I Always Put Pine Straw Around My Tomatoes. However, I…
Clay Asked
I always put pine straw around my tomatoes. However, I have a huge garden this year, and I need to know if I can put the pine straw around all the rest of my vegetables? I know pine straw is an acidic mulch so it’s best with acid-loving plants. Do you have a list of these vegetable plants?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Clay: Pine straw is a fine choice to use around the rest of your vegetable plants. Most edible plants prefer a neutral to slightly acidic soil. This is true for the most commonly grown vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, and sweet corn. Of course, there are exceptions like Brussels sprouts that prefer a more alkaline soil, but for the most part you should not hesitate to use pine straw. The main purpose of using any mulch is to keep the weeds down and the moisture in. It is also helpful in preventing soil-borne diseases from splashing up onto the plant material. Be careful not to apply too much mulch; a 2-inch layer is all you need to be effective. Any thicker and we are creating a nice environment for insects and disease to live. The reality of using pine straw as a mulch is that even after years and years of breakdown it only slightly changes the pH of the soil. You can always have your soil tested through your County Cooperative Extension Service to know exactly what you are dealing with in terms of pH and nutrients. More important than the mulch you choose are the nutrients you add back to the soil every year. Vegetable gardens will benefit greatly from composted manure. If you are interested in having your soil tested you can visit the Pender County Web site at: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=home
or contact them at (910) 259-1235. They will also be able to supply you with literature on growing vegetables in North Carolina.
