Mulch over Pine Straw? (flower, weeds, plants, pets) - Garden -Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - City-Data Forum

Wolf Howl · 03-27-2011, 02:59 PM

When we moved into this house back in September they had pine straw all around the flower beds but now we want to switch over to black mulch. My question is, should I rake up all the pine needles (not a lot in some places) or can I just put the mulch over the top of the pine straw?

taiinuk12 · 03-27-2011, 04:23 PM

pine straw is mulch it is expensive and not easy to get. stay away from black mulch(tire rubber chip) or red mulch(red dye color).

Caladium · 03-27-2011, 05:38 PM

The pine is good for acid loving plants. We mulched with pine needles one year and then put black mulch over it the next year, and the roses in particular loved it. We really love the black mulch. It's hardwood that's dyed black. Be aware that when you frst put it down the black dye comes off on your hands (and on your pets' paws). One rain is usually all it takes to make the color settle.

Wolf Howl · 03-27-2011, 06:54 PM

Caladium - did you just leave the pine straw down and put the black mulch over it?

Geneyus · 03-29-2011, 08:10 PM

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I was wondering if pine needles help control weeds at all? I was thinking about mulching my flower bed with pine needles, but I went with black mulch because I thought it would look better.

coastal chic · 03-29-2011, 09:14 PM

Pine straw breaks down completely over time, so you can just put regular mulch on top of it.

coastal chic · 03-29-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geneyus

I was wondering if pine needles help control weeds at all?

I have found they do. But you do have to replenish them more often than regular mulch since the pine straw breaks down more quickly.

Wolf Howl · 03-29-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geneyus

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I was wondering if pine needles help control weeds at all? I was thinking about mulching my flower bed with pine needles, but I went with black mulch because I thought it would look better.

I think they've done a good job of that really. No issues with weeds, at least not anymore then what we got with mulch.

Innertuber · 03-30-2011, 05:58 AM

Pine straw breaks down completely over time, so you can just put regular mulch on top of it. - Coastal Chic is correct.

As mentioned it has a minor acidification effect which many plants prefer.

Caladium · 03-30-2011, 12:41 PM

Yes, I put it right on top of the pine needles.