PINESTRAW
Pine Straw (paja de Pino lo que significa)
As the name implies, pine straw comes from
pine trees, which shed their needles throughout the year. Once the needles drop
to the ground, they are hand-raked, cleaned and baled without the need to cut
down or harm the trees. This makes pine straw a very environmentally friendly
choice for a landscaping and mulching material.
When applied correctly, pine straw prevents
evaporation of water from the soil, reduces the growth of weeds, and helps to
prevent soil compaction and erosion. Pine straw also protects plants from
freezing conditions, helping keep the soil around the plants at a stable
temperature. This is important for newer plants and those with shallow root
systems. Plus, pine straw will improve the soil structure as it decays.
Types of pine
straw can vary by region, and coverage will depend on the type, bale size, and
application depth.
How to Use Pine Straw
The rich, auburn
color of pine straw brings vibrancy and life to your garden, creating a
landscape that's sure to be eye-catching. But the benefits are more than simply
visual. Pine straw also has a practical use as a natural garden mulch.
How to Apply Pine Straw
Most professionals recommend an annual
application of pine straw. However, if you're only using it for decorative
purposes, you can apply it about twice a year to keep the landscape looking
fresh.
You may want to wear a pair of gloves when
applying pine straw. The needles can be very prickly and harder to manage with
your bare hands. Application is quite simple. Remove the bale ties and simply
take handfuls of the straw, shaking it over the application area. In general,
plan to apply to a depth of about 3 inches, adding approximately an inch
annually to maintain a good depth.
Decorative
The main goal is to prevent weed growth and
enhance the beauty of your yard with ground cover. Your application of pine
straw needs to be at least 3 inches thick. You may find recommendations for
application up to 6 inches thick, but that is usually not necessary, especially
in shady locations such as areas beneath trees. This decorative approach is a
nice technique to use for lining walkways and seating areas that aren't paved,
such as the areas around benches
Gardens, Trees and Shrubs
It's a good idea to extend the pine straw to
the drip line of your plants. Keep the straw about 2 to 3 inches away from
plant bases and the trunks of trees and shrubs. Pine straw applied in this way
around trees will discourage rodents from feasting on the bark.
As pine needles break down, they slightly
acidify the soil, making them an excellent landscaping mulch for acid-loving
plants, trees and shrubs such as camellias, azaleas, hydrangeas, fuchsias,
gardenias, ferns, dogwoods, magnolias, holly and evergreens.
Tips
-Put down pine straw any time of year to give
an area a fresh, neat appearance.
-Prior to spreading straw, be sure to clean
and weed the area, apply a weed preventer and complete pruning and trimming of
existing trees and shrubs.
-Spread the straw to a thickness of about 3
inches. The straw will settle a short time after application.
-Spread the straw approximately a foot beyond
the bed edge.
-Roll the edges of the straw by either raking
or using a leaf blower. This gives the finished project a professional touch.
Benefits of Pine Straw
1.
Erosion Control–
Pine Straw doesn’t float away during heavy rains, and
provides stability to the soil of a landscape bed.
2.
Soil Health–
Pine Straw decomposes relatively quickly, providing nitrogen richnutrients to
plant life.
3.
Weed Suppression –
The stringy characteristics of Pine Straw act as a great weed barrier when
applied at a good depth.
4.
Visually Appealing –
The essence of a natural landscape look, with a rich golden hue
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