According to a expert, pine needle mulch is good for garden soil but does nothing to the acidity.
Other gardeners believe that pine needle mulch will make soilinhospitable to some plantsby making the soil too acidic.
They avoid pine needle mulch because they think its harmful to their garden.
Credit:Erica George Dines
We asked an expert to settle the question.
The Myth About Pine Needles
So, does pine needle mulch make soil more acidic?
They can be anywhere from 3 to 4 on the pH scale when they fall, LaCroy says.
For comparison, orange juice and acid rain also have a pH of 3 to 4.
So, those pine needles are indeed acidic when they are fresh, but they dont stay that way.
By the time they decompose into the soil, pine needles are basically neutral, LeCroy says.
Pines grow where the soil is acidic; they dont make the soil acidic by growing there.
Pine needles make excellent mulch.
For established plants, top-dress the soil.
For new plants, add sulfur at the time of planting.
Sulfur willchange the soil pHinstantly as soon as it dissolves into the soil.
Test the Soil Before Adding Amendments
Before youamend your soil, test the pH, LeCroy says.
Dont assume the pH is off and amend the soil blindly.
you could test your soil yourself with an at-home kit or take a sample to your local extension office.
