can I use newspaper as a mulch?

Can I use regular newspaper or phone books?

Newspaper is considered safe and makes a good weed barrier- You probably want to cover it with mulch for appearance but it isn't necessary. Use, say six or eight thicknesses to block the weeds, Avoid using glossy sections, might have plastic on it or something. A thick phone book will be like a hunk of wood on the garden, gradually rotting at the edges over a long time.

Mulch over top will also help keep the newspaper from blowing away if you live in a breezy area.

I agree with Ecrane3, Mulch will aid but over a short period of time the weather will break down the newspaper easily. A type of Landscapper clothe is better in the long run with trying to keep weed's away but it's not a cure either.

Rachel

I'm actually not a fan of the landscape fabric in garden beds--it can become a pain as weeds get their roots stuck in it and it's harder to plant through, and I'm also not sure if it's as healthy for the soil underneath. I removed some from a garden bed at my old house that had fabric over part of the bed and just plain mulch over the rest, and the part that had been under the fabric didn't look nearly as healthy. I'm not sure if there are any studies out there on that subject, but that was my observation. I'll use it under paths and things but in garden beds I definitely prefer things that will break down and enrich the soil more quickly.

Land scape frabic does come in handy here Ecrane but I will add that I do have some plant's that break through it easily and still spread like crazy. To each his/her own though;-)

Rachel

I have used newspapers as mulch and cut old wire clothes hangers for use as staples to hold them in place and covered it with mulch. Worked great.

Thank you! I should have written "weed barrier"! I will use the newspaper -- I was going to tear sheets out of an old phone book -- will this work? Can xerox print be used? My weeds are really bad and I would like to avoid using weed killer or at least keep the use is weed killer to a minimum. Thanks for the information!

The problem you may have with phone book sheets is with weeds that make runners, creeping up around the edges. Try to overlap well, as you would with newspaper.

i use my shredded documents too, wetting the paper down as i go. then i cover it all with mulch.

i put pine straw over my newspaper have an abundance of it in my yard so thats what i use

Great ideas!! Thanks so much!!

so you guys use a paper pulp? Is this good for flowers vedgies or both?

it's good for everything. keeps weeds out and holds moisture in. it's easy on the roots. i hate plastic/weedcloth.

it gives a whole new meaning to "my pet ate my homework"