Will newspaper help stop weeds?

leon90

is it a good idear to use newspaper to stop weeds

Noyade

I'm not much of a gardener @leon90 but I remember my father using newspaper around his tomato plants - with success.

JacobZ

Using newspaper under mulch is a bit of an old-school method, but yes — it can still work really well for reducing weeds in garden beds. Before commercial weed mats became common, gardeners often used layers of newspaper to smother weeds and help hold moisture in the soil, and the approach is still effective today when done properly.

You'll want to lay down about 5–10 sheets thick, overlapping the edges so there are no gaps for weeds to sneak through. Lightly wet the paper to help it stay in place, then cover it with a good 5–7 cm layer of mulch. The mulch keeps the paper from drying out or blowing away, and together they form a barrier that blocks sunlight and slows weed growth.

Over time, the newspaper will break down naturally, adding organic matter to the soil as it decomposes. It’s a low-cost, environmentally friendly option, especially for new garden beds or areas you’re reclaiming from lawn or weeds.

Just avoid glossy or coloured pages, as they can contain inks that aren’t great for the soil, and make sure to keep mulch a few centimetres away from plant stems to prevent rot.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob