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I have a question about using pine needles from our pine trees as mulch for our flower beds. We've been doing for few years, but not sure if doing correctly. We're in Ledyard. We've just been placing piles around plants. Can we apply again now in mid-summer? Or is it best to wait till fall? Thank you! Wendy

Answer

Hi Wendy,
Yes, you can reapply pine needles now. A good 2-3" layer of pine needles helps with keeping weeds down and keeps the soil cool and moist for the roots of your plants. The pine needles also decompose and add organic matter to the soil.

Spring and summer are good times to lay down the pine needles so you get a full season of use from them. Fall is too late. The pines needles put down in the fall would be pretty much decomposed by the time spring rolls around.

Thank you for your question.

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About Linda Lillie

Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.

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