Pine needles have been shown to control black spot in roses. The needles decompose quickly, and make the soil acidic. Pine needles are therefore good for acid loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Roses, Azaleas, Hydrangeas, etc.
Materials such as wood chips, straw, or dry grass clippings make good mulches. More decorative materials such as shredded hardwood bark or cocoa bean hulls could also be used. Mulches should be applied about 2-3 inches deep and replaced as needed.
Pansies, zinnias, snapdragons, dahlias and marigolds respond well when mulched with pine needles, especially since pine straw is light enough for young annual plants or bulbs to push through as they grow toward the sun.
Ponderosa pine needles are carbon rich, probably having a carbon: nitrogen ratio of about 110:1 and they make great compost.
The best compost to use is a loam-based John Innes No 3 to which 10 to 20 percent multi-purpose compost or very well-rotted manure may be added for richness. Position the container before filling with compost as it may be too heavy to move once planted up.
Well-rotted manure or garden compost dug in before planting will help stimulate strong root growth. We do not recommend the use of mushroom compost. When planting in the autumn, plant with Bone Meal and mulch with manure and compost around the top. Please remember not to work soil that is very wet.
Pine needles decompose very slowly so that they don't need replacing as often as other mulches. Over time needles will breakdown and enrich garden soil. They moderate soil temperature in summer and prevent winter soils from freezing and heaving roots from the ground.
What is this? That being said, it's clear that the acid nature of pine needles should have little effect on the resulting acidity of compost. Even if you use green or freshly fallen pine needles, they lose their acidity and become fairly neutral after approximately three weeks.
Pine needles can be composted, but their decomposition will be slow. Needles and cones will decompose faster if they are broken into pieces to increase the surface area. You can do that by running over them with a lawn mower, chipping/shredding or breaking them up with the back of a rake.
To some extent, this is a valuable practice. Pine and fir needles should be raked off hard surfaces such as pavement, decks, rooftops, gutters, and gravel-covered surfaces, and removed from the soil within 30 feet of all structures. Fallen branches and pine cones should be picked up throughout the property.
2. Pine needle mulch for strawberry plants. Pine needle mulch, also called pine straw, can be used as mulch for strawberries. As with grain straw, a 1″-2″ thick layer of pine needles makes an excellent mulch for the berry patch.
Pine needles, wood chips or bark mulch work well as mulches for blueberries. Avoid using dyed mulches (black or red). Avoid using synthetic mulches like black plastic or landscape fabric.
We recommend using Carr's Organic Soil Improver as your mulch material. Alternatively, you can use a good quality garden compost, composted straw or bark, or well rotted manure from a local farm (manure must be at least 2 years old, as fresh manure can burn the roots of your roses).
Well-rotted farmyard or horse manure are excellent, but do make sure that it is at least three to four years old, as fresh manure can burn the roots of plants. Before applying your chosen mulch, make sure the ground is clear of diseased and old leaves and that you have fed and watered your roses.
Another reason why gardeners avoid pine needles in compost is that they break down very slowly. Pine needles have a waxy coating that makes it difficult for the bacteria and fungi to break it down. The low pH of pine needles inhibits the microorganisms in compost and slows down the process even more.
Pine Needle Uses
The needles make excellent fire starters, flavoring for teas and vinegars, grill smoke to season meats, air fresheners, and, of course, mulch. They have many medicinal properties as well. Collecting pine needles and processing them correctly can help you harness any of these natural properties.
Coniferous needles contain nitrogen and substances called terpenes which are highly toxic when burned, making the smoke in your fire pit unsafe for you and others around your fire pit to breathe.
Some species of coniferous trees—relatives of pines—are also poisonous, so avoid needles from the yew tree (Taxus spp.), Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), hemlock tree (genus Tsuga), and cypress tree (genus Cupressus).
Pine straw is lighter than mulch, making it easier to spread and less likely to damage plant roots. Mulch breaks down over time, adding nutrients to the soil as it does so. Pine straw does not break down in this way. Pine straw also has a higher acidity level than mulch, which can benefit certain plants.
What is the Best Fertiliser For Roses? Roses thrive off a constant supply of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. A high-quality organic fish fertiliser (such as Charlie Carp) in either a liquid or pellet form is perfect to provide these nutrients to the plant.
They are a fast-acting source for magnesium and sulfur. For soils on the alkaline side, the added sulfur is a benefit. Epsom salts, however, do not contain any of the three major components of most fertilizers—nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium—and therefore would not be a complete fertilizer for roses.