It depends on the size. It would have to be in the finer side to throw in the lawn.

Thanks for answering. :)

Yes, it is fine - so the high pH of the fines won't hurt the grass? Apparently we have Kentucky blue grass here which needs a pH between 6-7...so I'm assuming it shouldn't be used on the grass. Darn.

Carol

I think the reason pine bark is not desirable is b/c it is messy. Blows away easily if windy and floats away if too wet. I'd use it in garden beds and be watchful of rain and wind. By next year it will be mostly decomposed and you can apply shredded pine or other hardwood mulch on top.

is your soil acidic? If yes, you probably don't want to increase acidity. But if your soil is not acid, it would take tons and tons of pine material to make it acid so what you have wouldn't make any difference.

PS: if you watch wind and rain, I don't see why you couldn't use what you bought on your potted roses.

That I couldn't tell u rose.

I don't want to put in on my potted roses, because the soil is too acidic...and the pine mulch would make it worse.

So bossyvossy - you're suggesting that I leave it in the gigantic bag it's in (1 cu yards), and see if it decomposes by next spring/summer. Then use it on the perennials?

Carol

No, spread now. If left over and you don't have to return giant bag, just save it for next year.

it is correct to assume you have had your soil ph evaluated/tested that you know that it's for sure too acidic?

The soil in my containers has all the symptoms of acidity. I'm working with an expert now...we just started having a conversation about this.

There is just way too much fines to use it all...but I could give some to a friend. :)

Thank you!!

Carol

Use on any planting beds as a mulch - it is too coarse and too durable (takes a long time to breakdown) to be used on a lawn. And it will not make the beds any more acidic than they are now.....that is a very persistent gardening myth that has NO basis in reality!

As I stated in your previous post, container soils are pH adjusted to be neutral or very nearly so. Unless you did something specific to increase the acidity, you may just be assuming something that is not true. And watch out about "experts" that are just guessing about soil conditions and the effect they might have on plants - just because they grow a lot of the plants you are interested in - in this case, roses - that does not guarantee that they know anything about soils. Most folks don't and with container soils, they know even less :-))

First I read pine bark, then I read "fines". Can't be both. OP needs to clarify in order to get best help possible.

Sorry - it's fines.

Well, the soil I used isn't potting soil...it's from The Big Yellow Bag...and it's garden soil.

Carol

Why would you use garden soil in a container? Containers require a specially formulated container or potting soil that does not contain any dirt (garden soil) nor really any other easily decomposable organic matter but a very stabilized combination of ingredients that provide for good aeration and fast drainage. Container gardening or growing in pots is not at all the same as growing plants in the ground and the methods and growing requirements are very different. Products like peat or coir are common but tend to be excessively moisture retentive so most experienced growers - and it matters not a whit as to the kind of plant - opt for a bark-based mix with the addition of some drainage enhancers like perlite or pumice or calcined clay. Peat or coir in small amounts may be added to increase water retention but you need to be cautious about overdoing.

Thanks.