Six Things You Should Know About Pine Straw

“Mulch” is a general term that landscapers and homeowners use to describe organic material that helps to keep the soil moist and reduce the growth of weeds. Around the nation, mulches can come in a variety of different materials, but in the South, pine straw has been the preferred choice since the 1980s. It quickly became a favorite substitute for other traditional mulches due to its affordability, attractiveness, and availability. If you are deciding whether pine straw is right for your landscaped areas, here are six things to consider.

1. It Weighs Less Than Wood Alternatives

Pine straw weighs significantly less than other types of wood mulches. That means less labor-intensive when you are placing it around, and it also means that spring clean-up is much easier. An individual bale of pine straw weighs somewhere around 35 pounds and can cover up to 50 square feet. Wood mulch weighs about 25 pounds to cover about 12 square feet, which is a big difference in terms of labor.

2. It is Sustainable

Pine straw is harvested from local and regional timber farms. If you have pine straw in your backyard already, however, it is not only free; it is more environmentally friendly for you to use natural resources. Using natural material means that you don’t have to use fuel to have it delivered from one place to the next; it also means that you are using what you have to make your landscaping look better.

3. It is Less Expensive

One reason why homeowners use pine straw is that it is more economical than wood mulch. The average price of a bag of mulch is about $3.33 per bag; since each bag covers about twelve feet, that means it costs about $10 for 36 square feet. Pine straw, on the other hand, costs about $4 a bale, covering about 50 square feet, which means that pine straw covers about three and a half times more area for the same price.

4. It is an Excellent Insulator

Mulch is used to keep moisture in the soil, reduce soil erosion, cut down on the growth of weeds, and keep the soil cooler in the summertime and warmer in the winter. Pine straw acts like a blanket, which means that it works extra well during the hot summer and cold winter to protect the root system.

5. It Retains Moisture Well

Pine straw works to reduce the evaporation of moisture around plants, shrubs, and trees. When moisture is depleted in the summer and winter, your tree will have a harder time retaining water and staying healthy. Pine straw is a great insulator, but it also allows air space over the ground that allows water to pass through the soil; it keeps moisture in instead of allowing it to escape. 

6. It Might Not Be the Best for Preventing Weeds

Pine straw is a great insulator and protector for root systems, but it might not be the best option for reducing weed growth. When compared to other types of mulch, pine straw doesn’t do such a great job at weed elimination. Therefore, if you are going to use pine straw, you might want to consider a weed-preventer spray, too, just to be on the safe side!

If you are looking to make your lawn spring green for the spring ahead, then preparing for the winter is the key. Mulch is a great way to keep your trees, shrubs, and other landscaping plants healthy, but which is best for you: wood mulch or pine straw? At Rollin’s Landscape, we believe in using the most sustainable and longest-lasting solutions for all of your lawn care needs, which includes using pine straw in Augusta over traditional wood mulch for certain circumstances. Allow us to find the most viable fixes for your landscaping today!