Daily gardening tips: Use a layer of newspaper under mulch to suppress tough weeds

Introduction

Gardening enthusiasts often find themselves dealing with the relentless growth of tough weeds that can quickly overrun their beautiful garden beds. However, there is a simple and effective solution – using a layer of newspaper underneath your mulch. This gardening tip can significantly suppress tough weeds and provide a healthier and more attractive garden. Here's how you can benefit from this technique:

Materials Needed

• Newspaper
• Mulch
• Garden shears or scissors
• An adequate water supply

Instructions

1. Prepare your garden bed: Start by clearing the area of any existing weeds. Loosen the soil surface with a garden fork or rake to allow for better water and air circulation.
2. Obtain your newspaper: Collect a stack of newsprint, ensuring that it is free of glossy pages or colored ink. An old newspaper works perfectly for this purpose.
3. Prepare the newspaper: Prior to laying it down, dampen the newspaper sheets to prevent them from blowing away or shifting. Simply wet them in a bucket of water or use a garden hose gently. Avoid soaking them excessively.
4. Layer the newspaper: Place the damp newspaper sheets directly on the soil, overlapping them to ensure complete coverage. Aim for a thickness of around 5 to 10 sheets. This layer will effectively suppress unwanted weeds from growing through the mulch.
5. Apply the mulch: Once the newspaper layer is in place, evenly spread a generous amount of mulch over it. Mulch not only gives a finished look to your garden bed but also adds extra suppression to weed growth. You can use various mulch materials such as wood chips, straw, leaves, or compost. Aim for a layer thickness of 2 to 4 inches.
6. Water thoroughly: After applying the mulch, water your garden bed thoroughly to help the layers settle and prevent them from blowing away.

Benefits of Using Newspaper and Mulch

By employing the newspaper and mulch technique, you can enjoy several advantages for your garden:

• Weed suppression: The newspaper layer acts as a barrier, restricting sunlight and preventing weed germination. This helps to suppress the growth of tough and stubborn weeds.
• Water conservation: The combined newspaper and mulch layers help retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering and providing a better environment for plant roots to grow.
• Improved soil health: As the newspaper layer breaks down over time, it contributes organic matter to the soil, enhancing its fertility and promoting beneficial microbial activity.
• Minimizes herbicide use: Using this natural method to suppress weeds reduces your reliance on chemical herbicides, making your gardening practices more environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

The use of newspaper underneath mulch is an excellent gardening tip to effectively suppress tough weeds. By following this simple technique, you can enjoy a beautiful and low-maintenance garden while ensuring healthier plant growth. Give it a try and experience the benefits firsthand!