Ever visit an area and wish you had the scoop on parks in the area?  I have.  Especially state parks.  I have been to some wonderful ones and some 'just ok' ones.  One of the best I've ever been to is South Mountain State Park in western North Carolina.  It was so beautiful  There are tons of hiking trails that meander all through the mountains and along the waterways.  One spot that was particularly wonderful was Shoal Falls with a pretty 13 story (if I remember that correctly) waterfall.  I will add the photo  Anyone else ever been there?  It has to be one of the most scenic and peaceful places I've ever been!

After you spend so much time raking up pine needles in your yard, have you ever wondered about finding an alternative use for them instead of putting them in the trash?  Well, here's your answer.  You can use them as mulch for your flower beds.  The commercial term pine straw mulch is just pine needles that have been bundled together.  Needles make an excellent mulch for many reasons. 

• they are well aerated
• they do NOT attract termites like ordinary bark mulch can do
• the color doesn't fade
• slower decomposition than bark mulch
• doesn't float away in heavy rains

and more.  There are plenty of websites out there that talk in detail about this practice so if you seem to always have a pile of needles laying about, check it out!  Its a great way to save some money, re-purpose yard waste, and protect your flowerbeds.  Three birds with one stone. 

Anyone have any experience with using pine needles as mulch?  What do you think?

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