Can acorns substitute for rocks?

Pamela Scruggs
by Pamela Scruggs
I have this pile of old acorns that I had collected for the squirrels and they were left outside in a bowl they look to be really water rod it I cannot believe anything can actually grow from them can I use them in the bottom of my flower pots to conserve of the soil space ? (whereas usually I use rocks)
Rotted acorns
  14 answers
  • Gretchen Mercer Gretchen Mercer on Mar 14, 2015
    We had a surplus this year, too! The only problem is that they are going to continue to decay. I've done it. I've even used pine cones to add volume. But, those were for one season...
    • Pamela Scruggs Pamela Scruggs on Mar 14, 2015
      yeah I guess you are right Gretchen but somehow I wonder if having them decayed down there where the roots of my plants will finally go will that give them some aeration I wonder if there's anything positive about it
  • Halie Smith Halie Smith on Mar 14, 2015
    I would be worried about them staying moist and causing mold to grow. You could always try it though and just see how it goes.
    • Pamela Scruggs Pamela Scruggs on Mar 14, 2015
      yes Haley I think mold would be a bad thing I guess I was just trying to do something with them rather than put them in my compost pile but I just wasn't sure
  • Becky Klinkhamer Becky Klinkhamer on Mar 14, 2015
    Yes I have used acorns, oak leaves and pine cones in the bottom, it's a good filler for pots of annuals and short-lived perennials. They will break down and become compost eventually. You might need to top dress the pot after a few months as the organic material breaks down.
    • Pamela Scruggs Pamela Scruggs on Mar 15, 2015
      interesting Becky most people here on hometalk are saying that it is not wise but if it has worked for you there is hope most of them are not hold anymore the squirrels laid waste to them and they are a cracked mess but I thought I could use the shells to fill my pots the bottom of them I mean maybe I will maybe I won't still undecided
  • Lisa McQueen Grondy Lisa McQueen Grondy on Mar 14, 2015
    Ooo Gretchen Mercer,Thanks for the Pine Cone Idea,will Be Very useful as I can't life very much🌻🌻🌻💙
  • Halie Smith Halie Smith on Mar 14, 2015
    If you have holes in the yard you could probaby use them to help fill some in. They'll still decompose but they'll have a purpose.
  • Suebee Suebee on Mar 14, 2015
    Use them as mulch on top ratherbthan underneath as they can and will strike or rot if too old though the type of mould they produce is very good for gardens , excellent even. They do make soil acidic to good for azaleas and rhodo, blueberries, currants etc.
    • Retha Joslin Retha Joslin on Mar 15, 2015
      @Suebee ,I never thought about using them around azelas and rhodo. very smart thank you
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Mar 15, 2015
    I like @Suebee 's idea of using them as mulch. Whole acorns are pretty slow to break down.
  • Ruth wallace Ruth wallace on Mar 15, 2015
    Acorns can be painted and stained like mulch. Put them in a old wheel barrel and pour stain or thinned paint. Toss with shovel then put on old screen to dry. Then use.
    • Pamela Scruggs Pamela Scruggs on Mar 15, 2015
      reduced mostly the squirrels have laid waste to them they are not whole anymore but this is a good idea maybe when I get them next fall I will stain some of them ....not that I know what I will do with them but I bet they'll be pretty
  • Nancy johnson Nancy johnson on Mar 15, 2015
    Mine sprouted and grew!!!!! more problem then worth
  • Pamela Scruggs Pamela Scruggs on Mar 15, 2015
    okay good people I have decided to use them on top of the soil as mulch around my onion sets it will help keep the dirt down and less splash when watering and if any of those bad boys try to grow into oak tree I'll let him have it thank you for all your comments and input
  • Charlene Charlene on Mar 15, 2015
    Old rotting acorns draw bugs.
  • Carol Wentling Carol Wentling on Mar 15, 2015
    I've used them in my compost pile and ended up having hundreds of oak saplings.
  • Kalamazoo Kalamazoo on Mar 17, 2015
    Acorns can be used in pots and put into composts; They will,however, sprout ! To prevent this In composts I have bagged them then run over them first with my car to crush them! If you don't crush them they will take years to deteriorate.
  • Lisa McQueen Grondy Lisa McQueen Grondy on Mar 25, 2015
    Can't they be left to dry out first❓😃