Comments on: Manscaping, Phase 2 : A Guest Post from Aaron

By: rosemaryonthetv

rosemaryonthetv — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:43:06 +0000

Not every year. The newspaper kills any weeds that were in the soil upon planting. So once we put the mulch on top of the newspaper, even when it disintegrates over a year later, weeds can’t get through the mulch and down into the soil to germinate. Regardless, the actually application of the newspaper took less than half an hour. I just laid down a few pieces and Aaron scooped the mulch over it. It was actually the easiest part of this whole process, so I wouldn’t be too bothered if we did replace it annually. We’re still weed-free one year later, though!

By: rosemaryonthetv

rosemaryonthetv — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:38:15 +0000

Done! Thanks Jordan!

By: rosemaryonthetv

rosemaryonthetv — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:34:12 +0000

Actually, a year later we’ve had basically no weeds. It’s worked splendidly.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Mon, 06 May 2013 00:37:19 +0000

Such a great tip!! And much more fugal than weed cloth! Would you link this up to our blog hop? I think the readers would LOVE it!
xoxo, Jordan
http://www.lilywhite-designs.com/2013/05/frugal-crafty-home-blog-hop-22.html

By: Maggi A.

Maggi A. — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:12:03 +0000

Great idea with the newspaper, but entirely wrong. We’ve had weeds grow through wood. There’s no way a few layers of newspaper would stop them.

By: Lindsay M

Lindsay M — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:02:38 +0000

Is this something you have to redo every year? The newspaper and mulch I mean? If the newspaper disintegrates?

By: Patti

Patti — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:03:10 +0000

I will have to try this this summer. I have a hard time with mulch also as the voles love to use it as bedding.

By: danielle

danielle — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:43:09 +0000

I tried it too but it didn’t work for me. The weeds are growing right up through the newspaper. Either that or they newspaper and mulch is beginning to mound up. Also, when I laid the newspaper, there were very few weeds. After a big rain, it seems like the newspaper encouraged the growth b/c it is worse then before!

By: husfrugan

husfrugan — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Wondering if it’s possible to put newspaper, new soil and sand and then put new grass on top (the one you just roll out)? We just removed our old grass in our backyard (a small one) and are planning to buy new grass when the snow’s gone (living in Sweden) but we have a lot of weeds and are just wondering if this technique would work??

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:38:32 +0000

Have you had any experience with Florida betony? I tried to control it with newspaper (as well as a lot of other things), but it grew over, under, around, and up through it.