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HomeSafeHome:  "Newspaper Gardens"  |
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Ragdoll
Farmgirl at Heart
4 Posts
Patti
Livermore
Kentucky
USA
4 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 4:31:49 PM
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My dear ol' Granny taught me years ago how to make a "Newspaper Garden". I've never found anyone who knows what a "Newspaper Garden" is before I explain it to them. Makes me wonder if Granny evented it herself?? In a newspaper garden you can plant your rows much closer together because you don't need the room to get cumbersome tillers, etc. between the rows because no weeds will grow there. After planting your rows you just lay newspapers between the rows (several thicknesses), this not only prevents weeds from growing there.....it also becomes very good compost that you can plow right back into your garden. The newspapers decompose nicely during the season so are easy to till into the soil and since they're made from wood are also good for your garden. And it works, it really does.  I've never tried it but I bet this would also be good for strawberry beds(?).
"Every day is Earth Day in my world." -Patti Case |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 7:22:18 PM
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We build raised bed in layers:
-garden soil
-cardboard
-compost
Lay dripper hoses & plant
Our beds have wood sides and are the easiest to maintain!!!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many, MRET & Wellness Coach
http://herbalmommasda.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #97
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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paintnpencils
Farmgirl in Training
31 Posts
jessica
glen rock
pa
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 8:40:58 PM
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I save my newspapers all winter to do this, and then I mow and rake grass to place ontop and where I put it down I don't have any weeds!
I love this technique! it saves me alot of weeding time!
each day is a new oportunity to create,improve, expand, and share. |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Ingrid
True Blue Farmgirl
432 Posts
Ingrid
BC
Canada
432 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2009 : 1:30:25 PM
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I've done this for years and my dad also did it. Works great.
Give thanks to yourself everyday for all the wonderful things you do! |
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LynnMarie
True Blue Farmgirl
612 Posts
Lynn
Staunton
IL
USA
612 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 3:21:30 PM
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I also lay newspaper down but in addition to that, this year with new raised beds (I moved last March but only gardened in large pots last year) I added shredded newspaper and put leaves and grass clippings on top of it. Then I topped that with sheep compost, planted seeds, and topped the seeds with more compost. The gardens are doing great despite all the rain. I keep adding grass clippings and newspapers to the layers. It really keeps the weeds out and builds up the soil.
So far I have vegetables in 3 raised beds, 3 large flower pots, 1 wash tub, and a 4 sided wire square where I planted Indian corn, pumpkins, and zucchini. I still have to fill two more wash tubs to fill with compost to plant more stuff. Oh, I forgot to say I have an old copper boiler filled with painted daisies and zinnias.
I have the biggest, healthiest worms. : )
I've always been afraid to add cardboard to my garden because of the glue. Does anyone know anything about that?
LynnMarie
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi |
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Linda Houston
True Blue Farmgirl
538 Posts
Linda
Lake Charles
Louisiana
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 2:57:03 PM
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| I have heard of this but never have done it. I think this is the time to try. Thanks |
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 3:27:36 PM
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| Great idea. I'm getting started with newspaper right away. Thanks a bunch. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1612 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1612 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 2:46:29 PM
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newspaper garden is great for the strawbeery beds.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
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cajungrammie
True Blue Farmgirl
124 Posts
tina
dry prong
la.
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 07:05:10 AM
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Great idea!i hate weeds.i will have to try this!thanks a bunch!
Sometimes I think I know Everything!!Then I wake Up!! |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
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MrsDirtDoctor
True Blue Farmgirl
165 Posts
Hallowell
Maine
USA
165 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 3:56:55 PM
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| my mother told me about this but i haven't tried it yet. the weeds are almost unbearable..i think i'll go do it tomorrow |
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carollewis
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Carol
Manning
Oregon
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2009 : 8:01:11 PM
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This sounds similar to "Lasagna Gardening." you can start a garden anywhere with this method - even on a gravel lot - put down straw and cardboard, newspaper, compost etc and then plant. The layers become your soil. I have never tried it, but it is something I want to try next year. Instead of recycling newspaper and cardboard, I am saving all of it for gardening!
Happy Gardening!! |
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antoinette
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Toni
East Freedom
PA
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Dec 01 2009 : 7:02:49 PM
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I usually start a new garden patch this way. I lay down my newspaper and top with mulch
and next spring I have a new plot to play with. Toni |
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 4:09:43 PM
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Hey Carol, my mom just gave me the book, "Lasagna Gardening" for a gift. I love it. Lots of great ideas.
Farmgirl Sister# 905
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
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marcyl
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
marcy
st peters
mo
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 1:45:13 PM
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| This sounds like a great way to recycle my packing papers and cardboard! |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Feb 09 2010 : 7:42:00 PM
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Last summer I experimented with the sq ft gardening method. My "garden" was my cold frame and I started with spring lettuce and ended with fall carrots. I actually went thru the effort of cutting 'squares' thru multiple layers of newspaper. I planted my seeds in my holes and when the plants got tall enough I added grass clippings to add additional mulching as the newspaper broke down.
I eliminated the thinning, had very few weeds and watered much less too. Plus the lettuce was cleaner with the dirt not splashing on the plants after a rain. Next to nothing for bugs and had A LOT of lettuce (36 plants) in my 2' x 3' space. Too much actually for us to keep up with eating. This year will cut back the lettuce and add radishes and carrots. And will also beg for a piece of my husband's garden (he's the true gardener) to take over an additional square foot garden plot. My secret goal is to be able to admire my husband working out in his garden while I watch mine grow from my lounge chair.  |
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Ingrid
True Blue Farmgirl
432 Posts
Ingrid
BC
Canada
432 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2010 : 5:38:27 PM
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I have done this for the past two years and has eliminated the weeds on the garden paths. Works great.
Give thanks to yourself everyday for all the wonderful things you do! |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2010 : 7:42:08 PM
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I did this too in conjunction with a modified square foot garden - it worked great in the part of the garden that I got done before the weeds got away from me. My goal for this year is to get the rest of the garden into this program. We have a huge space that was, at one time, a horse pasture, then was let go so it has lots of bindweed and thistles and morning glory weed. I had enough success last year though that I know I can get more done this year, now if it would just hurry up and be spring....
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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shepherdess
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Robin
Eatonville
Washington
USA
359 Posts |
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sw80689
True Blue Farmgirl
207 Posts
Sharon
Papillion
Nebraska
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2010 : 12:29:37 AM
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I have heard of the newspapers before but not tried it. I am going to try it this year! Thanks for the info:)
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #1393
*We are all angels with one wing, the only way to fly, therefore is to embrace one another* |
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Wildcrafter
True Blue Farmgirl
340 Posts
Suzanne
Seattle
WA
USA
340 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2010 : 08:18:12 AM
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Thanks for the info. I am starting a new garden this year. 25x50. Half herbs, half vegetables. It's a newly (January) tilled area that has been meadow, so lots of grass. I've tilled it twice, put down black plastic, but only for 3 months, so not enough time to fully kill the weeds. Lots of grass coming back up. So.....down went the straw. That works as long as it's put down thick enough, but I see places where my helpers and I had different ideas on the meaning of thickly laid down. I think I'll put the newspapers down as well. Very very good idea!
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Cedar Mountain Herb School
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HomeSafeHome: "Newspaper Gardens" |
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"Newspaper Gardens"
