Everyone has access to newspapers. Even if you don’t read them, local gas stations and grocery stores are often more than happy to let you take old or leftover issues if they aren’t meant to be returned to the printer. What if you could use them to kill unwanted grass and weeds or as an alternative to the chemicals typically used to restart a lawn? Will newspaper kill grass in the first place?
Will Newspaper Kill Grass?
No, newspaper will not kill grass in and of itself. If applied correctly, however, newspaper can be an effective method of grass and weed control as the newspaper can be used to weigh down and smother grass, weeds, and other small plants.
Will covering grass with newspaper kill it? No. A single layer of dry newspaper is unlikely to kill grass. Will wet newspaper kill grass and weeds over time? Yes, if it is a thick enough spread of wet newspaper. The power newspaper has to control grass and weeds depends on the way it is applied and tended over time. This is the only way to make it so newspaper will kill grass.
Will Newspaper Kill Weeds and Grass?
The secret to success when using newspapers to kill unwanted grass and weeds is to cut the grass and weeds as close to the ground as possible before layering on the newspaper. The shorter the grass is, the shorter the amount of time the newspapers will need to be applied.
How to Use Newspaper to Kill Grass
Does newspaper kill grass easily? Yes and no. Once you learn how to use newspaper to effectively eliminate patches of grass and weeds for good, you may consider the process to be worth the effort.
It will take many newspapers (or wet sheets of cardboard if you run low on newspapers) and several weeks to months to succeed. The results, however, are forever. Whatever grass and weeds you smother with this newspaper method will not be coming back.
Below are the 5 major steps for using newspaper to successfully smother weeds and grass.
1. Collect Newspapers
Newspapers can be gradually collected at home each week, picked up from local businesses, or collected from recycling plants or neighbors. Wherever you get your newspapers, make sure they start clean and dry to prevent accidentally adding something unwanted to your soil. Glossy ads and other newspaper inserts should be removed. Cardboard sheets can also be substituted for newspapers, as long as all tape and labels have been removed.
You will want to use 8 or more layers of newspaper per covered section, so make sure you have collected enough newspaper before you begin. Fewer layers will result in tears that can allow light in, or vigorous weeds growing up right through the paper in search of light.
2. Cut the Grass Low
Once you have enough newspaper or paper material on hand, it’s time to begin cutting plants back in preparation for the newspaper application. Cut all plants as close to the soil as possible. This can be done with a lawnmower or by hand.
3. Layer Newspaper Over the Desired Area
Each section of land covered will need to be covered by at least 8 sheets or layers of newspaper or a single sheet of corrugated cardboard. Allow a 4-inch overhang, if possible, or pin down the edges around the area you’re smothering to prevent light from getting in.
4. Ensure That the Newspaper is Wet
Spraying the newly applied newspaper or cardboard will help it stick to the ground and begin the process of smothering all of the weeds and grass below. Continue to gently wet the newspaper once or twice a week to speed up the weed and grass killing process.
5. Weigh Down Each Section of Newspaper
As the newspaper dries out, it may be blown away by a sudden gust of wind. Each major section should be weighed down. Added weight around the edges of the newspaper can further block light and help ensure that the weed and grass smothering process is successful.
Related Article: What Kills Grass? A Complete List of Dangers
How Newspaper Will Effect Your Soil
Newspaper is a “brown” or “cool” type of compost. This means that it adds carbon and loft to the soil. Worms love it and are likely to work their way up to the surface of the soil where it meets the paper, further helping the newspaper and dying plants to break down. This enriches the soil and gives it a lighter texture. If you choose to plant on top of the decomposing newspaper layer, your plants should have an easier time germinating and taking root.
Timeline for Grass and Weed Elimination with Newspaper
Grass and weeds with newspaper layered over the top should start to break down within 1 week. It’s important not to disturb the newspapers for at least 4 weeks, however, to ensure that all plants have been killed down to the root. Starting this process in the late spring or early fall can also reduce the number of weed seeds that may land on and sprout on this given patch of lawn.
Once all of the plants are killed, you have 3 options for the remaining newspaper. It can be peeled or scraped up and discarded, broken down and tilled or worked into the soil, or you could simply add a little additional soil and plant into or on top of it.
The latter two methods will allow the newspaper to continue breaking down, working its way into the soil. The last option, leaving the newspaper where it is and planting in or on it, can help the newspaper to continue controlling weeds around or beside your new plants.
Newspaper is an Excellent Weed and Grass Control Method
With just a little water, a thick stack of newspapers can be a gardener’s best friend or an easy and chemical-free way to eliminate an old lawn for a fresh start. Newspaper is capable of killing grass and weeds of all kinds with the right technique and a little patience.
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