Q What can we do with pine cones and needles?
A MATT SAYS You could compost them. Although pine needles have a pH of 3-4, they become slightly acidic to neutral after composting. They are slow to rot and the pH suppresses microbial activity in the compost, but they’re good for opening up the heap. If adding fresh, chop them up before mixing them in. Limit them to 10 percent of the heap or stack separately to rot after about three years. Keep the heap moist. If growing plants that like acidic soil, use them as a mulch. The needles can be left to rot down naturally or raked from the border after 12 months, then added to the compost heap once the rotting process has started.