In some areas of the country, the choice between mulching with pine needles and wood mulch is a tough one. Since the 1980s, pine straw has been the favorite mulch in the South. It is inexpensive, ...

Mulching is vital fall prep to ensure our garden soil is at optimum health come spring. Covering bare soil is a way of ...

Organic mulch keeps soil cool, moist, and weed-free while boosting long-term soil health. Great natural mulches include compost, chopped leaves, pine needles, and straw. A thick 3-inch mulch layer, ...

Over the years, I’ve had many questions from readers about using pine straw as a mulch in the vegetable garden. Is it a good idea? Let’s cover some of the basics. Mulching is a long-established ...

Question: I have an almost endless supply of pine needles. Can I use them for mulch in vegetable gardens? Answer: Pine needles make great mulch. They knit together to not wash away and are loose ...

'November mulching also adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down over the winter, and gives beneficial insects a place to ...

Wood mulch and wood chips will mat down to make a firm but spongy surface for your garden paths and around playsets. Pine straw is too slippery to walk on, so skip it when mulching these high-traffic ...

Welcome to Mulch World. This is where the grumpy gardener is gonna tell you everything you need to know about the mulches for your garden, the ones that are really good, and the ones that really stink ...

Q: Do pine needles make good winter mulch, or will they change the acidity of the soil? A: Pine needles make an excellent organic winter mulch. Thanks to their curved shape, they “breathe” well, so ...

Gardening is something I enjoy doing and I spend at least half of each day in my garden. It gets me outside, in the fresh air, and exercising. However, pulling weeds is my least favorite garden chore.

Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Composted hardwood bark is an excellent mulch choice for the Northeast, while pine straw and pine fines are ...

QUESTION: I have a maple tree in my backyard. My gardener cut the grass growing around it too low, and the grass died. Can I put pine needles around the tree to make the area more attractive? Some of ...