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 away 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 a greener, more efficient gardening practice.
#1. Weed Barrier
The newspaper blocks sunlight, depriving weeds of what they need to grow, and they’ll eventually die off.
You simply lay down several layers of newspaper over the soil where you want to prevent weeds and overlap the edges to ensure no weeds slip through.
#2. Compost Enhancer
Composting requires balancing carbon and nitrogen, and newspapers are an excellent carbon source.
You only need to shred them and mix with kitchen scraps and grass clippings to achieve the ideal 25:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
This balance is crucial for avoiding a slimy, smelly compost.
You also should stick to regular newsprint and avoid glossy inserts, as they may contain unwanted chemicals.
#3. Protecting Plants
You can use newspapers to shield your plants from cold weather by wrapping them in a few layers to protect against frost.
You can see when wrapped around plants, newspapers create a layer of insulation to shield plants from frost and sudden temperature drops, similar to wrapping them in a warm blanket.
#4. Garden Pathway
Creating a garden pathway with newspapers is an excellent way to recycle and keep your garden tidy.
Just lay down a thick layer of newspapers over the path area, wetting them as you go to help them stay in place.
Besides, you can cover the newspapers with mulch or wood chips for added stability and a polished look.
#5. Soil Moisture Retention
Newspapers act like a sponge, absorbing water and slowly releasing it into the soil, which is perfect during hot summer days.
Simply lay a few sheets around your plants and cover them with soil or mulch. This technique helps retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
#6. Plant Seedling Starters
Starting seedlings is a rewarding way to boost your garden, and using old newspapers for seedling pots is both eco-friendly and budget-friendly.
You don’t need origami skills – just cut a newspaper sheet in half, fold it into a pot shape, and tuck in the flaps.
These biodegradable pots are perfect for indoor seed starting and can be planted directly into the soil without disturbing roots.
#7. Pest Control
Lay sheets of newspaper around plants to create a barrier that deters slugs and beetles.
Another trick is using rolled-up newspapers as traps. Bugs hide in these rolls, and you can easily dispose of them in the morning.
Moreover, to protect seedlings from birds, cover them with newspaper. It shields the plants and confuses the birds, keeping your garden safe.
#8. Planting Area Preparation
Like the above steps, you can start by clearing the area of weeds and grass. Then, lay down 5-10 layers of old newspapers to smother the weeds.
Next, thoroughly wet the newspapers to keep them in place and aid decomposition. Cover them with compost or topsoil to enrich your soil and hold the newspapers down.
As they break down, newspapers add organic matter to your soil, giving your garden a head start.
