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Re: mulch

     I think it depends on your location and the types of plants you're 
     using.  Here in California, our soil tends to be on the alkaline side. 
      I had a pine at my old house, and there was a relatively deep layer 
     (four inches) of semi-decomposed pine needle compost over most of the 
     yard.  It was quite wonderful, and I never had trouble growing many 
     different kinds of plants.  It was *not*, however, acidic enough for 
     ericas or Japanese Iris.  They would wither almost immediately.  I'm 
     sure the needles do leach acid, but apparently not at any substantial 
     rate, and probably the level drops quite a bit over time, again 
     depending on the native soil.  At my new house, there is a stand of 
     pines (11) but the needles, for some reason (perhaps the steep slope?) 
     have not made a layer.  However, I've planted all manner of things in 
     the surrounding area - roses, fremontodendron, astilbe, ceanothus, 
     digitalis, quince, ribes, natal plum and so on, that are tolerant of 
     our alkaline soils, and they're having no problem.  If your soil tends 
     to be acidic, however, you may have to add lime, unless you're 
     planting things that like acidic soil, such as heathers, rhodies, etc.
     
     Avril, Sunset Zone 15, USDA 9


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: mulch
Author:  perennials@mallorn.com at Internet
Date:    6/24/97 9:23 AM


Greetings:  I read somewhere that pine needles can be used as mulch;  now 
since our property has many many pine trees and we gather trillions of pine 
needles every year, we have a good supply of same; I'd love to use them as 
mulch, but am afraid their acidity (?) will leach into the soil;
     
what says the list?
     
Isabelle Hayes
     
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