[ralphyboy]

I heard somewhere that Pine tree needles can help to break down clay soil. I am wondering if anyone can verify this.

[Yorkie]

Can't say I've ever heard of neat needles being applied.  I don't know how long they take to break down in the soil, they will be quite acidic, and will rob the soil of nitrogen in the decomposition process.

Others may have heard of this, though.

[Goldfinger]

So, does that include conifers?

At the bottom of our garden, the neighbour has some conifers growing and we seem to never get anything to grow in our garden near them.

Is it because our soil near the conifers is acidic too??

[Yorkie]

@ Goldfinger, I should think the main reason is the competition from the trees for light, moisture, nutrients rather than acidity (unless the plants are specifically acid-haters).  Conifers are soooo greedy 

[Goldfinger]

Would planting stuff in big pots sunk into the ground help??

Just thinking for next year now 

[Yorkie]

Would have thought that it would help, yes, if you ensure you water and feed them enough.  I'd go for a John Innes-based compost rather than multi-purpose. 

And don't dig too near the conifers in case you damage the roots and thus the trees. 

Is there any reason you can't just leave the pots on the surface?

[Goldfinger]

Was thinking of fully or half sunk, because our chooks may bowl/push them over if they tried to jump up/at them.

[Yorkie]

I guess the likelihood of that depends on the size / weight of the pot, and the size / weight of the chickens 

Won't the chickens just eat the contents of the pots if at groud level?

[Goldfinger]

That was going to be my second question, what wil they NOT eat?? Or is it another summer of wire 'cones' around some of the plants        ??

[SUTTY1]

Chicks eat what i eat. Buy some more wire,lol,

[TheSpartacat]

Pine needles take an aaage to rot down, and can slow down your hole compost pile waiting for it.
I checked about the acidity round the internet and there seems to be a consensus that after they've broken down, ph goes back to neutral... but it takes a v long time.

If you have a pile of needles you're wondering what to do with- they make good path ways, and suppress weeds- as long as you're not a barefoot gardener!!