Absolutely. Use a good 3 to 4 inches and pull the mulch back about an inch all around the stems of your plants. This will reduce your weeds by 99 percent. Make a commitment to hand pull the few that do make their way up before they flower and in about 3 years you'll have virtually complete control.

I've used pine needles for mulch on tomatoes and peppers for years. Wonderful transfer of air and water, smothers weeds without matting, does not wash away in a cloudburst, and free. And contrary to some thought, does not acidify the soil. Great stuff!
Kris

Send some my way when you are done!

Dan

Thanks guys!

I looked up on the internet (just for kicks) and I officially live right in the middle of more than 250 square miles of solid pine trees...

They have been burning all the underbrush lately so I don't think they will mind if I rake up some pine needles...

If I can figure some way to bale it up I could export the stuff....