Custom Pine Straw The Official Blog

Pine straw is an excellent landscape mulching material. It is commonly baled and sold in the southeastern U.S., and is the No. 1 mulch used in landscaping. Since pine straw is actually a leaf (needle), it benefits the landscape in much the same way decomposing leaves benefit the forest floor by recycling nutrients and maintaining soil organic matter. Hardwood bark mulch, on the other hand, when used in excess, can cause a buildup of calcium and potassium in the soil, increasing pH and causing an imbalance in soil minerals that can interfere with nutrient uptake. The minerals in pine needles are balanced so their decomposition does not create an imbalance in the soil. Hardwood and pine bark mulch can wash away in a strong rain. Pine straw knits together and holds in place during heavy rain, helping to prevent soil erosion.

Pine straw is very beneficial when used as a mulch cover and can provide supplemental income to forest owners during years that no timber is harvested. These publications discuss the uses of pine straw, the gathering, bailing and selling of pine straw, and the environmental effects of removing straw from forests. Our homes are among the most important financial investments we’ll ever make. While we often spend time and money upgrading appliances, painting the exterior, fixing roofs, and remodeling kitchens and baths, we often end up neglecting our landscapes. The times are forever changing and with housing values at there lowest in many years having a beautiful landscape could make the difference between breaking even and making some money on the sale of your home.

There is a close association between the yard and the home. “People associate a beautiful garden with a warm and inviting home,” says Craig Humphries, Director of Consumer Insights at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. A well-maintained yard also reflects well on the owner’s values. “It gives the impression the inside of the home is as well cared for as the outside,” he says.

Nearly all the homeowners surveyed (94 percent) appreciated the benefits of a well-designed and maintained landscape. The most common benefits cited were that it provides a place of beauty and relaxation for the family, beautifies the neighborhood, reflects positively on the homeowner, and adds real estate value and curb appeal (first impression from passersby) to the home.

What defines a well-designed and maintained landscape? Think of your yard as a room. Furniture and attractive walls define the room, and accents express your personal style. You might personalize the garden with water elements (fountains, waterfalls, and small ponds) and garden art that provide a sense of drama or whimsy. Or, have some fun and put pink flamingoes and plastic alligators on your lawn! This is your yard, landscape to increase the value of your home, start by surrounding your plants with the healthy choice for your gardens with pine straw. It is your place to live and enjoy.

 

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This entry was posted by Pine Straw Mulch on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 3:11 pm and is filed under Pine Straw Bulk. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.