Dreamscape Landscaping and Irrigation is a high quality full service landscape design and installation company serving Bay County and the surrounding areas of the Florida Panhandle.

 

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Dreamscape Landscaping

Lynn Haven, FL 32444

850-276-5797 (Kim)

850-747-0797 (Greg)

 

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© 2013 Dreamscape Landscaping & Irrigation, LLC.

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Textraw® is synthetic pine straw made from recycled polypropylene, which does not absorb water or chemicals. It recycles easily, from bottle scrap, carpet backing, fiber and yarn.

 

Throughout the South, pine needles are used in flower beds and landscape border areas as ground cover. When pine needles decompose in the garden, they provide virtually no nutrients to the soil; but they provide shade, insulate root systems, they retain moisture in the soil, and are very attractive. Because pine needles decompose quickly, they lose their color and volume over a period of months. Especially in commercial properties, typical maintenance calls for adding straw every three to six months, called "topdressing", to maintain volume and appearance. Over time, the base straw becomes matted and spongy. Rather than transmit rainfall to the soil and plant roots, this layer of material absorbs and traps moisture. The roots of the plants, seeking the moisture, stay near the soil surface. This moist, decomposed straw can act like a second soil layer, and the plant roots may grow up into it. For this reason, in addition to the top-dressing, old straw should be raked out annually and replaced.

 

Textraw® answers many of the problems with pine straw!

 

COMPARISON - Textstraw vs. Pine Straw

FEATURE
TEXTRAW
PINE STRAW
Availability
Dependable year-round production
Seasonal; spotty
Color
Consistent longleaf pine reddish-brown "spring" needles, the most prized
Inconsistent; depends on season, species, freshness, weather
Needle Quality
Consistent mixture of 9-10" strand lengths to simulate highly-desired old, original longleaf pine needles
Highly variable by species on pine; mostly loblolly and slash, with 6-10" needles
Color Retention
UV-stabilized; tested; warranted to retain color for 4 years
Decomposes immediately; turns brown; bleached gray in 6-12 months
Volume Loss
None; does not decompose
100% loss; most in first six months
Installation
Clean, easy, quick
Gloves recommended
Maintenance
Turns, fluffs easily; extends life
Crumbles when turned or fluffed; top-dress every 4-6 months
Moisture Retention
Passes moisture to soil and helps prevent evaporation; patented concave needle profile funnels all moisture to soil
Needles absorb and trap moisture
Abrasion and Crumble Resistance
Highly resistant to foot traffic and handling
Becomes increasingly brittle with age
Soil Nutrition
Over years, breaks down into harmless carbon, hydrogen, calcium carbonate and iron oxide
Increases acidity
Breathability
Maintains breathability; helps oxygenate soil and deter mold and fungus growth
Mats, thatches and becomes spongy; decomposes and acts like second soil layer, causing roots to grow "up"
Contaminants
None, always clean, pure , sterile bales
Even when hand-combed, contains weeds, grass seed, mold spores, pine pollen, insects, fungus, mildew, sticks, twigs, leaves and pine cones
Insects
Does not attract insects
Damp environment attracts insects, especially ants, roaches and termites
Bed Preparation & Weeds
Rake out old straw once; pre-emerge once; less weeds
Rake out old straw annually; pre-emerge annually; more weeds
Flammability
Requires sustained exposure to flame to burn; will melt
Highly flammable when dry
Chemical Resistance
Not affected by herbicides or pesticides
Absorbs chemicals
Rain & Water Resistance
Will not absorb water; lighter than water and will float; not recommended for low-lying areas subject to flooding or run-off
Will wash-away if used in areas subject to flooding or run-off
Environment & Harvesting
Post-industrial recycled product; clean product can be recycled at end of useful life
Unregulated; mechanized raking increases tree mortality; over-harvesting negatively affects forest growth and soil productivity, causes erosion and loss of wildlife habitat
Warranty
Yes
No

 

HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU WASTE ON PINE STRAW IN JUST FIVE YEARS?

 

BAILS
TIMES PER YEAR
TEXTRAW
PINE STRAW

25

3

$1,600

$440

50

3

$3,200

$870

100

3

$6,400

$1,800

 

Contact us now to see how Textraw can become part of your “low maintenance” landscaping.