So, you’re surveying your home garden one day and realize it’s almost time to replace the pine straw spread. Now, one of your friends suggested using mulch, given its benefits. Only now you’re wondering “how” should you do it.
Do you simply pour the mulch over the pine straw? Or should you rake out the pine straw before putting the mulch? And will it impact the soil’s health?
Below, I’ll explain everything you need to do when replacing pine straw with mulch. I’ll also include some pointers on whether replacing pine straw with mulch is a good idea for your garden, so keep reading!
Do I Need to Remove the Pine Straw Before Spreading Mulch?
You don’t need to remove the pine straw when switching to mulch. So, you can put down that rake and forget the grueling task of raking out the straws!
See, pine straws break down and decompose quickly. In a few months, they’ll decay and become organic matter, bringing nutrients to your garden plants.
In short, laying mulch over pine needles is safe for your soil and plants and not something unheard of.
One reason people remove pine straws before spreading mulch is the misguided idea that pine straws alter the soil’s acidity. It’s been a persistent myth among gardeners for a while.
That said, although the soil around pine trees is often acidic, this pH level has nothing to do with the trees. The real reason for this lies in the environmental requirement of pine trees.
Pine trees prefer areas with well-drained and soil with lower pH levels. In other words, these trees simply prefer land with acidic soil!
So, no, you don’t need to remove pine straws when switching mulches. And you can use pine straws even on plants that prefer alkaline soil.
Can You Put Mulch Over the Pine Straw Directly?
You can place mulch over pine straw directly. As I said above, pine breaks down easily—working its way into the soil and turning into plant sustenance.
Still, while it’s technically safe, you’d want to be careful about its thickness to avoid soil compaction, especially if you have moisture-needy plants.
On one hand, mulch acts as a barrier against weeds. So, if you spread it too thin, you’re giving space for weeds to push through and thrive.
On the other hand, the mulch’s thickness also controls the amount of water that seeps through. Thus, laying it too thick can restrict the water flow and affect the plant’s health.
Here’s a general rule of thumb when spreading mulch:
Layer one to two inches if you have finer mulch. For coarse mulch, two to four inches in thickness should be ideal.
Also, note the pine straw’s thickness before deciding how much mulch to lay.
Finally, don’t forget to water the mulch after spreading. Water will help settle the mulch quickly after laying.
Is Mulch Better Than Pine Straw?
Mulch has been a popular trend among gardening enthusiasts lately. But which is better for your garden, mulch or pine straw?
Benefits of Mulch
As you know, mulch is an organic material layered on the soil’s surface. Bark chips, compost, leaves, and straw are common mulches used by gardeners.
One benefit of mulch is it helps conserve water availability in the soil for the plants. If you flip the mulch over, you’ll often see its underneath slightly moist.
Additionally, mulch protects the soil from erosion. Mulch, acting as a cover, prevents the loss of fertile soil from water and wind erosion, ultimately benefiting the plants.
Depending on the type of mulch, it can effectively prevent grass from growing. It controls the soil temperature and protects plant roots as well.
Finally, mulch lasts four to seven years, so you won’t have to replace it annually!
Benefits of Pine Straw
Of course, there’s also a long list of benefits to using pine straws instead.
First off, pine needles are virtually available everywhere. Depending on your location, you might not need to spend $45 to $120 per cubic yard to cover your garden with mulch.
This mulch, made from fallen pine needles, is an excellent choice for its lightweight, cohesive, and stable properties.
Like regular mulch, pine straws help with the soil’s moisture, weed growth, temperature control, and prevent erosion. Also, it doesn’t tend to harden and compact, unlike wood mulch.
It’s easier to maintain as well.
The straws stay loose and light, making it easier to spread without the risk of damaging plant roots. And as the needles break down slowly, frequent topping up isn’t necessary.
Final Thoughts
The top layer of your garden is vital to maintain plant and soil health. Thus, it’s your job as a gardener to know which mulch to use.
That said, you can lay mulch over pine straws any time. It won’t affect your plant or soil in any way. The only thing you’ll need to be careful about is its thickness.
Happy gardening!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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