices can prove daunting.
If budget is an important consideration then pine straw is a great choice.
Provides a better moisture barrier for plants.
Pine needles are easier to place in the beds and also cost about as much as mulch.
Nonetheless this price benefit is noticeable only in the short term.
Some people prefer the aesthetic look of pine straw over mulch especially in areas with dense pine tree cover.
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 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 can work as mulch pine needles also known as pine straw make fine mulch for some flower beds.
They will hold where most mulches will slide or float during rain storms.
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.
Mulch vs pine straw.
You may need to allot a whole morning to spreading mulch depending on your square footage.
Pros for pine straw.
On a positive note properly manufactured hardwood mulch releases alkaline benefits to soil as it decomposes raising the ph level a bit.
It breaks down quicker than pine straw so it seems to not last as long.
Pine needles aka pine straw hardwood mulch is alkaline.
The advantages of mulch over pine needles include.
Offers a better weed barrier and it s easier to pull weeds for mulch.
Pine bark and hardwood mulches make up just two.
You may need to amend soil to counteract this if your plants have a strong preference.
