Are Douglas Fir Needles a Good Mulch - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have three Douglas Fir trees in my yard which produce lots of debris. Rather than filing my yard debris container with the needles, could I...
Knowledgebase
Are Douglas Fir Needles a Good Mulch #788229
Asked April 27, 2022, 10:57 AM EDT
Hello,
I have three Douglas Fir trees in my yard which produce lots of debris. Rather than filing my yard debris container with the needles, could I use them as a mulch for my blueberries, rhodies and azaleas?
Thank you.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi and thanks for your question about using Douglas fir needles as mulch. The answer is yes, especially for acid loving plants like the ones you mentioned. However, unless the needles are really fresh, they won't change the pH of the soil, so you really can use them anywhere.
They are a great mulch which helps conserve water and keeps weeds down when applied thickly. However, they don't break down quickly to actually help the soil, so you could run them through a lawn mower if that is something you want to do. That way, they would decompose more quickly and you could add another layer next year.
Have fun mulching and enjoy your home-grown product!
They are a great mulch which helps conserve water and keeps weeds down when applied thickly. However, they don't break down quickly to actually help the soil, so you could run them through a lawn mower if that is something you want to do. That way, they would decompose more quickly and you could add another layer next year.
Have fun mulching and enjoy your home-grown product!
Thank you! I hope that my inquiry and your answer gets published in the Oregonian.
On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 4:28 PM, Ask Extension<<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thanks, Scot! That is my wish as well.
