I think Pine Straw looks awesome, the Country Club used pine straw under a tree grove 2 years ago and it was beutiful.
I may rake under my spruces to get straw or I can go over to the neighbors and rake some, but I will only use it around acid loving plants.

If you're worried about pH...don't :D

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinestraw

my red taters and onions are loving the pine straw I used on them.

A neighbour up the road raked his up into a nice pile a couple of weeks ago and before I had the chance to ask for it he sent it to the city compost. I felt sick to my stomach!

Yes! Use it and don't worry about the PH.

My neighbor has a couple of long needle pines and last year I raked up all the fallen needles for him and put them in a few of my beds. I think it looks nice, I like the golden color.

Karen

laura: Where did you find it cheap? I've thought about it, but can't find it anywhere close by. I use a lot of mulch and don't want to make multiple trips with my car if it's too far.

Karen

Dh bagged all mine up and threw it away! UGH! I could have buried him that day! In his defense he didn't know I wanted it,so I guess I have to wait for the wind to blow more down for me!

Oh, and slugs don't like 'em either!

Are you talking pine needles here or is there a difference?

Hi, Laura,

Down here in the south, pine needle mulch is very common. Hubby and I use it on our beds- we love it- another benefit is that trees are being planted to support the demand for it as a product-yippee!

To answer your question- it does NOT prevent re-seeders from popping up. I have cosmos volunteers coming up all over the place in my front beds :-)

Jody

Thanks everyone!

That is the best news I've heard all day!

Karen, I found that Bzak Landscaping (in Milford on Round Bottom Rd) has pine straw for $6.50 a bale. And, I've read that pine straw mulch is about 1/4 the price of regular mulch. Gotta love that!