11/07/2025
Mulching should be part of garden maintenance at least twice a year, Pine straw is an excellent choice among mulch products currently available on the market.
Mulching is one of the most important tasks for a successful landscape because ornamental plants benefit greatly from it.
Pine straw creates an environment in which plants grow uniformly. It greatly reduces weeding and watering time and cleaning up after heavy rainfalls. It also releases nutrients and organic matter into the soil as it decomposes and improves soil texture.
Use an initial 3-inch layer for shrubs and trees. Use slightly less on bedding plants, roses and herbaceous perennials. One-half pound per square foot will give this desired depth.
Most bales sold in Louisiana weigh 25-50 pounds and contain 3-6 cubic feet of mulch. A 25-pound, 3-cubic-foot bale will cover 50 square feet 3 inches deep. Annual or semi-annual reapplication of pine straw mulch can be done to a depth of 1-2 inches. When reapplying, one bale of pine straw should go three times as far.
Most independent retail garden centers in Louisiana and surrounding states have pine straw available for sale year round.
