Your source for Pine Straw* Mulch for the Greater Toledo Area
"Pine Straw FAQs"
What is pine straw? Not really a straw at
all but the pine needles that fall from the trees. Usually sold in bales
like straw these needles make an excellent mulch that is weed free and breaks
down well in the garden.
How is pine straw harvested? The
needles are baled from fields that have been planted in pine forests. The
fields are mowed and sprayed to control the small weeds & grass that
come up. These practices help to maintain a clean bale of pine straw. No
trees are destroyed to create the mulch, as is necessary in the production
of cypress mulch.
How is pine straw packaged? When pine straw is harvested it is baled,
either by hand or with a machine. 2 types of bales are available…
- String-tied bales 13" x 13" x 27" - approx. coverage 50 sq. ft. at a thickness of 2"- 4"
- 3.8 cubic foot bales in plastic
bags with handles Coverage?
Are there different grades of pine straw? Yes. Needles from the improved slash pine are
from 10 to 12 inches long and the most desirable. You want to look for pine
straw that is bright in color, dry, free of weeds and other debris and has
long slash needles,
Does pine straw provide any nutrients for the soil? Pine straw is high in nitrogen and when it
decomposes it becomes a great fertilizer for plants.
Does Pine Straw increase soil acidity? No.
In Organic Gardening July-August 1977 an article elaborated on the
testing of soil that had been mulched with pine straw. Click here to see
details http://www.georgiapinestraw.com/pinestraw.html
What advantages does pine straw have over conventional cypress mulch? The interlocking nature of the needles lets pine straw work very well on slopes. It also keeps the cover from washing away in rainstorms. Cypress mulch simply floats away when water puddles around it.