Pine Straw In Rural Southern Illinois

cmarlow2012

My husband and I live in a 4 acre pinewoods (mature 50-60 foot trees) and had someone who previously bought our pine straw. We'd 'harvest' it into piles with our vac, and they'd take it from there - trucked out under a tarp and not baled.

Since, we've lost our buyer to illness and find all the local gardening outlets and landscapers disinterested in pinestraw (bark mulch being more common in this area..though why I'll never know - pine staw is superior mulch in so many ways..).

We're retired and older and are uncertain as to whether to buy baling equipment (since there's apparently no local market that we've been able to find, and since we'd likely have to hire someone to handle that process as well)...

Anyone have any ideas as to how we can continue to make our pine straw carpet disappear every spring and fall...and perhaps get back a little of our lost income from it??




Edit: Moved to Landscaping.

Teetorbilt

I'm far from being a farmer but could you have it baled by someone after their crops are in? The equipment must sit idle for most of the year.

You also might try selling it on the web but you will have to stress it's virtues over bark. I know the difference but you will have to convince many others.

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i_plant_art

do a search on the internet there are some larger companies in the carolinas and florida, georgia area that "manage" pine forest. basically they pay you for your needle. theyll send in folks 2-3 times a year and " clean things up " for ya and leave you with a check. if you need some hepll let me know i used to know the names when i did alot of straw but its been about a yr since then, but i can find out if u cant find anything. in fact here in one here..... if they wont come to you then check with them they might know of someone in your area.

http://www.strawman.net/landowners.html

Glasshousebltr

Hows pine straw work out for grass seeding?

Just a thought to target some new construction landscapers.

Where are ya located in Illinois Cmar?

Bob

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Bob

Always Greener

Start calling landscape companies in your area to find out if they use straw blowers for seeding. We use them..

http://www.wolbertandmaster.com/Equi...owers_B40.html

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Always Greener

Or start a new business..

https://www.thepinestrawstore.com/index.htm

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