How to Recycle Newspapers for a Weed Barrier in Your Garden

If you have a subscription to your local newspaper then you know just how quick those papers can stack up. There is many ways to recycle old newspapers, however most of us just toss them in the trash. Did you know that you can use old newspapers to help create a beautiful garden or flowerbed? You can find a variety of weed barriers at your local home improvement store but, the price deters many of us from buying them. Your old newspapers create a wonderful weed barrier, and it doesn't cost you a dime.

First you will need to prepare your soil. If you have sandy soil, you will want to add a few bags of potting soil to it. To do this you just simply dump the potting soil on top of the sandy soil, and then using a gardening hoe, mix the two soils together. This will make your soil richer, and your garden will flourish. Once you have your garden or flowerbed planned out, and the soil is ready for planting, you can lay down your weed barrier.

To make a weed barrier using recycled newspaper you will need a bucket of clean water, and of course old newspapers. First make sure you have 5 or 6 layers or paper together. Usually, one section such as the classifieds is enough layers. Next fold the section of paper in half, just as it comes to you. Dip the folded newspaper section into the water, making sure it is completely wet. Once the paper is soaked, remove it from the water, and gently unfold it. Now your ready to create your barrier by simply lying the 5 or 6 page sections on top of your soil. When you lay the next section down, allow it to over lap the first section about 1 inch. Repeat these steps until your garden or flowerbed is covered with newspaper.