Replacement for Newspaper to control weeds?

13 years ago

Hi everyone. In the past i have used newspaper + grass clippings with great success for weed control. My garden is the largest its every been and really to large for newspaper + grass clippings (30x20). The only thing i can think of to replace it is the black landscaping plastic. I don't like using preen so i think i want to stay away from that. Is black landscaping plastic really all there is or is there something else that i'm not aware of?

thanks,

Ncage

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Comments (4)

Beeone
13 years ago
You have other options. You can use landscaping fabric as well, although it is probably more expensive than the black plastic.

I assume the size of your garden is outstripping your ability to read newspapers and to grow and mow your lawn and not because it quits working as the size gets larger. There would be other ways to increase your supply of these materials, though. Ask your neighbors for their newspapers and grass clippings, ask a kid who mows lawns in the area, etc.

You could also get used carboard boxes from a store and lay the cardboard down. It wouldn't need a layer of grass on top, although it would look better if it was there.

old carpet would also make a good ground cover.

The black plastic doesn't let water through very well, but the other options would let water pass through in greater or lesser amounts.
Kimmsr
13 years ago
Plastic over soil can keep the soil from breathing and the soil can then become anaerobic and that will cause major problems with the plants growing there that have roots that need air. Plastic is not a substitute for newspaper, or construction paper, or cardboard.
Landscape fabric does allow some air into the soil, but it also creates other problems because often things such as Quack Grass roots will grab hold of that fabric and use it to spread around.
The simplest thing to do is cut the size of that garden by making several smaller beds, which are easier to care for also. There is simply a lot of wasted space in a 30 x 20 garden plot.
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Yes, I do my entire garden that way and cover it with a few inches of compost/mulch. Weeds will still make their way in, BUT pulling them out is much easier and there are way less of them. I lay the newspaper up tight to the plants and then cover it over with the good composted material. (that I get free from the fairgrounds here, good stuff). I have also used cardboard, works just as well in the more open areas.
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Folks, don't worry about the colored ink in newspapers! The inks used in newspapers now are soy-based so they can be recycled, de-inked easily and mixed together. Black ink is produced using inorganic carbon blackss. The colors are made from organic pigments mixed with a solution of resins in mineral or vegetable oils. The total concentration of toxic heavy-metal compounds (lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium) must be used in less than 100 ppm. Copper (for blues) are in a form that has no effect on the environment. Small quantities of molybdenum and tungsten compounds may be used, but due to the very small amounts used, they do not pose a threat to the environment. They used to wrap fish and chips in England in newspaper, when it was more dangerous. Now, when it's safe, they don't do it anymore. By 2004, 95% of the newspapers in America were printing with organic inks. If you have doubts about yours, just call your newspaper and ASK! I have found that the amount of breakdown of newspaper and cardboard depends on how much good contact with the soil is involved. Paper/cardboard that just sits on the surface with a lot of exposure to drying air seems to last a longer time. Where I've had a good mulch or a brick holding down a corner, it disappears far more quickly. Sue
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If you take a look at photos I have posted on Cottage Garden-gallery (see "Things are starting to fill in") you will understand that I know from what I speak (my whole garden is a slope). When we bought this property many years ago, it was covered with maple trees which provided slightly less than total darkness under which nothing would grow (except weeds). I tackled this mess one area at a time. As my knowlege grew--so did the number and size of the beds. Try to do only what you can reasonably do well at the moment. You will have the time, however limited , to monitor your beds and watch for problems, happy accidents (like a volunteer seedling having planted itself). You will also learn if the plant choices you have made like the home you have provided them. This alone could save you a lot of frustration, time and financial investment. Having tried landscape fabric-difficult to keep in place,mulch tends to slide off (particularly in a hard rain). I prefer to use the 'lasagna method'. Lay down 8 layers of wet newspaper overlapping edges so weeds can't find a way through and cover with several inches of mulch (I find shredded bark works best because it will knit together and prevent sliding. Many local landfills provide this to the community at little to no cost.). Leave to overwinter. This method will not only help to control the weed problem, but will also add beneficial elements to the quality of the clay soil. Ask your friends and relatives if they would help you by saving their old newspapers for you (you will need quite a bit). I don't know the ages of your little ones, but if they are anything like my two kids were at toddler stage and up, there is nothing they would like more than helping mom and dad. Especially if it involves the opportunity to "play" in the water and get soaking wet outside. You could try this project on a hot summer day In the spring you can plant. What plants will depend on your light conditions. I hope this is helpful.
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Adding soil over the newspaper defeats the purpose and seeds in the soil, or soon to find it, will sprout and be very happy. I use 3 sheets of newspaper covered with 2" - 3" of cooked chopped hay. It totally stops weeds immediately. You have results that first year. Each year, I add another layer. Last year's layer becomes a healthy compost. I hear that you might place a thin layer of soil just before placing a new layer. This is far superior to any weed fabric as beneficial insects and worms can get through it and are nourished by it. After months of collecting a lot of newspaper, during the cold winter evenings over hot chocolate, I set a stack to one side of the table, all spread out and sorted. Then I staple three sheets to three more with about a 1" over lap. Starting rolling the stapled sheets and continue stapling more to make a long and rolled up sheet. This will make setting it out on the ground very easy. Do not use any glossy sheets (evil chemicals) but newsprint with color pics are acceptable as the ink is soy based. Hay can be expensive so, save your leaves, chop them with a lawn mower, save them for the spring in a large barrel. Leave them dry in the barrel and, in the spring, use that instead of hay.
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
13 years ago
Hate to be disagreeable but I disagree that the simple size of a garden plot results in "wasted space." The garden I enjoyed the most of all I've had was about 40 x 25 and it had paths going through it. I didn't consider one inch of it wasted and thoroughly enjoyed walking through (not next to) my garden.

But to address the original question, and leaving preen out of the discussion... Anything covering the ground will "prevent" weeds. The results depend on so many things, it's hard to predict what results you in particular would have with them. For instance, if you have a seed-dropping tree nearby, you will have tree seedlings no matter what. However it's easier to pull an oak or maple seedling out of a layer of mulch than the harder earth underneath. Barriers don't stop seeds from above, usually. So the decision comes down to what you have available and your requirements for appearance, and whether you want to spend a lot of money or use "free" materials. Leaves, mulch, grass, newspaper, pine needles, it's all good. My personal preference is leaves or mulch over newspaper. I wouldn't consider your plot too big for newspaper. If it takes you a while to cover it with something else, bricks or rocks can hold it in place.
docmoo
13 years ago
been there and done that, and outgrew the newspapers as well. if you live anywhere near the country, drive out to a farm and ask them for their paperfeed sacks! generally there are multitudes to be had and the farmer doesn't have to haul them to town to the recycling center! the sacks, when cut lengthwise to open, are twice the size of an open newspaper and are generally 3 ply. depending on the area i need to cover, i may not bother separating the plys, and they stay put better than newspaper ... or you can put a lite cover of mulch on them to help. water passes thru just fine and the weeds don't stand a chance. it's free and it's recycling and it's neighborly :)

Replacement for Newspaper to control weeds?

Comments (4)

Beeone

Kimmsr

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