Use Newspaper to Control Weeds

Instead of purchasing expensive landscape cloth, herbicides or spending hours on your knees pulling weeds, good old fashion newspaper is a great substitute to control unsightly weeds.

Use several sheets of newspaper as you would landscape cloth. Cover the paper with soil, mulch or landscape stones. It allows moisture into the soil and blocks most weeds for at least 3 years. The thicker the layer of paper the longer it will last. Eventually the newspaper composts into the soil.

Also, run old newspaper through your paper shredder and add it to your compost pile. It will turn to compost within a few weeks.

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Comments:

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We use grass clippings from the lawn as mulch, perfect for use around our tomato plants.

Posted by frank on March 31, 2009 9:05 PM

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We get the "end rolls" from the local newspaper printing facility. It is newspaper with nothing printed on it. Bonus: it is free and, since it is still on the roll, it is easy to put down.

Posted by chris on March 31, 2009 11:33 PM

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This really works I have been doing it for thirty years I put mulch in the garden beds on top and in the vegetable garden i put hay or grass clippings on top of the newspaper. The author Ruth Stout wrote about this years ago.

Posted by anonymous on April 02, 2009 7:51 PM

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The newspaper does work. I tried this last year and there are still no weeds coming through.

Posted by anonymous on April 03, 2009 10:14 AM

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This is an excellent method of weed control. The garden plastic that is popular now actually prevents adequate air circulation, and consequently the soil underneath actaully rots. Newspaper, on the other hand, allows the soil to 'breathe'. Another advantantage to paper is that the it gradually decomposes and improves the texture of the soil. One tip I'd add is that it helps to put thick pads of newspaper rather than just a few sheets.

Posted by Abby H. on April 03, 2009 12:31 PM

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Great idea! I was gonna do this..unfortunately I have 2 Boston Terriers that love to KICK after they potty..I'd have the newspaper dug up and shredded all over the yard! Now that would be attractive! LOL.

Posted by Coregon on April 06, 2009 7:03 AM

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Would the ink from the newspaper be toxic to the soil, especially if put in the vegetable garden?

Posted by anonymous on April 07, 2009 2:47 AM

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Most newspaper inks are soy based or vegetable dyes (altho they weren't always so, but concern about toxicity has brought about change) so should be safe for your garden. to be sure you should contact your local paper to find out exactly what type of ink they use.

Posted by christyp on April 07, 2009 10:54 AM

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Newspapers and brown bags work great as weed barriers.I put down between four and six inches of paper in the flower beds and anywhere else I want to keep weeds out.I go to the drop off at the local library and get all I need.You could ask your neighbors if you need to.A great way to start a conversation and pass on a great enviromentaly friendly tip.

Posted by Roxanne on April 12, 2009 12:52 AM

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I live in hot texas and i have tried bad plastic but i have noticed that plants dont grow as much as where i used newspapers to keep weeds out.

Posted by Kari on April 22, 2009 5:09 PM

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I use newspaper and cardboard, and then cover it with dried leaves and pine needles. The only drawback is that it creates and excellent climate for slugs, and this can be very troublesome! Anyone else have this problem, and if so, how did you cope?

Posted by Paula on April 23, 2009 9:40 AM

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Does anyone know if stale (old) beer can be used on any plant to help it grow better? I'd like to get rid of the full bottles since they are beyond the date and no one in the house likes beer.

Posted by Sweet Pea on April 23, 2009 5:33 PM

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I have tried just clean grass clippings this year did I make a mistake?

Posted by joe on April 26, 2009 9:03 AM

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Joe, I don't think you made a mistake. for the last 10 years i've used grass clippings around my tomato plants and they work great.

Posted by anonymous on April 27, 2009 7:56 AM

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Last year I grew collard greens in my garden. At the end of the season I left the stalks. This year I see new leaves on the stalks. Is this good or do I have to replant new collard greens?

Posted by Chris on April 27, 2009 11:35 AM

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In season you can get more from your collard greens if you break off the larger outer leaves (leave the inner 3 leaves to keeping growing) once the leaves are 10-12 inches tall.

You can also collect seeds from your plants once they have gone to flower (it looks like a green bean) and then just let them dry right on the stock. once they have dried out put them in a bag and save for next year.

I don't know about season to season. I always plant new.

Posted by anonymous on April 28, 2009 12:48 PM

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Sweet Pea--I have heard that stale beer is good for your garden/plants, something about the yeast. but make sure to dilute it first, 1/4 beer 3/4 water.

Posted by sal on April 28, 2009 6:01 PM

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I bought two rhododendrons and one already has brown leaves on it; I have not had it one week. Should I return or is there something I can do to rid the brown leaves? Also, I lose most of the rhododendrons I buy, they never quite fully bloom as blooms turn brown before they mature into a full flower. What can I do to amend the soil so that they will thrive. I plant them near tree line as directed.

Posted by anonymous on April 29, 2009 2:57 PM

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Hello everyone I'm in chicago and I'm attempting my first garden.. So excited I want to start slowly but I spend sooo much on lettus, greens and beans. I also want to do maybe 2 trees. The rain is coming down daily so this weekend I will have the soil turned and go from there. Since I've never tried this before I will take pics.

Thanks for this site and maybe with you all-I can turn this cold thumb into a green thumb............Thumbs-up

Posted by shelia on April 30, 2009 10:24 AM

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Ya'wl don't know how much this has helped. I've been on my knees for the last 3 days pulling weeds one by one and my back is broke. LOL.....tomorrow I'm putting down newspaper. Thanks for the tip :)

Posted by Lana in Alabama on May 05, 2009 12:36 AM

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FYI, Yes newspaper works very well. Just make sure you do not use the "Glossy Colored" pages. Like the ones in the inserts or sale ads. The colored ink over time can harm the soil and the paper its self has such a fine bond that water will stand on it and not soak through into the ground. Also, you should only put newspaper down at mid-night, that way all of your neighbors will not think you have lost your mind.

Posted by anonymous on May 06, 2009 1:08 PM

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I'll give you another tip Use carpet it will do the job . But you have to cut it to size. But it is heavy and will stay flat. Sometimes the wind will get the paper if you don't get it weighted down.

Shreaded then paper makes soil breath.
But it will work fine.

Posted by Dennis on May 07, 2009 3:04 PM

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Another tip:
When planting tomatos take all the green leaves off the bottom. Then before you plant get hole deep enough that you can get all the plant in the soil except the very top.

Place a table spoon of sugar in the bottom the hole and you will have the sweetest tomato's you have ever tasted. Try it (It works) An old gentlemen about 88 yrs told me this.

Have fun as that is what it's all about.

Posted by Dennis on May 07, 2009 3:15 PM

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I used newspaper last year and although it worked well, it became a perfect habitat for voles and chipmunks. My garden was overrun with them. There were tunnels everywhere as well as destruction of my root crops. This year I am going to deal with the weeds. Any suggestions on detering the critters?

Posted by terri on May 07, 2009 9:14 PM

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Won't your neighbors think you are crazy if you are out putting newspapers in the garden at midnight? Thanks for the tips. I just started saving newspapers for mulch and did not think dyes were a problem any more. Happy gardening.

Posted by anonymous on May 14, 2009 9:36 PM

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Paula, as for the slug problem my mother used to treat them with the following. Epson salt about 3 inches away for the border of your garden and there is a product made out of crushed sea shells use the same way(I will have to ask her the name of it as I have forgotten) that is sold at local gardening centers. It was green before being green was in. She did not like to use chemicals on our lawns and garden. HTH

Posted by Michelle K on May 16, 2009 1:19 PM

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I just went to a garden meeting, and was told that breathing in the crushed sea shells can cut up your lungs. I have not checked into it, but this person was very educated. This product does not have a warning on the container. Be careful, wear a mask when using it.

Posted by anonymous on May 16, 2009 10:58 PM

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Diatomaceous earth is the best snail, slug preventer for your tomato plants.

Posted by SharleeGA on May 18, 2009 11:36 AM

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Charlotte, that is it! Thank you for posting the name of the product. I asked my mother and she could not remember how to spell it, but that is it. We used it every year around her garden bed as well as collecting the discarded human hair from the local beauty shops and using the hair as a border to deter rabbits. That worked as well.

Anonymous, As for inhaling the product I have not had that happen. As DE is not as fine as a powder but I would speculate that there are fine granules in it. So good point from your very well educated person.

Posted by Michelle K on May 22, 2009 10:18 PM

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i'm confused. is the newspaper on top of the dirt around the stem or under the dirt? if on top how do you keep it from blowing away when it dries. would pine needles be as useful, if on top?

Posted by shea on May 23, 2009 3:01 PM

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I first tried this out in a small flower bed. After three months I noticed a BIG difference with the weed problem.It had cut my weeding time more then half. As I laided down the newspapers I would spray them with the hose lightly, just to keep them in place. After I finished with the newspapers I then added my mulch which this year was pine needles. (I found putting the soil on top of the newpaper only caused weeds to grow, and I even tried sand too, ng))The plants are getting their water and I am spending more time enjoying my garden instead of pulling weeds. I would highly recommend doing this project.

Posted by Gina on May 27, 2009 1:48 AM

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so glad i found this site..i just cleared out one of my gardens and the reason i am on here to begin with was to look up on ways to get help for the weeds before i planted anything..i will also use it in my other gareden next year before i get it started..thanks for the advise on slugs too..my daughter gave me some hostas this year ans she said she had a problem with them..so keep up the ideas..

Posted by deedee in mo. on May 27, 2009 11:57 PM

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Thank you for sending me your newsletter; I will pass it on to other members in Kamloops, B.C.

I will try the newspaper for weed control as I too spend a lot of time weeding in my garden; and I will try the carpet as well to keep the tall grasses away from trees that have been newly planted on the garden site.
jj kamloops, b.c.

Posted by anonymous on May 29, 2009 7:50 AM

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Does anybody know how to murder blackberry bushes? I've had these suckers in my backyard forever and I'm still trying to find the magical way to kill them for good. Please help.

Posted by anonymous on May 29, 2009 5:33 PM

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Don't murder those blackberries! Blackberries are Yummy! Have you seen how much they go for in the store???? Harvest them, make great dishes, jelly share or sell them.

Posted by anonymous on June 03, 2009 6:05 PM

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I've used newspaper for years to control weeds and even cardboard where the weeds are particularly nasty. In the veggie patch a nice covering of lawn clippings makes for a nice clean bed for the fruit as they grow. No one can even see the newspaper and the garden is weedfree all summer long. Are we geniuses in the garden or what?

Posted by Glory Lennon on June 05, 2009 9:57 AM

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I tried newspaper covered with mulch last year. I had been told to soak the paper first so it would be wet. I covered it with grass clippings. The next day I went out and discovered big pieces of paper all over the area and the plants I had just set out lying on the ground. Seems the wet newspaper was a haven for worms and other moisture loving critters. And the birds went after them with a frenzy destroying all my hard work in the process.

Would using the newspaper dry avoid this do you think? You would still have to water the area especially if the plants are newly transplanted

Posted by Ottermom in KCMO on June 07, 2009 11:27 PM

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Sweet Pea- I use beer in the garden to kill the slugs. Fill jar lids with the beer that have been place on the outer edges of the garden. It's amazing how the lids fill up with dead slugs. I'm not sure why or how (I think they drown). I wouldn't put the beer on my plants because I'd fear they would be attracted to the scent yet no liquid to drown them.
Regarding the newspaper: I've used it & it works very well. For annuals & veggie gardens, before planting, lay the newspaper and soak with water, spread a layer of loam, peat & compost mix (about 2") then cut out holes with a knife where you want the plants.
Regarding Hay as mulch: I seeded my new lawn, half I covered the grass seed with hay the other half didn't. The hay side didn't have to be watered as often but is loaded with weeds. The half w/o hay had to be watered 3 times a day for 5 days, a bit of a pain, however it is 99% weed free. I was told that the birds would gobble up the seed that wasn't protected by the hay, which turn out not to be true.

Posted by Patty on June 18, 2009 8:27 AM

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I too use newspaper and get all I want by picking up unsold papers from convenience stores. If you ask ahead of time most will save them for you, just be very prompted on picking them up as most places do not have the spare room to store them.

I use them two ways, laying down 6 - 8 sheets around the plants, also by shredding them, I use a old plastic tub and a string trimmer, papers in the tub hit them with the trimmer shreds them up quick and put down 3 - 4' deep' water them well and they kinda "melt" in around the plants

We use them in the veggie garden with out anything on top, with the exception of a few rocks to hold down the sheets, if the shredded stuff starts to blow around I use the cheapest baking flower I can find sprinkle that on top and water lightly, flower + water = paste helps hold everything in place, and till the whole mess in in the fall for easy clean up

Posted by Jim on June 24, 2009 4:39 PM

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Question about tulips and daffodils. Can they emerge through the newspaper? This year, after they bloomed, I put down the newspaper/soil/mulch to keep the weeds out of the surrounding garden. But, now I wonder if the bulbs will have enough strength next spring to push through the newspaper. Do any of you garden pros know?

Posted by anonymous on June 24, 2009 10:54 PM

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Just found this site! It is so informative. I love it already. Now, can anyone tell me why my female pumpkins will not open. I have had large beautiful male flowers for a month now, but no females. The males are getting smaller and there are less of them every day. Does anyone know what is going on with them.

Posted by missd on June 26, 2009 11:52 AM

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Interesting tips on gardening! Anyone have an idea about a brick sidewalk with many weeds coming up? I really don't want to use poisons. I have several small grand kids and a pet, and our water supply is a spring.

Posted by anonymous on June 29, 2009 12:25 AM

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It's done miracles in my garden and saves money. It allows the soil to breath and it will decomposes slowly.

Posted by anonymous on July 03, 2009 12:01 PM

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This is a great site filled with great ideas from you guys!!!
I love using newspapers to start a bed. We have rocky soil, so instead of digging down, I build up! (I have started 3 beds for my neighbors in that manner. Works SO well!) Like the earlier poster said, I also use wet newspapers(thick layers) then top them with rich compost and overlay with mulch. They have worked beautifully for years(except for the darned nutsedge grass...still, it is easier to pull up, especially after a rain).
I use a product called "Sluggo" for the slugs. Works great! I hate to waste a good beer! :o)
For killing weeds growing in cracks or sidewalks, etc., I use vinegar on a hot, dry day. So far, so good. Just don't apply it around plants you want to survive! :o)
BTW, I live in Arkansas, Zone 7.
Happy Gardening to all of you! and keep the great tips coming in!

Posted by Lee(Grammy) on July 07, 2009 11:12 AM

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I like to prepare a new planting area by putting out bags of composted manure & coffee grounds when available. I cover this with thick newspaper & then marsh hay to hold the newspaper in place and let the worms do their thing. We had just finished a particularly offensive political campaign. I realized many sections of the paper featured pictures of the offensive politicians. It gave me great pleasure to "push the faces down into the manure"!! (I believe the "marsh hay" needs a very moist soil to germinate - fewer weeds in my garden!)

Posted by Grandma Ruth on July 07, 2009 10:56 PM

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I have seen daffodils come up through pavement, so they would probably come up through the newspaper:)

Posted by Amy on July 08, 2009 11:09 PM

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Great site.I was surfing to get info on covering my raspberry roots. And Voila,I found this site. I used dried grass cuttings and covered very well,the next morning when I went to water half of the clippings were missing.If the wind blew it away then it is one very clever wind.As neat as a pin.LOL.
I'm going to try the newspaper trick and hope that the wind does not know how to read.
I'm excited about the raspberry bushes and only wish I lived close to the person with the blackberries I would make him the best upside down cake,jam & jelly and just for fun would tempt him/her with a mixed fruit salad with honey and poppy seed dressing.
Thanks for a great site see you soon

CD

Posted by anonymous on July 13, 2009 8:11 PM

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Just found this site! I am excited to think that someone out there might be able to help me.

I made a major mistake and planted oregano in my vegetable garden many years ago. For two years I did not garden because I had been too busy. I did not really clean out my garden and just more or less ignored it since it was "out of sight" away from my usual path to the house. Then, I discovered the oregano had taken over. When I started to garden again, I merely planted near it and have had a great garden even though there are lots of oregano plants/bushes nearby.

I want to get rid of most of those bushes now. How do I do it if I want to reclaim the plot for other plants? Just pull and till?? Is this effective or will the oregano plants just resurface again? Am I dealing with a stubborn plant?

Posted by Marcelle on August 10, 2009 6:37 AM

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Hi Marcelle...I guess all gardeners have made major mistakes....mine was getting my first hostas...now I'm over run with them....and they are giants ...but I love them, and always watching for new ones in the nursery..I also. planted lemon balm...lovely, but it crowds so many of my flowers right out.
;;I'll be watching for tips about your oregano plants....and hope it works for the lemon balm....as well.....great site.. .......

Posted by reet on August 10, 2009 10:47 PM

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In my huge community garden I have Marigolds planted along side my tomatoes for two years have prevented all the bugs except for slugs. Not only does it look pretty, but my tomatoes are bug free and the beefsteak tomatoes are over three pounds so heavy and so many the taste is awesome.
Thanks for the tip about the DE, I was using it for my rescue dog to kill their fleas, because its non-toxic and all natural for both humans and animals. The newspaper really does work my neighbors and freelance landscapers are really happy to drop off their grass clippings. My problem is w/ the squirrels, I created a beautiful play area for my granddaughters w/ about 50 sunflowers (from bulk birdseed, a lot cheaper than purchasing seed packets) and corn (I reaped a great yield that is so very sweet and tender) but as soon as they bloomed those rodents broke the heads off and left the remains on front porch, any suggestions? I used no weed killer and the only fertilizer was liquid fish, that I had to dilute. The vinegar is great too, boiled water on the weeds kills them too. Thank you very much for this website.

Posted by anonymous on September 05, 2009 12:07 AM

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I've tried newspaper and even paper feed sacks as a weed barrier, but not at the 3-4 inch thickness talked about by some of the folks here. In West Texas, perennial ragweed, common bermudagrass, and perennial nightshade will come up through an inch of paper barrier like it's fertile soil. I'm planning a raised bed garden this year, so I may try to locate enough paper to do the 3-4 inch thickness before I start adding the other items. Thanks for the tips.

Posted by Mark on September 05, 2009 11:00 AM

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just read about the newspaper - i put it down 3 yrs ago and this summer i have weeds...will be putting it down again once i get the weeds out...it worked in all the beds - hosta, shade and flower garden.

Posted by anonymous on September 07, 2009 4:37 PM

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Do you have a tip for keeping neighbor's dog from using your yard as a bathroom?

Posted by anonymous on September 10, 2009 6:58 PM

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Do I put the newspapers down in the fall? How do I grow seeds and plants through the newspapers? I have a country-type garden that I frequently start from seeds. I'm afraid the newspapers would not only keep the weeds down, but also my seedlings from growing.

Posted by Cindy on September 15, 2009 10:03 AM

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Boiling water to kill weeds works 100 %. but it will also kill plants. I use it only on the road side and in my driveway.

Posted by ilse on October 04, 2009 12:27 PM

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