I have a rubber drum for composting on a rotating pin. Composting is a fascinating process. Beats those nitrogen super-grow chemicals!

Andrew ~ I helped my mother create a compost ben a couple of years ago. It was so worth it as she uses it all the time. Thanks for your tip.

I am excited about gardening this spring!  Its almost time....

Kay ~ Me too! I have two raised beds.. only 10x10 but I get a lot of herbs and veggies from them.

Does this help reduce weeds in the area?  Or is it more whatever makes its way into the resulting great soil?

Kent ~ This prevents weeds from coming up, but still allows water flow. Just cut holes around the areas you plan to plant or seed.

Good tip. I use newspaper for compost. Haven't tried it as a weeder.

I have used new-papers for compost too. shredded of course.

Wish I could get into it. - we have about 3 inches of soil over rock. Raised beds are the answer - one day, I'll get around to it! For now, I buy organic from the local farm markets in the Hudson Valley.

I am an avid gardener and have used the newspaper as weed barrier; it works great. With our terrible drought you are not allowed to water so collecting what little rainwater that falls for irrigation to your plants is about the only way to keep them alive here. There are also numerous natural, non-toxic pesticide alternatives. As I have dogs and live in the Chattahoochee watershed area, any pesticides would have the potential to harm my beloved pets, the river, and the wildlife that thrives along the river. Here is a Link to a great organic gardening tips website!

Carol.  I love farm market as well. Can't wait till they start opening up. Raised beds is the answer, Rock under soil here too.

Rich, I know what you mean about the drought. I've been reading some news lately that GA is in dire straights over the drought and there is discussion of receiving water from TN. Thanks for organic link tip.

Christina,

You are so right!  We just need to have everyone do a little bit to make a HUGE difference.  I was amazed that by recycling one aluminum can that is equivalent to 3 hours of TV time energy usage.  You'll have to check out my blog on Is Shrek Green?

Tammy... I lvoe your blog! You are so right. Just a little bit helps in a big way!

Love love love that image!  I have tried the old newspapers trick and it worked!!

Christina- I just did this two weeks ago. I use my neighbors pine needles for a nice topping mulch. OK, this from a home inspector- be sure your mulch is not getting too high along the base of your home. It allows insects a covered way into the house, and it helps keep moisture by the exterior veneer, when the mulch is too high.

Janie... I love that image too. Can't go wrong with Winnie!

Thanks for the tip Frank.  I usually use pine mulch around some of my tree's. I'll remember to keep the depth down!

Thanks for that new tip Jim..... Keep them coming.

Keep checking back to Organic Gardeners... Great tips and stories.

Christina - Wonderful post!  I have tried using the newspapers, but only used a couple sheets.  Now I know what the problem was!

I started a garden this year at our new home. Soil is very hard clay. Put up a 6' fence to keep the deer out. I haven't tried the newspaper idea to control weeds but will try it next spring. I live in an area of large farms(dairy and horses) and plan on using cured manure mixed with rich top soil. Would appreciate any comments from gardners who have tried this. My wife has a compost pile for her flowers, maybe I can sneak some of that.  As a side note, I have something eating my cabbage and broccoli . I have used 7 dust but doesn't help. Any help?

Yikes, what a GREAT TIP!! One of my favorite quotes from The Orchid Thief is "The jungle is always enroaching," and that is so true here. Weeds never seem to take a holiday, barely slowing down in winter. Being a busy realtor with little time to manage weed control, they just keep popping up and we do not like to spray them. We live on a pond the feeds into a huge lake that feeds into the St. Johns River. Our pond has been having algae blooms and I know it's because of all the chemicals we neighbors 'feed' it.

 Honestly, I was about to give up on gardening, but this newspaper idea is very intriguing. I'm going to try it! Right now is the time to plant fall and winter plants and my front yard bed is in sore need of weeding - covering with newsppaper - and planting!

Thanks for this post. You have revived my zest for the soil :)

Ah yea- Newspaper is like duct tape. It really does work well for weeding- I usually layer in around existing plants and cover with mulch. If I have any left over I typically use it in my compost. I dont have a lot of leaves to use for composting but the newspaper takes the place of leaves.