Are pine needles really good or bad for composting?
by
Mgwouden
+14
I have heard that Pine needles are good for compost.
I have also heard that they are not good for composting because of the acidity in pine needles. And the pine needles take a couple of years to break down to be helpful.
I want to understand. I have lots of pine needles in my yard.
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pimne needles have a lot of acid in them.I do not recommend using that in compost
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/composting-pine-needles.htm
Pine needles take about 8 years to rot down and are not good for a compost pile or garden. About the only thing I've found that they are good for is mulching around azalea bushes.
Not good for compost, we rake ours back under the tree, keeps the weeds from growing
There are good for acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, camelias and others.
They are good to use as a mulch for acid loving plants.
Not that good as they take a long time to decompose.
You are very welcome.
The the needles break down more slowly than other organic matter in your compost pile pile, even when the pile is hot, so limit them to 10 percent of the total volume of the pile. Composting the needles is to simply leave them where they fall, allowing them to serve as a mulch for the tree.