Pine needles?

deeyeff

Active Member
OK, so I've read in a couple places that pine needles on the ground make the ground have too much nitrogen and your plants will die if planted there. Where I will be planting is in a forest of pine trees, I might be able to get to spot where there aren't many needles but probably not.

What should I do? Will it be ok if I just rake the needles away or am I going to have to replace the soil or something? Or should I just grow in buckets?

Thanks in advance
 

Jobo

Well-Known Member
From what i understand, pines tend to make the soil real acidic. A pine forest isnt the best place to grow pot.
 

silentpartner

Active Member
Generally speaking, Conifers are trees that are able to adapt to the worst types of soil. If pine trees are the only type of trees you have in your immediate grow area you are definitely going to have to bring in some soil. Also, tall pine forests tend to only offer at best very filtered light. One of my favorite places is on Christmas tree farms where the young trees provide cover but also allow light. Good Luck
 

Carl Spackler

Well-Known Member
Yep, I think I would select a more productive grow-site. Like Jobo suggeted. Pine needles are commonly used to lower soil pH for acid-loving plants such as Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Camelias etc. When pH gets too low, macro/micro nutrients get "tied up" in the soil and difficult for the plants to take up. The shade canopy would likely be an issue as well. Keep searching for a better site, all should go well.
 
Top