What to do with pine needles?
by
Jam27696633
+1
I've never lived around pine trees before, now I have a beautiful Afghan Pine. The needles drop like crazy. Do I leave them, rake them every few days, or what. I've been told that nothing grows under pines.
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
You can leave them as they will not harm the trees themselves. You can sellect acid loving plants for under neath them based on your hardiness zone and allowable planting room.It there are to many roots,consider making container plantings.
I would rake them if there is a thick layer. I was also told that but I did plant hosta's, day lilies, irises, and dahlias under ours. They grow great!
Azaleas love pine needle mulch. Either plant some nearby, or mulch any existing azaleas you might have.
Pine straw (needles) make wonderful mulch - especially for hydrangeas, azaleas, and or any plant liking acidic soil - although the pine needles don't acidify the soil too much. You can also use them as compost in the garden. I bring bucketsful of pine needles from my neighbor's trees to my garden, add ashes, leaves, shredded paper, etc. and cover with plastic. Leave over winter and in the spring you have a wonderful black compost ready to plant in!
I like the look of a tree that is mulched under its canopy by its own discharge. I would leave it alone.
Hello there,
Bag them up and let them rot down and use for acidic loving plants. Don't forget to label the bag........