If you prune too early you will initiate new growth which can easily be damaged by a late freeze. Be patient and when you prune, prune correctly. The UGA County Extension service has great information on pruning which tells the why, when and how of pruning. By becoming familiar with this information you should have no problem successfully pruning your landscape. You can access all their publications on the web by following this link: www.caes.uga.edu/publications/
As far as mulching, you should replenish your pine straw after you do your spring pruning. Your fall mulch layer should be adequate until then (if your layer is thin at this time you need to increase the depth of your fall mulch application) and you can also cover up any small pruning debris left over from the pruning operation. Leave the crowns of the plants clear of mulch so they can breathe. Burying the crowns and lower trunks with mulch can result in insect and disease activity and subsequent damage and decline. Crown rot has killed more plants than drought. Thick layers of rotted mulch should be removed before installing the new mulch to prevent hair root growth into these non-soil organic layers. If excessive hair root growth occurs in these layers, root system and plant decline will result. To replenish your mulch layer, use about 3″ of fluffed pinestraw to yield a final layer of 1 ½ “. About 1″ of bark mulch should be used to yield a final layer of ½ ” but bark can float and wash away during heavy rains making it unsuitable for some situations.
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