The use of pine straw as a ground cover mulch in landscaping gardens or around trees and in garden beds has recently seen rising popularity in the southern states especially because it is a very clean mulch, attractive, and provides exceptional value for most landscaping situations. In fact according to Dr. Eric L. Taylor, Extension Specialist, and Jay Tate, Extension Associate, Department of Forest Science, Texas A&M University;

“Pine straw, however, helps provide favorable growing conditions and stimulates healthy plant development because pine straw;

• Insulates tender roots from temperature extremes keeping the soils warm during cool spells and cool during warm spells,
• Conserves soil moisture by reducing water evaporation rates and moisture loss,
• Eliminates erosion caused by wind and rain splash impact,
• Protects against soil compaction by reducing the rain impact directly on the soil surface, and
• Aids in promoting favorable soil tithe for healthy root growth.

Pine straw creates a chemically balanced bed for acid loving plants such as azaleas and roses. Pine straw may also save homeowners time in landscape maintenance because the thick layer of straw hinders the establishment of weeds which reduces weeding time, cleanup, and edging. Pine straw may also provide an effective barrier against soil-born diseases. As pine straw mulch slowly breaks down, it releases organic matter.

Over time, this organic matter improves soil texture by allowing air to infiltrate the soil and encouraging beneficial soil microorganisms. There is little direct nutrient value in the mulch, but a variety of physical properties give it advantages over other organic mulches:

Stability – Pine needles interlock and hold together during hard rains, heavy winds, and even on landscapes with considerable slope. Pine straw doesn’t float and wash out of beds like wood mulches. This helps keep walkways cleaner further reducing maintenance efforts.

Porosity – Pine straw remains loose and friable and does not form a top crust like grass clippings, leaves, and some wood mulch. Loose mulch allows water to infiltrate readily into the soil for plant availability and avoids wasteful runoff of irrigation. The large air pockets, however, help prevent it from remaining excessively wet and damaging roots.

Weed Control – Pine straw mulch greatly reduces weed control efforts as wood mulches have a higher tendency to import weed seed in an ideal seedbed for germination. Pine straw around trees reduces the need to use string trimmers (”weed-eaters”) around the base of each tree. This reduces maintenance costs, but also prevents plant death from girdling wounds caused by the trimmer.

Visual Appeal – The fine texture and uniform color of pine straw is simply more aesthetically pleasing to some users. The non-detracting, earthly facade brings out the color, contrast and texture of landscapes. Pine straw also prevents plants, flowers and fruit from becoming splashed with mud. Added annually, it gives landscapes a fresh clean and renewed appearance.

Longevity- Pine straw breaks down more slowly than wood mulch, so it needs to be re-applied less often.

Lightweight – Pine straw is easily handled because of its lightweight.”

Quite often you will find pine mulch is used by both homeowners for general gardening as well as landscape companies for larger jobs. If you have a large job it is often easier to order pine straw mulch in bulk at wholesale prices. A quick Google search for wholesale pine mulch should give you a list of companies willing to serve your area. By doing this you will save more money than you might by going through your local home and garden store.

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