Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Newspaper under the pinestraw

I save the Sunday paper each week. Colored coupons don't last - they turn to powdery dust, but the plain old newprint can last up to two or three years if covered and not exposed to sunlight. It's cheap and really does a great job of retaining moisture in this hot dry bed, as well as good weed control.

I clean the area of all weeds place the dry newprint in layers about 8 sheets of paper thick and spray lightly with the hose pipe (garden hose). Then I cover the wet newsprint with a thick layer of pinestraw. The final product makes me happy. Schools out - I get two months to destress and work in the yard.

5 comments:

  1. I'm jealous. I only have two days off. I use newspaper and cardboard to create new beds. Although I'm seriously running out of room in the yard for new beds, I still save those items for when I find a small space to put new plants. I should have done that on the front slope bed I made last fall. It's covered in weeds right now and is on the list of things to rectify today. Enjoy your vacation.

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  2. Re:comment on my blog about Guara..it is truly a great plant. Gets a little leggy I prune it late in the summer. I also use newspaper/cardboard directly on sod, water in, cover with mulch and viola! it's ready for planting the next season..

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  3. I'm a firm believer! Fortunately, I work for a library and can get a lot of newspaper (we throw out copies after 3 months when it is replaced by microfilm).

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  4. Hi David. I wish pine straw was more available in my area. I use chopped leaves for mulch over newspaper. It works very well but isn't quite as attractive as the straw.
    Marnie

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  5. Yep I have been out of school for two years and I am still destressing. I like your mulch idea. I need to do this in my sweet potato patch.

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