Mulching with newspaper

[Dotty Sarah]

Hello all, I've got one bed that I need to cover up as I'm not going to get around to digging it now as it's still too claggy and would like to experiment to see the difference between dig and no dig but it's really not the done thing at my allotment site.

I don't really have access to anything over than newspaper, I understand that you lay it wet and it eventually sets but does much blow away at any point? My immediate neighbour is nicknamed the sargeant major and has an immaculate plot, don't think he'd appreciate it if paper was blown over to his side!

Any advice greatly appreciated

[zazen999]

If you don't want anyone to know [and I'd use cardboard myself but newspaper works], cover with more soil and rake it over. Or weigh it down with stones or something heavy. I usually put full seed trays over mine to weigh it down.

[Dotty Sarah]

Thanks, that's a good idea about the soil over the top. I've had to put cardboard down in another area to kill off a mass of perrenial weeds but I've then covered that with some nice tidy black weed fabric and put pots of phacelia on top to hold it down. Can't do that with the other bed as I'll be needing it within the next month or two and it's a much larger area.

[Veggielot]

would like to experiment to see the difference between dig and no dig but it's really not the done thing at my allotment site

I can't see it being against any rules so if you fancy doing it go for it. You might even teach them something. I would use carboard as well, it will last longer. If you don't have any try your local shops they may have packaging they will let you have.

[zazen999]

Thanks, that's a good idea about the soil over the top. I've had to put cardboard down in another area to kill off a mass of perrenial weeds but I've then covered that with some nice tidy black weed fabric and put pots of phacelia on top to hold it down. Can't do that with the other bed as I'll be needing it within the next month or two and it's a much larger area.

You can do the whole area, just don't use the weed fabric and plant through the cardboard.

[horticultural_hobbit]

I did it. Observed some useful results. I had paper the plot in patches, and weighed it down with clods of earth and weeds. These were weeds that I took up, laid the paper, and then plonked back. I did get a few 'hmms, oh, yes, really' type thing. The clay did like it though, and was easier to play with.

As for cardboard. Yes, I have planted some bulbs through it, looks all right.

[Snadger]

Papier mache plastered on the paths would be as good as concrete!

[Dotty Sarah]

Papier mache plastered on the paths would be as good as concrete!

That's a genius idea, love it.

Thanks everyone for your help.

[Two_Sheds]

no dig ...it's really not the done thing at my allotment site.

Yes, ours is like that: stuck in the 1960s



At school I weight the card/paper down with sack of autumn leaves. It looks a bit untidy but works like a charm.

Water your ground before you lay the mulch ~ this will give the worms a headstart, and they'll dig over that clay all lovely for you

Do take before & after pics, and come back to show us