Many gardeners are passionate about maintaining a sustainable environment and are always on the lookout for creative, eco-friendly solutions.
If you’re one of them, don’t toss out those old newspapers just yet — they can be surprisingly useful in the garden.
From enhancing soil health to controlling pests, newspapers offer a range of practical applications that support greener, more efficient gardening practices.
1. Weed Barrier
Newspapers can be used as an effective, biodegradable weed barrier. By blocking sunlight, the newspaper deprives weeds of what they need to grow, causing them to die off naturally.
How to Use:
Lay down several layers of newspaper over the soil in the areas you want to prevent weed growth. Be sure to overlap the edges so no weeds can slip through. Wet the papers to keep them in place, then cover with mulch for a cleaner look.
2. Compost Enhancer
Newspapers are an excellent carbon-rich (or “brown”) material for composting. Compost piles require a proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratio — ideally 25:1 — to avoid bad odors and to break down efficiently.
How to Use:
Shred the newspaper and mix it with nitrogen-rich materials like kitchen scraps or grass clippings. Stick to regular newsprint — avoid glossy inserts, which may contain harmful chemicals.
3. Plant Protection
Newspaper provides a simple and effective layer of insulation to protect plants from cold snaps and frost.
How to Use:
Wrap tender plants with a few layers of newspaper in the evening to shield them from frost. Just like a warm blanket, this added insulation can make a significant difference in temperature-sensitive areas.
4. Garden Pathways
Using newspaper to create garden paths not only recycles old paper but also keeps weeds down and maintains a tidy garden.
How to Use:
Lay a thick layer of newspapers along your desired pathway, wet them thoroughly to keep them in place, and then cover with mulch, straw, or wood chips for a neat, walkable surface.
5. Soil Moisture Retention
Newspapers act like a sponge, helping to retain moisture in the soil — especially valuable during hot summer months.
How to Use:
Place a few sheets of newspaper around the base of your plants and cover them with mulch. This helps slow down evaporation, reducing how often you’ll need to water.
6. Plant Seedling Starters
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