Can I use pine needles for a filler in large planter boxes?

I am making planter boxes that go all around our mobile home for keeping the warmth in in the winter and flowers the rest of the year. Would it be all right to put pine needles (we have an abundance of them)in the bottom part of the boxes. Our boxes will probably be about 2 feet tall so if we put soil or planter mix in the whole thing it would definately "break the bank". If we could put pine needles about one foot up, it sure would be cheaper. Should I put a plastic bag between the pine needles and the soil. Should I put rocks in the bottom of the planter boxes for drainage. Someone please HELP! I don't want to do all this and the plants die. Thanks, Carole

Can I use pine needles for a filler in large planter boxes?
no dont use pine needles what you are wanting to do is take up volume in the planter just take plastic soda bottles and put them in there it will also help to keep the roots from freezing and if you stand a few up and poke small holes in the bottom you can fill them with water and put the cap back on this will let the water out slowly and provide more water wen the heat of the day gets hotterit will force more water out of the bottle
Reply:I wouldn't get too many going on..I live in Florida northwest region, and I keep a vegetable garden year round..the only time i use pine needles are on the very top layer of the soil to retain moisture in and keeps weeds froom growing..If you mix them as A soil supplement what can happen is most of your plants will not be happy at all..pine needles are very acidic when composted in the soil in abundance like that..any plants that you have that don't like acidic soil will die or not do too well...





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Reply:yes, they would make for really good drainage
Reply:pine needles will break down quickly and your plants will be growing below the top of your planter boxes before you know it.





they tend to be acidic as well and you would have to be cautious about what you plant in boxes.





i would suggest put a layer of rock on the bottom. just collect them from here and there, then dig soil from the surrounding area and put it in the boxes up to about a foot, then a layer of good top soil/potting soil.





this shouldn't cost anymore that it would if you were to use the pine needles in the bottom. use the pine as mulch to cover the top of the boxes and give them a finished look.





hope this helps.
Reply:I agree with Belize Missionary, the needles will add quite a lot of acidity to the soil. Depending on what you are planting, this can be good or bad. Since you have an abundance and don't want to spend the money on wood chips, I would suggest planting daylilies. They LOVE the acidity from pine needles and we use the mulch from Christmas trees every year to mulch the ones here in Topeka. Also, daylilies are insanely hardy and will grow and prosper in nearly any situation. They are relatively inexpensive and in a few years you can split them and have even more plants. Good luck!
Reply:That should work just fine. As long as the plants have at least a foot or so of soil to work with near the top. You might have to re-do it each year, as the pine needles will take up less space as they decompose. I would probably not do the plastic - for drainage, and not having to fuss with it when I re-pot.





If the planter has holes in the bottom - I would not put rocks in - aren't you trying to keep them light?
Reply:yes of course but they decompose quickly


i would do pine needles some soil and then pine needles and soil. this will take longer to decompose.


also will help with drainage as well.