Arborvitae needles for my garden?

Richland, WA(Zone 7b)

I have a privacy hedge of 9 Skyrocket Arborvitaes that I planted about 6 years ago. They are growing great, but I just noticed that the interiors are filled with brown needles. Yesterday I went through and cleaned them out- I got 3 big trash bags full! No insects or disease- I think I just planted them too close, and this year with our water restrictions they were not watered enough. I poked holes in the soil and gave them a good soaking and hosing down. My question is this--can I use the bags of needles to amend my garden soil? I grow a lot of veggies, herbs & flowers, and am always looking for good additions. It seems that they would be good to add bulk and drainage to my many raised beds. Any advice is welcomed.

Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

I think that those old needles would work very well as soil amendment.

Richland, WA(Zone 7b)

Thanks, VV- that was my thought too, but it is something I have never done before. Our soil here is very alkaline, so I hope something from evergreens would be beneficial.

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