Author Topic: Weed-free (Read 4728 times)

landofoz · « **on:** May 13, 2009, 10:32:29 AM »

Due to popular demand I will explain my weed free method.

It's super simple ('cause I'm lazy) and works good ('cause I'm lazy and won't bother if it didn't).

I either post on freecycle or I go to the local newspaper and get a bunch of newspapers that are to be recycled. I use 8 layers of newspaper, which is the same as 2 sheets folded twice, and thoroughly soak it with the hose. Tear a straight line from the edge to the center of the paper. This tear creates a space to slip the newspaper around the plant stem, so weeds can't grow up near the base of the plant. Cover all the area you need to with the wet newspaper, tearing it to fit close to stems. I then put my soaker hoses around my plants, using the cut off ends of wire hangers to pin the hose exactly where I need it. The weeds will have a heck of a time trying to push up between such a thick layer of newspaper but rain and oxygen will still soak through it. To prevent the the newspaper from blowing away, I place about 2-4 inches of alfalfa hay on top of the newspaper and soaker hose. The alfalfa is a mild nitrogen and prevents the newspaper (carbon) from sucking the nitro out of the soil as it decomposes. This process also keeps fussy roots cool and happy in our 100+ degree weather and works wonders for moisture retention.

By fall, all the newspaper has crumbled into the soil and most of the alfalfa has too. The rest gets tilled in after first frost and it's completely gone by spring.

sunsoaker · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:46:16 PM »

Wow.. this does sound super easy! Thanks for posting it.

Annette · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2009, 05:44:48 PM »

I like the way you think!

Jim · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2009, 12:51:17 AM »

My Dad always put newspapers between the rows of his pole beans. He said it was to keep the weeds from growing up between the rows because he would arrange his poles in teepees. I had forgotten about that till I read your post about the newspapers.

This does sound super easy and worth a try. I used lots of soaker hoses last year and they worked great. I did have to do quite a lot of weeding though.

This is a great tip.

bestofour · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2009, 09:05:10 PM »

thanks for the info. Good idea.

Penny · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2009, 01:01:17 PM »

Great idea Sarah, thanks~~!

Tonya · « **Reply #6 on:** Jun 14, 2009, 08:01:34 PM »

I better start collecting newspapers 'cause my garden is FULL of them and this sounds like something I would have time for!! Thanks Sarah!!

landofoz · « **Reply #7 on:** Jun 18, 2009, 04:40:46 PM »

If you've already got weeds - you can always just toss several sheets layered together on top of the weeds and cover with straw. It will smother them quite nicely.

bestofour · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 18, 2009, 11:18:58 PM »

I'm going to cover mine for the winter for sure.

Tonya · « **Reply #9 on:** Jun 25, 2009, 09:24:36 PM »

I was actually looking at a garden locally that I thought looked awesome(as in weed free) and noticed that there was newspaper around the base of the plants.... Definitely gonna do this next year... with a MUCH smaller garden!

Suzydaze · « **Reply #10 on:** Nov 07, 2009, 10:35:30 AM »

me too gotta try that

bestofour · « **Reply #11 on:** Nov 09, 2009, 11:52:51 AM »

I'm going to work hard to make my garden weed free too. The cover crop is growing nicely and once that is tilled under the paper's going down. I say every year that I'm going to keep up with it but maybe this will be the year that I do.

landofoz · « **Reply #12 on:** Nov 11, 2009, 08:14:13 PM »

I'm telling ya, if you put the newspaper down there will be nothing to keep up with--except picking your flowers, fruits, and veggies.

bestofour · « **Reply #13 on:** Nov 12, 2009, 10:09:59 AM »

I'm gonna try it.

Suzydaze · « **Reply #14 on:** Nov 15, 2009, 09:55:14 AM »

me too and I got a prefect place to get the news paper

bestofour · « **Reply #15 on:** Nov 15, 2009, 09:57:32 AM »

where?

Suzydaze · « **Reply #16 on:** Nov 15, 2009, 08:02:10 PM »

here they offer free newspapers all the time and when the new ones come out they just toss the old ones in the trash. I've picked them up before for lots of stuff.

bestofour · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 16, 2009, 12:47:38 PM »

who offers free papers? Where do I need to call?

Jim · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 16, 2009, 06:16:22 PM »

Sarah loo's opening post (OP) says she post on freecycle or goes to the newspaper office.

bestofour · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 16, 2009, 07:05:13 PM »

Thanks. Matthews, which isn't too far, has a freecycle group. I'll see if they've got paper.

Suzydaze · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 02, 2009, 11:13:30 AM »

might check the grocery stores too, some just toss the last weeks sale ads

bestofour · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 02, 2009, 11:32:53 AM »

I thought about Sarah the other day. I received some Christmas gifts I had ordered and they came in a big cardboard box and I broke it down and put it in part of the flower bed.

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Author Topic: Weed-free (Read 4728 times)