Mulch or Pine Straw?

It is nearing that time of year when you’ll be choosing a fresh groundcover to accent your flower beds and cover other strategic areas around your landscape. For the average homeowner, this begs the question, “mulch or pine straw?” Mulch (which can come in a variety of types) and pine straw are the two most common categories for ground cover. Determining which material is best for you is based on many factors, including your budget, personal taste and type of plants or flowers you have in your landscape.

To help you make the decision, here are some quick PROS and CONS about mulch and pine straw:

Pine Straw Pros

• Less expensive than mulch in the short term
• Easier to spread and/or rearrange
• Great around acid-loving plants, such as azalea bushes
• Naturally blends better with surrounding landscape

Pine Straw Cons:

• Needs reapplication (freshening) more frequently
• Acidic, which can be too much for your soil
• May need more upkeep, blows away more easily

Mulch Pros

• More sufficient moisture barrier and insulator for plants
• Add additional nutrients to soil
• Stays in place for a longer amount of time
• Adds color and definition for a more manicured landscape appearance

Mulch Cons

• High upfront cost
• More difficult to spread
• Requires more per square footage than pine straw

Still not sure which type of ground cover material is best for your lawn? Call the professionals of Pannone’s Landscaping and Lawn Pros. We bring years of experience in mulch delivery, installation and maintenance.

Your ground cover choice may be more than just a personal preference, it is important to keep the needs of your plants and flowers in mind as well. Let a lawn professional guide you – it could save your wallet from buying too much mulch as well as save your back from the hours of spreading it by yourself!