Pine cones as a mulch

[Mother Bear]

I have successfully used the smaller pine cones on flower beds as a mulch. They look nice , especially when 'new' but of course the hens and peacocks do tend to disturb them as they scratch around! Yesterday I put a whole load through the shredder to get a finer result.......the smell was heavenly!!! nothing like the 'pine fragranced' washing up liquid or shower gel.....this was the real macoy and it was lovely. I might even bring some in the house!

[2little2late]

Brilliant idea!!!!!!!!1

[gardeninginagale]

Great idea to shred them. Potpourri for the garden. And you know exactly what you are doing. But may I just add a word of caution to anyone who's now rushing out to gather cones. They must be pine cones, not spruce cones. All cones are acidic, but spruce especially so. Pine cones and needles are fine as mulch, but spruce cones and needles, in quantity, can actually be toxic to other plants.