Newspaper as Garden Mulch

The following is an excerpt from a question and answer between Barbara Gardener and myself. Barbara G. is always looking for that "gardening edge" and she asked us here at Skillin's our thoughts about using newspaper as garden mulch.

"Regarding your question about using newspaper as mulch; I have checked various living and internet sources and the general consensus is that newspaper will work fine as a mulch.

Don’t use old newspapers as many newspapers printed before this decade contained ink that might have some toxicity to it. For the same reasons don’t use colored newspapers only black and white.

Newspaper is effective at smothering weeds but make sure you add a layer of mulch or compost or even soil to the newspaper. This natural matter will interact with the newspaper and will accelerate the decomposition of the newspaper which should help ensure that any mud or wet soil will not slide off the newspaper. Finally, as the newspaper becomes part of the soil underneath it adds a great humus type additive to the soil thus it really helps the composition of the soil."

Mike Skillin
Skillin's Greenhouses
January 7, 2008