Needles, i.e. fallen needles of coniferous trees such as spruce, pine or fircreates a natural mulch in the forest, which on the one hand protects the soil and on the other hand retains moisture. It also improves the structure of the substrate.
It is worth using the abilities of pine needles in the garden and at home. Even more so if we have easy access to it, because it falls down. What exactly should you use the needles for?
Needles from a Christmas tree have numerous applications. You can use them to make, for example, an air freshener or cleaning liquid. However, they are perfect primarily as an addition to compost and for mulching the soil. When it comes to compost, it is worth placing needles in layers together with other organic waste. They will acidify and enrich the compost, ideal especially for acid-loving plants.
The needles can also be used to mulch the soil. It is worth knowing that it lowers the pH of the soil, inhibits the growth of weeds and acts as a thermal insulator. It protects the root system of plants against frost in winter, and helps maintain lower temperatures and higher humidity in summer.
Mulch with however, it is not suitable for all plants. It is best to use it for mulching acid-loving plants, which include, among others, rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, daylilies, heathers and heaths.
It is worth preparing a decoction from fallen pine or spruce needles, which has a bactericidal effect, helps protect against diseases, and gently acidifies the soil. This decoction is a source of valuable microelements, thanks to which plants bloom more intensively and can regenerate faster after winter or after transplanting.
A decoction of pine needles can be used, for example, for azaleas. This applies not only to plants grown in the garden, but also to potted azaleas. Preparing such a decoction is not difficult.
Just rinse two handfuls of pine needles under running water, put them in a pot and pour 2 liters of standing water over them. Bring everything to a boil and simmer over low heat for 20-30 minutes, then set aside to cool. When it is cold, simply strain the broth.
Pine needles are a natural mulch that can be widely used in the garden. You can also use it to prepare bath salts or scented bags for your wardrobe.
However, if we do not need the needles and do not intend to use them in the garden or at home, it is worth throwing them into an appropriate waste container. In this case, it should be a BIO waste container or a green waste container.
