Piles of old newspapers are a non-toxic way to kill weeds and grass in perennial and vegetable gardens
Weeding doesn’t necessarily require hard physical labor. It doesn’t require chemical sprays that kill grass and weeds, either. There is an easy method for preparing vegetable gardens for spring and for eradicating weeds from the perennial garden.
Organic Weed and Grass Killer
The only tools required are a rake, some weights (i.e. bricks or rocks), a mixture of compost and topsoil, and lots of old newspapers, preferably broadsheet size and printed in soy ink. According to the United Soybean Board, about 90 percent of daily newspapers use soy ink.
For perennial gardens, pull the weeds that are within a few inches of the perennial plant. Then, arrange the piled-up newspapers, about six sheets thick, around the perennials and be certain to overlap the newspapers. Finally, cover with compost or wood chips. For large gardens, this method is much kinder to the back than pulling out all the weeds. The newspapers will smother the grass and weeds, by starving them of sun and air. This method also nourishes the garden, due to the extra layer of compost, and it is a safe non-toxic method of gardening.
For vegetable gardens, pull out the weeds in the rows where seeds will be planted. In the rows between planting, spread piles of newspapers, about 6 to 10 sheets thick, and cover with nutrient-rich compost. The newspapers will smother the grass and then decompose. The earthworms will go to work and mix and aerate the plot.
Easy Garden Building
Use old newspapers to create a no-dig garden plot, as well. Start by deciding the boundaries of the area chosen for the new garden. Those interested in tidy borders may want to frame the area with a garden hose while building. Next, start piling the newspapers over the plot. Pile the newspapers about 10 sheets thick and overlap them, so there are no holes for errant weeds or blades of grass to sneak through. Use bricks or other weights to keep the newspapers in place, especially on windy days.
Next, cover the newspapers completely with a mixture of topsoil and compost. The topsoil mixture should be at least two inches thick. Remove the weights and rake the soil evenly over the plot. Finally, water the area completely. A few months later, it will be easy to set down plants in the loamy soil and both seeds and plants will grow strong in the rich, fertile plot.
