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Are your landscape beds in need of a freshening up?
Looking for the best mulch option for your garden beds to make your plants happy?
Perhaps you are considering a pine straw mulch. Or maybe hardwood mulch.
But, which is better; shredded mulch or pine straw for your landscape beds?
Let’s take a look at the facts, and see which option may work best for you.
Below you will find everything you need to know about pine straw mulch.
The Quick Answer: Shredded or Pine Straw Mulch?
Spoiler alert! In short, it comes down to personal preference. Pine straw mulch is cheaper and easier to transport as it does not require tools to spread. On the other hand, shredded mulch offers more options for color, better water retention, and stays in place better than pine straw.
Want to learn more? Then keep reading.
Choosing the Right Mulch
Look, you have a couple of different options when it comes to mulch. And in most parts of the country, shredded mulch is used.
However, you may consider putting down pine straw as an alternative to mulch. It’s a little cheaper because it goes further and is easier to place in the beds.
On the other hand, shredded mulch provides better moisture retention. But which is better?
Here are some points to consider for pine straw versus mulch.
Pros for Pine Straw
Some of the biggest pros of pine straw are:
It’s cheaper, easier to handle and transport. (No tools required),
Some people prefer the aesthetic look of pine straw over mulch, especially in areas with dense pine tree cover,
Pine Straw is better for the environment, as the manufacture of pine straw doesn’t require heavy grinding machinery to make it,
Pine Straw doesn’t create a big mess during installation and won’t run off and stain like mulch can sometimes during heavy rainfall.
In my experience, pine straw is very popular in southern climates as I’ve seen lawn care companies in Atlanta, Georgia, use it quite often.
Additionally, it’s a popular option throughout Florida as well. When I meet with our lawn care companies in St Petersburg, Florida, they say they prefer mulching with pine straw.
Here is an example of the finished look of Pine Straw
Pros for Shredded Mulch
On the other hand, despite being harder to transport. Shredded mulch offers benefits of its own.
Including:
Providing a better moisture barrier for the plants,
It’s easier to clean up leaves and trimmings out of mulch,
It stays in place better than pine straw,
And offers a better weed barrier, and it’s easier to pull weeds from mulch.
If you aren’t one to move around shredded mulch in a wheelbarrow. You may want to consider using bagged mulch instead of bulk. Some people find that bagged mulch is easier to spread than bulk.
Here is an example of the finished look of mulch
True or Myth: Is Pine Straw Bad for Plants?
Many people believe that pine straw can cause the soil to become acidic. And while it’s true that pine trees shed their needles to kill off competing plants, the slightly acidic nature of the needle entirely dissipates after a few days.
True or Myth? Largely myth. While a pine tree dropping needles on your garden may cause the soil to become acidic. The dry pine straw you buy in bales is neutral and will not change your soil chemistry.
Best Mulching Practices
Whatever type of mulch you choose to use, you want to be sure to follow the best mulching practices.
Here are five tips to keep in mind when spreading mulch:
- Mulch at least once a year, though two times is preferable,
- Spread mulch until it is about 2 or 3 inches thick.
- If weeds are a huge problem, you can spread mulch as thick as 6 inches,
- Do not pile mulch around the trunks of shrubs or trees,
- Remember to edge your beds before mulching.
If you are looking for more resources on mulching properly, here are a few of our articles I recommend checking out:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pine straw bad for plants?
No need to worry here - pine straw, especially when dry, is pH neutral and doesn't negatively impact the soil's acidity, making it harmless to your plants.
Which mulch lasts longer?
In the long run, shredded mulch tends to outlast pine straw, offering greater longevity and reducing the frequency of reapplication.
Shredded mulch vs. pine straw cost?
When it comes to expenses, pine straw usually wins the race being less costly to purchase and apply. However, keep in mind that it might need to be replaced more often than its counterpart.
Where to buy pine straw mulch?
You can find pine straw mulch at various places such as local garden centers, landscaping supply companies, or even through online stores.
TLDR: Pine straw vs. mulch: It's a toss-up!
Pine straw:
- Cheaper, easier to handle.
- Natural lo
- ok, good for eco-conscious choices.
- Doesn't mess up during installation.
- May blow away in wind, not great for weed control.
Shredded mulch:
- Better at holding moisture, and keeping weeds out.
- More colors and textures to choose from.
- Stays in place better.
- Can be messy, attract pests.
Bonus: Pine straw myth busted - it won't hurt your soil!
So which is best? Pine Straw or Shredded Mulch?
In my experience, I personally prefer shredded hardwood mulch; it looks better in most landscapes. But it’s also what I grew up seeing in our gardens.
However, it truly comes down to personal preference when deciding which to install in your landscaping beds. And there are certainly some great benefits offered by using pine mulch.
Whatever mulch you choose, as long as it makes you happy at the end of the day, that is all that matters!
Are you a lawn care pro? Running your lawn care business is a lot more than caring for and feeding your client's plants. You must also care for the customers themselves. Here is our guide on keeping the clients you want, and cutting the ones you don't.
