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Question

I've never used newspapers to try and keep weeds at bay so I'm not sure I've done this correctly.  Any help out there?

Debi53 · Answer

Yes, but you will want to put mulch on top or the newspaper will disintergrate or get blown up by the wind. Until you get mulch down, moisten the paper.

Maryann · Answer

Hi, we had a bad problem with weeds and we put newspaper down then we used cardboard then put potting soil on top and now we are weed free and beautiful soil.

Linda B · Answer

I can't tell how many layers of paper you used, but with newspaper, a thick layer -- up to 10 sheets -- will work even better than  using less paper.

Drd4223999 · Answer

I agree with the comment above about cardboard.    It works great.  I've used multiple layers of cardboard with raised beds for veggies and in flower beds.  It's the only way I've found to stop the roots of weeds already in the ground from coming up from below.

Cheryl Blanchette · Answer

Putting soil on top will defeat the purpose and the weeds will love you for it.  Grass clippings if it isn't sprayed or straw would be better.  Plus multi sheets of paper or cardboard

UpState · Answer

More newspaper (thicker layer); overlap newspaper sections more (weeds will sneak thru gaps, if not overlapped); mulch. Water will go thru mulch & paper and be retained alot better !

Susan Bishop · Answer

I asked at my county agricultural extension office and they said a thick layer of newspaper is just the beginning.  The advocated covering the newspaper with landscape cloth, then planting.  To kill grass in an area you want to plant, this method will kill the grass and all other weeds so you don't have to dig.  It takes a couple of months for the heat of the sun to do the deed, but for this great grandmother, digging is not gonna happen.  ;-)  I did this in a back yard area that grew tumbleweeds every spring and it worked great.

Jan Talbert · Answer

I wet the papers as I lay them around my tomatoes ..several layers turned in
 different direction,  We are usually mowing and bagging at the same time, so we dump the grass bags on the papers and spread it< never weeds in my toms and the paper and grass composts by spring

Nancy · Answer

Yes , but if you want more effective , I line first with weed control fabric and put carton on top , it will last longer , the newspaper doesn't hold because  of the water. I have been using the other method for years with excellent results.

Lynn Palmatier · Answer

I use this method in my garden.  Make sure you have several layers of newspapers and overlap the edges or make use you put a layer where they  should overlap.   I then place a mulch called Soil Conditioner ( a fine mulch available at Home Depot) .  Sometimes a weed will sprout up, but they are usually very easy too pull.  Works for me every time.     At the end of the season the paper disintegrates and the mulch get tilled into the soil for next season.   I have been using this method for several years....

Ethel Wicksey · Answer

I get this ready in the winter months. I staple 5 thickness of paper together by overlapping them. When it is  long enough I roll it up.  when spring comes we just put it on the garden and top it with mulch from the compost.

Kat Davis-Moran · Answer

More the better, if you want it organic do not use the weed control from answer below, I have a yard lasagne garden visit me and it explains how I did it....

Linda · Answer

I didn't put down that much.  Thank you so much for your help.  I didn't think about how many layers I should put down.

Mikkigirl · Answer

I've used newspaper the last two or three years and it's worked very well. I used about six layers. The idea is to be eco-friendly and it's to be used in place of plastic weed block- not in addition to. .  .  .

Veronica Davenport · Answer

I have a book about shade gardening.  It says to put down 5-10 layers of newspaper (apparently, there has been no lead in newspaper type since the 1980's so even die hard recyclers probably are okay).  Then put down 8-12 inches of topsoil.  I think it says no more than 8 if you have tree roots.  I did this and put in periwinkle ground cover, but won't know for awhile if it has been successful. The hint I wouldn't have thought of is to wet the newspaper to keep it in place.

Charly · Answer

Am I seeing that you are gardening in a container?  I have most of my vegetables in containers and I've never put down any kind of weed block.  And whatever weeds I may get it takes just a few seconds to pull them out.  But if you still want to use newspapers I would suggest at least 3 layers of paper, water it in real good and then add a thin layer of mulch and water the mulch in.

Mike · Answer

Newspapers work even better if you cover them with something organic, like last years leaves, or grass clippings. These things keep the paper in place, and help the paper breakdown so that you can till it into the soil with the leaves in the fall to add compost to the soil.

Susan.law.sin · Answer

Ideally the layers should be overlapping too so they dont grow between the cracks.

Mcgypsy9 · Answer

Yes newspaper is definitely in my gardens! I usually put pretty thick layers down, overlapping them so they won't let the weeds come through. I also use cereal boxes and all the little boxes off of just about anything in the kitchen! I stay away from the ones that are shiny but if I have to use them I turn them shiny side down in the garden. They will last for about 4 years if they are done thicker. I put a very large flower garden in last year and my husband decided to finish it for me while I was not home by spraying all the weeds with weed killer and then put the mulch down. Needless to say I was furious! I wouldn't let him go near it this year and have finished almost all of it but need to get more mulch. I started in early spring and have not had any weeds come through. I used this method several years back in another home we owned and it was a huge success! It actually lasted about 7 years. I do not use any shiny newspaper either. The best is with no shine. I wanted to add a layer of soil last year but again hubby finished it so.... But this year has a layer of soil and then a layer of mulch. You can use just mulch and it doesn't have to be thick layers of the soil or the mulch just enough to cover the paper and then just enough mulch to cover the soil. Good luck!

Linda · Answer

Thank you so much for your insight!  I am learning so much through Hometalk and everyone here!

Lavonne · Answer

This does work but beware - if your garden is close to your home.  When I did it - I had a garden that was about 15 feet from my house . I picked up the newspaper one day and saw dozens of termites. Apparently they are attracted to wet newspaper. I pulled it up and bought weed block material.  Yes, I do have a termite contract but I am not taking any chances.

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