In some areas of the country, the choice between mulching with pine needles and wood mulch is a tough one. Since the 1980s, pine straw has been the favorite mulch in the South. It is inexpensive, ...

In last week’s column, I shared a reader’s enthusiasm for using pine straw in the garden/landscape. Since then, I’ve received several emails questioning why it was not mentioned that, for better or ...

A. Does pine straw make a good mulch to use with tomato plants in a raised bed? — R. Jeffers, Virginia Beach Q. Like any mulch, pine straw has pros and cons. Among the pros: It’s lightweight and ...

To help your perennials survive the winter, our pro gardener explains which of these you should mulch after the first hard ...

Wood mulch and wood chips will mat down to make a firm but spongy surface for your garden paths and around playsets. Pine straw is too slippery to walk on, so skip it when mulching these high-traffic ...

Garden columnist Dan Gill answers readers' questions each week. To send a question, email Gill at [email protected]. I took some elephant ears and banana plants from Thibodaux and planted them at ...

Right under our nose (and probably in your yard) is a great gardening tool that we have historically and culturally shunned. Pine straw. Raked up and often disposed of, this natural/ organic/ ...

Gardening is something I enjoy doing and I spend at least half of each day in my garden. It gets me outside, in the fresh air, and exercising. However, pulling weeds is my least favorite garden chore.

For Thanksgiving, Christmas and other dinners of importance, the Columbia McNultys always had creamed celery. When I asked why that instead of something fancier, I learned that my grandmother thought ...