OK to use store bought pine needles to spread around plants to keep moisture in - Ask Extension
I couldn't find straw at Home Depot so I bought a bag of pine needles (my sister in Cincinnati did this so I thought I'd try it). I feel like my peppe...
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OK to use store bought pine needles to spread around plants to keep moisture in #904415
Asked June 05, 2025, 9:13 AM EDT
I couldn't find straw at Home Depot so I bought a bag of pine needles (my sister in Cincinnati did this so I thought I'd try it). I feel like my pepper and basil plants aren't really growing (tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, beets, and cilantro is growing ok). And the peppers are a slightly lighter color. Is it ok to use the pine needles? This is in a raised garden bed.
Mahoning County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi,
So you're using pine straw mulch? I can't find any cautions against it though it's not what is generally recommended for vegetable gardens.
This article compares various types of mulch including pine straw:
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/mulching-garden-soils.html
These articles recommend using it in the landscape and on perennial fruit crops; I think that's because it doesn't degrade as readily as other mulches. The 1st article also talks about the depth you should use (2-4"). I can't tell exactly how deep it is in your photos but I don't think it's too deep.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/using-mulch-garden
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-326/426-326.html
https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/keep-it-covered-the-best-organic-mulches-for-your-vegetable-garden/
If your peppers and basil are a bit yellow, maybe they need to be fertilized. Why don't you do that and see if the color improves and turns more green.
Let me know if you have other questions about this and good luck.
So you're using pine straw mulch? I can't find any cautions against it though it's not what is generally recommended for vegetable gardens.
This article compares various types of mulch including pine straw:
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/mulching-garden-soils.html
These articles recommend using it in the landscape and on perennial fruit crops; I think that's because it doesn't degrade as readily as other mulches. The 1st article also talks about the depth you should use (2-4"). I can't tell exactly how deep it is in your photos but I don't think it's too deep.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/using-mulch-garden
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-326/426-326.html
https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/keep-it-covered-the-best-organic-mulches-for-your-vegetable-garden/
If your peppers and basil are a bit yellow, maybe they need to be fertilized. Why don't you do that and see if the color improves and turns more green.
Let me know if you have other questions about this and good luck.
