Don't Forget About Using Newspaper!

[Evelynisorganic]

I use newspaper as mulch around my plants and it really keeps the weeds down. It will dissolve from year to year so you need to place it down every year but it's cheaper and easier than buying other stuff. I put several thicknesses of newspaper down, then use a utility knife to cut an X in the paper to plant what I want. Fold back the X and then to keep the paper from blowing away use some compost or other dirt around the plant. It keeps them moister too so you don't have to water as often.

[SnickerDoodle]

Wonderful idea Evelyn! I have a ton of newspapers that I was going to recycle so I'm going to try this. Can you use the whole paper or is it just a certain part?

[Evelynisorganic]

OH! I forgot to tell you, you can only use the newspaper with newsprint on them. You can't use the shiny, ads sections or coupon sections. Some papers also publish a supplement in the shiny stuff so you can't use those either. You CAN use regular newspaper that has color on it but not the shiny stuff.

[HippieGirl]

I have never heard of this! I will have to tell my husband so we can avoid herbicides in favor of newspaper. He's not as passionate about the environment as I am but will try it.

[Campanitas]

I am very impressed with this idea. I don't really have a green thumb, but I have several friends that will love this and it will definitely is a good way to recycle newspapers.

[CleanGreen]

Wow that is a great idea! How did you come up with it? What a great way to recycle, save money, and go green!! I love it!

[One Earth]

It really does work. I have done it before. Interestingly enough, I find that I don't have much newspaper around anymore since I do so much online these days.

[Evelynisorganic]

Thanks folks! I can't remember where I read this but it was somewhere I was reading. It's a great way to go organic. It's much nicer than using weed block which you can use in a regular garden but it does nothing to enrich the soil. This option does help the soil.

[GoOrganic]

I love this idea. It's environmentally friendly and helps the soil. Something else that I like about it is when it rains, the newspaper will absorb the rain instead of the rain running off like it does off plastic that some people use. It's great for an organic garden, both to enrich the soil and prevent or discourage weeds.

[Annie Jane]

I'll try this tip around my flowers this year! I hate weeding so I would love this! I have a ton of newspapers around too, so getting the newspaper isn't a problem.