How to use spruce or pine cones in the garden: 5 unexpected positive effects from their use

26.02.2023 15:39
Updated: 14.04.2023 08:18

Lucky is the summer resident who has fir or pine trees growing near his plot.

In this case, the gardener can easily collect a large amount of useful and absolutely free material.

We are talking about cones that can be used as mulch.

If you create a layer of modified shoots of coniferous trees on the soil cover, you can get several positive effects at once.

Benefits of Using Pine Cones as Mulch

Thanks to such mulching material, the gardener can count on the following results:

a pine tree
Photo: © Belnovosti
  • it is unlikely that weeds will appear on the site;
  • the soil will acquire protection from adverse weather conditions;
  • there will be no abundance or lack of moisture;
  • a crust will not appear on the soil surface;
  • pets will not be eager to “walk” around the beds.

It is worth noting that oxygen will freely enter the soil. The fact is that the cones do not impede air circulation.

Disadvantages of such mulching material

But it is worth talking about the disadvantages. A summer resident who has created a layer of cones on the soil cover must be prepared for the appearance of a large number of gastropods (snails, slugs) near the plants.

In addition, the use of conifer shoots can increase the acidity of the soil. Thus, such mulch is unlikely to be suitable for crops that do not "react" well to acidic soil.

Author: Kurchev Anton Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Content
  1. Benefits of Using Pine Cones as Mulch
  2. Disadvantages of such mulching material