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Uses for Pinecones

By eclayne
October 31, 2011

If you have lots of conifer trees in your yard and have been wondering what to do with all those cones after the crafts projects are done, try using them as a decorative mulch. I use cones from the Eastern White Pines (P. strobus). Lay down felted landscaping fabric and include an 8-12" mow strip of your favorite mulch at the perimeter. New additions every year keep it looking fresh. The only downside I've seen to date is that the squirrels sometimes raid it.

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plantladylin
Oct 30, 2011 6:04 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
I don't have conifers but if I did I would surely use this tip ... not only a great idea for mulch but very nice looking too!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


| @plantladylin | Post #171740 (1)
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flaflwrgrl
Oct 30, 2011 6:16 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
I agree
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #171749 (2)
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valleylynn
Oct 30, 2011 6:34 PM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
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I agree
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Sempervivum ~ Sedum ~ Containers

| @valleylynn | Post #171761 (3)
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vic
Oct 30, 2011 7:19 PM CST
Name: Vicki
North Carolina
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Forum moderator Region: United States of America
Purslane Garden Art Region: North Carolina Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
What a clever idea - we have tons of pine cones.
NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
| @vic | Post #171787 (4)
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skellogg
Oct 30, 2011 7:29 PM CST
Name: Sandi
Wyoming (Zone 3b)
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Hurray! Hurray! I tip my hat to you. Great tip!
| @skellogg | Post #171792 (5)
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StephGTx
Oct 30, 2011 8:20 PM CST
Name: Stephanie Gonzales
Texas (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Permaculture Butterflies Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Texas
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Very clever idea. Now I wish I had some in my yard Hilarious!
I really like the additional texture it lends to the landscape as well Lovey dubby
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
| @StephGTx | Post #171828 (6)
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porkpal
Oct 31, 2011 6:57 AM CST
Name: Porkpal
Richmond, TX (Zone 9a)
Cat Lover Charter ATP Member Keeper of Poultry I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Keeps Horses
Roses Plant Identifier Farmer Raises cows Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
I have been using pine cone mulch under the shrubs around our house to keep the dogs from digging and sleeping there. Works well!
Porkpal
| @porkpal | Post #171950 (7)
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plantladylin
Oct 31, 2011 8:59 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
I miss having lots of pine trees for all that free mulch and I really like the natural look of those cones under the tree.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


| @plantladylin | Post #172005 (8)
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fiwit
Feb 27, 2013 11:42 AM CST
Name: Mary
My little patch of paradise (Zone 7b)
Gardening dilettante, that's me!
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vic said:What a clever idea - we have tons of pine cones.


what she said!
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My yard marches to the beat of a bohemian drummer...
| @fiwit | Post #364982 (9)
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stone
Aug 8, 2013 7:58 AM CST
Name: stone
near Macon Georgia (USA) (Zone 8a)
Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier
Last winter... I used those pine cones inside the house...
My cat killed some of my plants...
And after covering the soil in the pots with pine cones... it became a less-desirable place [for her] to dig.
Please visit my garden!
| @stone | Post #462665 (10)
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RoseBlush1
Mar 31, 2014 10:59 AM CST
Name: Lyn
Weaverville, California (Zone 8a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Level 1
I know this is an old thread, but I just need to add another use ... hope you don't mind.

I heat my home with wood and like to have a "one-match" fire when I need to rebuild the fire because it has gone out. When I am putting together my kindling for the fire, I include a few small pine cones because they burn for long time and the kindling always takes.

Or if I am bringing a night fire back, I throw a few down on the burning coals before I add my small wood to get my day fire going.

@stone ........

This year I am using the small pine cones in my flower beds under the eves of my house to convince my cat that he does not want to do his business there but needs to search out another spot, of which there are plenty, for that kind of business.

Smiles,
Lyn
I'd rather weed than dust ... the weeds stay gone longer.
| @RoseBlush1 | Post #580836 (11)
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porkpal
Mar 31, 2014 11:25 AM CST
Name: Porkpal
Richmond, TX (Zone 9a)
Cat Lover Charter ATP Member Keeper of Poultry I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Keeps Horses
Roses Plant Identifier Farmer Raises cows Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
The pine cone fire-starters work even better if you drizzle them with wax from candle stubs.
Porkpal
| @porkpal | Post #580848 (12)
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RoseBlush1
Mar 31, 2014 11:29 AM CST
Name: Lyn
Weaverville, California (Zone 8a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Level 1
True, if you want to go to the bother. Since I heat for wood, not just a comforting fire, I keep it simple. They work just fine without the extra treatment ... Smiling

Smiles,
Lyn
I'd rather weed than dust ... the weeds stay gone longer.
| @RoseBlush1 | Post #580855 (13)
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