Pine Straw Mulch added to the Hostas

In their 2005 spring meeting, upon the urging of board member Chub Harper, the Bickelhaupt Arboretum Board of Directors decided to begin replacing mulch in the Heartland Collection of Garden Conifers and the Hosta Glen with pine straw mulch. The project will begin with the Hosta Glen. Pine straw is the term used for fallen pine needles that are gathered beneath the trees in a pine forest or plantation. Pine straw, which comes from the loblolly pines has been in use in the southern United States for years but has not gained popularity in the northern and mid-western states. According to board member Chub Harper, there are many advantages to pine straw mulch. In addition to the standard advantages shared by all mulches, pine straw: is a NATURAL looking mulch just as nature intended, it is of a consistent uniform color and texture. breaks down more slowly than wood mulch so it needs to be re-applied less frequently. does not wash or move on hills and slopes due to heavy rain and does not wash out into the turf areas like bark and chips, etc. remains loose and friable and does not form a top crust like wood mulches. The pine straw allows water to infiltrate readily into the soil for plant availability and avoids wasteful runoff of irrigation or rain. reduces weed control efforts because woody mulches have a higher tendency to import weed seed. Hosta growers for years have recognized that pine straw mulch inhibits and reduces slug damage in hosta growing areas. is easily handled because it is lightweight. It smells great with a very pleasing pine scent. Arboretum workers and volunteers began spreading Pine Straw mulch in the Hosta Glen in July of 2005. The following photographs, taken by Master Gardener Bill Rathje, demonstrate the new appearance as well as some techniques used to lay the pine straw mulch in an established hosta bed.