Pine Straw vs Mulch: Which Is Better for Your Yard

Did you know that pine straw and the many different types of mulch are considered ground cover? If you have trees, shrubs, a garden, or thin patches on your property, a ground cover can help protect your exposed soil. Ground cover can improve the health of your plants, help control erosion, and even insulate your soil from extreme temperatures. Additionally, it improves the appearance of your property, boosting your home’s curb appeal.

You have quite a few options of naturally growing ground cover in addition to pine straw and mulch. Not sure which ground cover is right for you? To make your choice, it helps to understand the difference between pine straw vs. mulch.

Pine Straw vs. Mulch: Key Differences

Pine straw, as you may guess from the name, is simply natural pine needles. These needles are collected once they fall from a pine tree and washed before being sold as a ground cover. Mulch, on the other hand, can be made from a variety of different organic and inorganic materials.

Popular organic mulches include cedar bark, pine bark, grass clippings, shredded leaves, shredded paper, and shredded cardboard. (In fact, pine straw is a form of organic mulch.) The list of inorganic mulch is long but includes things like crushed granite, river rock, pea gravel, lava rock, rubber mulch, and plastic mulch. Each kind serves a different purpose. Knowing the differences between mulch vs. pine straw can help you make the right ground cover decision for your property.

Appearance

Pine straw has a needle-like appearance and a reddish-brown color. When used as a ground cover, it can give your landscape a rustic, uniform appearance. It can work especially well if you already have pine trees on your property.

Mulch, on the other hand, offers a far greater variety when it comes to color and texture. Organic mulches like cedar bark provide a rich, natural appearance with colors ranging from warm reddish-brown to deep chocolate. Pine bark mulch offers options from fine shreds to larger nuggets, creating different visual textures in your garden beds. Hardwood mulches tend to weather to an attractive silver-gray over time.

With inorganic mulches, you can make bold visual statements to support modern landscape designs. River rock, to name just one example, comes in an array of sizes and natural colors, from pure white to charcoal-colored granite. For even more vibrant options, rubber mulch won’t disappoint. You can choose from bright reds, blues, and yellows as well as more natural earth tones.

Maintenance

If you don’t have a lot of time to manage your ground cover, pine straw is lighter and easier to put down and spread compared to most other types of mulch. It also interlocks, which can help it survive heavy storms that might wash or blow away your mulch.

When we look at the wider world of mulch, you’ll face varying levels of maintenance. Many organic mulches need annual top-ups as they decompose, typically in spring after the snow melds. While bark mulches tend to stay in place well, lighter materials like leaf mulch may need regular raking to maintain an even surface.

Inorganic mulches may require more upfront work to put down and spread, but they are generally lower maintenance in the long term. Still, you’ll need to occasionally rake and redistribute stone mulches. Rubber mulches tend to require the least amount of maintenance but may need to be cleaned every once in a while.

Longevity

The lifespan of your ground cover varies significantly depending on your choice of material. Pine straw typically lasts six to eight months before fading, though it generally breaks down more slowly than many organic mulches.

Other organic mulches decompose at different rates. Premium bark can last up to two years, while hardwood mulches generally need to be replenished every year. Leaf mulch decomposes more rapidly, especially in humid climates. You may need to replace it up to twice a year.

When it comes to longevity, inorganic mulches really shine in this category. Stone mulches can last nearly forever with just occasional maintenance. Most rubber mulch is good for up to 10 years, though it can fade over time.

Environmental Impact

Pine straw can be a great mulch option if you are looking to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly landscape. It’s a renewable resource, sustainably harvested, biodegrades naturally, and adds beneficial nutrients to the soil.

Many other organic mulches are also environmentally friendly choices. Wood mulches, particularly those made from reclaimed or locally sourced materials, help reduce waste and return nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Bark mulch and leaf mulch support healthy soil ecosystems and biodegrade naturally.

Inorganic mulches have a more complex environmental footprint. While stone mulches are natural and permanent, they don’t support or improve the soil. Rubber mulches are often marketed as eco-friendly because much of it is made from old tires, but it can gradually break down and release chemicals into the soil. Rubber also does biodegrade at the end of its life cycle.

Cost of Pine Straw vs. Mulch: Is Pine Straw Cheaper Than Mulch?

The cost of ground cover varies significantly depending on the material you use. Pine straw falls into the mid-range of the price category at around $40.00 per cubic yard.

If you’re looking for economy options, set your sights on basic wood mulches, with wood chips costing around $24 per cubic yard. Similarly affordable options include triple-shredded mulch and pine bark, both prices at $26 per cubic yard. Premium organic mulches command higher prices. You’ll pay around $100 per cubic yard for cedar mulch and $100 per cubic yard of cypress mulch.

Like organic mulches, inorganic mulches also range significantly in price. A basic option like crushed limestone will run you between $35 and $53 per cubic yard. Mid-range choices include river rock at $47 to $70 per cubic yard and pea gravel at $29 to $86. Premium stone mulches like black lava rock will set you back $96 - $140 per cubic yard while you’ll pay $100 - $150 per yard of quartz gravel.

While it might be easy to try and compare mulches just on their upfront price tag, keep their longevity in mind.

Benefits of Pine Straw

Pine straw has a lot going for it as a ground cover. First, its lightweight nature means it’s easy to apply. This can be a big benefit if you have a lot of land you need to cover. It naturally interlocks, helping it to stay in place. If you have steep slopes on your property or see a lot of heavy rainstorms, pine straw could be the right choice for you.

It also helps insulate your soil, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. All of these characteristics can help improve the health of your trees, shrubs, or gardens. Last of all, pine straw is acidic, making it a good option if you have plants on your property that do well in acidic soil.

Benefits of Mulch

Mulch is an incredibly effective ground cover. Like pine straw, it does a great job of insulating soil, retaining moisture, and suppressing weeds. One of the biggest benefits of mulch is its variety. With pine straw, you’ll only get one look. Mulch comes in so many forms that you can create a one-of-a-kind landscape that matches your personal style or the overall aesthetic of your home or property.

Which Should You Choose: Pine Straw or Mulch?

When it comes to mulch vs. pine straw, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, the right choice for you will depend on a number of factors. If you want a natural, rustic look for your property, pine straw could be a good choice. If you prefer color and texture, choose a gravel, rubber, or wood chip mulch.

Think about the plants on your property. Do they love acidic soil? Then it’s pine straw over mulch. If your plants are sensitive to acidic soil or if your soil is already too acidic, try mulch instead.

What is the terrain of your property? If you’ve got slopes that are vulnerable to heavy rain, pine straw will likely stay in place over mulch. Pine straw may also be a better choice if you’re on a budget, though you might be able to find certain mulch options at a lower price point.

Improve Your Yard with the Right Ground Cover

Pine straw or mulch? The right answer depends on your circumstances. If you still aren’t sure what the right choice is for you, contact us at The Grounds Guys®. Our local team can assess your property and give you a personalized recommendation based on your soil, climate, vision, and budget.

We can also put together an entire ground cover plan for your property. That includes choosing the right ground cover for you, prepping your land, putting down the ground cover, and then performing ongoing maintenance.

We are proud to offer residential and commercial landscaping throughout the United States. Request a free estimate today.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. The Grounds Guys are not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact The Grounds Guys location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.