Newspaper Mulching

 I have been told that mulching with newspaper topped with grass clips
is a very easy and effective way to mulch.  I got a few questions.

1)  how many sheets of newspaper?
2) how much grass clippings, (how thick)?
3) can paper grocery bags be used in place of newspaper?

 
Why don't you ask whomever told you it was very easy and effective?
Doesn't sound like either of those to me, plus it's gonna look like
hell.

 Old Bob said:

It's an effective short-term (one season at most) method for
vegetable gardens.  It's not really appropriate for 'show' areas
of the garden.  

I use 3 sheets of newspaper topped with a couple inches of
shredded leaves or shredded straw or dried lawn clippings.
I spread lawn clippings out on the cement driveway and then
sweep them up.  (My neighbor uses fresh lawn clippings over
newsprint AND IT REEKS.  Dried clippings will not stink.)

Yes, brown paper bags can be used instead of newprint.

You can also use one layer of plain corrugated cardboard.

--
Pat in Plymouth MI
    
"So, it was all a dream."
"No dear, this is the dream, you're still in the cell."  
 
email valid but not regularly monitored
  

 wrote:


Thanks for the info, I am expanding my vegetable garden and the new
part I feel will need the mulching the most.

 wrote:


For my raised garden, I used newspaper laid over the grass and then
put the garden soil on top of that.  The paper kills the grass and
then decomposes.  I've also used newspaper under pine needles for
fill in around flowers.  Keeps the weeds down.

I used three layers of newspaper sections.  That's about the same
width as carboard.  I saw this technique on Victory Garden and
it has worked out for me.

Otoe