Using pine needles as a mulch - Ask Extension
I have a lot of fallen pine needles that I would like to use as a general mulch around my shrub and flower beds. Where should I avoid doing this?
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Using pine needles as a mulch #814473
Asked October 17, 2022, 12:15 PM EDT
I have a lot of fallen pine needles that I would like to use as a general mulch around my shrub and flower beds. Where should I avoid doing this?
Thank you,
Gerry
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi Gerry,
You likely don't need to avoid any areas, since even alkaline-loving species (of which there aren't many) can tolerate whatever minor and temporary amount of soil acidification the needles will produce. (This impact of lowering acidity temporarily will occur mainly as the needles begin to break down, since finished compost, regardless of the material type at the beginning of breakdown, winds-up being near-neutral in pH.) Many of our woodland natives and even non-native ornamental plants generally grow best in acidic or slightly-acidic soil conditions, and many of any tree, shrub, or perennial roots in that area are probably beyond the depth to which this pH change will occur.
Miri
You likely don't need to avoid any areas, since even alkaline-loving species (of which there aren't many) can tolerate whatever minor and temporary amount of soil acidification the needles will produce. (This impact of lowering acidity temporarily will occur mainly as the needles begin to break down, since finished compost, regardless of the material type at the beginning of breakdown, winds-up being near-neutral in pH.) Many of our woodland natives and even non-native ornamental plants generally grow best in acidic or slightly-acidic soil conditions, and many of any tree, shrub, or perennial roots in that area are probably beyond the depth to which this pH change will occur.
Miri
