‘Mulch’ Ado About Nothing? The Pine Straw vs. Bark Debate

Back in Pennsylvania, my husband created an award-worthy yard of lush plants, colorful blooms and flowering trees. Here in coastal South Carolina, he’s labored for hours with diminishing returns. 

After researching our new zone (8, by the way) and gathering tips as my neighborhood’s “yard of the month” coordinator, I’ve got a game plan. But we had to decide on one last detail. There’s debate here in the Charleston area as to whether mulch or pine straw is the better bet.

Pine straw is relatively inexpensive. It’s acidic as it breaks down, which makes it a great choice for mulching around plants that thrive in acidity – azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons. Pine straw also stays put during heavy rain.

But there are cons. It turns a washed-out gray as it ages. It’s also what you’ll find in any snake habitat at a zoo. Essentially, you’re creating a comfy cozy home for our no-legged friends. That’s not a problem if you appreciate the snake’s role in nature. My husband does not.

Pine bark nuggets enrich soil with organic material. However, they wash around and away in a heavy rain storm. Chunky wood mulch suppresses weeds and adds organic matter to soil, while also allowing water to filter through.

Shredded hardwood makes the soil more alkaline. Consider using acid fertilizer around plants that might need it. However, it compacts over time – blocking rain and nutrients from reaching the soil.

Thinking about colored mulch? Avoid recycled wood as it could contain arsenic from pressure-treated wood. Although the EPA phased it out, the old lumber is still in circulation. Make sure only raw lumber was used.

With any mulch. Less is more. Using too much can lead to tree trunk rot and just looks weird.

What’s the best mulch? According to a horticulturalist I interviewed a few years back, the answer is plants. Her answer is backed by an article I recently read on houzz.com. Benjamin Vogt, who owns a garden design firm, wrote “Why not let your self-sowing perennials self-sow? Let them spread, get free plants, create a dense garden full of life. Eventually you won’t even need mulch… The taller and thicker plants create a shade barrier to most weeds and help conserve soil moisture.” 

So that’s our plan. I’m ready to dig in. I’ll share before and after pics.