If you’re anything like our Plant Nerds, you’re dreaming of pumpkin spice lattes, your favorite sweater, and…fall landscape maintenance (right?). There are weeds to pull, perennials to prune, and piles of mulch to spread in preparation for the harsh winter months ahead.
Which brings us to pine straw. It may not seem like it—but this powerhouse product is one of the best mulches you can use to protect and nourish your landscape this season.
Here’s what you need to know about the protective ground cover:
- There are two kinds of pine straw mulch: longleaf and slash. You want the longleaf variety as its longer, thicker needles bind together and provide more coverage. Plus, longleaf only needs to be replenished twice a year, making it a better investment.
- It’s environmentally friendly. Pine straw mulch is the perfect example of “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” This material reduces the number of trees cut down for traditional mulch, reuses the pine needles that fall naturally, and is recycled like compost as it biodegrades into the soil.
- The course needles interlock to form a fierce protective layer. Water can flow through the material giving the soil moisture while evaporation and erosion are minimized. The mulch also insulates plants so they stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
As you consider your fall landscaping priorities, put longleaf pine straw mulch at the top of your list. Cumberland Landscape can apply this material to protect your plants, stop erosion, and give your property a punch of color.