| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ragdoll |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 4:31:49 PM
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 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| loribeck |
Posted - Sep 04 2019 : 6:06:36 PM
I am definitely going to use newspapers in my garden next garden season. I have noticed that there are a lot of worms in the dirt so that is a good thing. I try to give back to the ground when I can and papers are a great way to feed the earth.
Lori Beck |
| suny58 |
Posted - Aug 30 2019 : 6:21:46 PM
I actually DID this this year!!! It helped tremendously with weed control BUT my other benefits were little pest invasion and a ton of beautiful soil in which many more earth worms filled the soul. Healthy veggies too! My flowers were beautiful!! I read about this long ago in one of my old garden magazines, Garden Gate, I believe. If you don't have newspaper cardboard works well also!
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Aug 21 2019 : 04:35:49 AM
Lori, you are right there. We didn't have a garden this year and the weeds have gone crazy. I am going to work on it this fall to prepare for next year. I should have plenty of newspaper and will put black plastic down on top over winter. In spring it should be more manageable to get started again.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| loribeck |
Posted - Aug 20 2019 : 5:27:12 PM
Thank you Denise. I have started saving my newspapers, too. Anything to help make weeding easier is worth trying.
Lori Beck |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Aug 15 2019 : 05:21:14 AM
I have done a newspaper garden. I put down the newspaper, wet it and put soil over. It really helps keep the garden weed free. Putting in between the rows is a great idea.
Lori,
I don't know if cardboard would work as it doesn't decompose as well as the newspaper does.
I save papers all the time because in the winter we use them for starting the wood stove.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| loribeck |
Posted - Aug 14 2019 : 6:57:18 PM
I have read about using newspapers in the garden. I think it's a great idea. It would take me a long time to get enough papers to put down but I think using cardboard boxes would have the same results. I have a very small tiller and if putting paper and cardboard down would save me a lot of work I'm all for it.
Lori Beck |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Feb 18 2011 : 07:57:01 AM
Some year I am going to try the potatoes in straw, but this year my focus is getting on top of the weeds and thistles (I have them too Holly:))
I did read a hint in The Family Handyman if you are using mulch, it could be easily adapted to newspaper gardening too. You put an upside down plant pot, or you could use a milk jug with the bottom cut out, over each seedling, then spread your mulch. Voila - you have protected seedlings, and weed inhibiting mulch. It's one of those hints where you think - why didn't I think of that?
I do newspaper every year (for the last 4) and the 1/4 of the garden space where I have been diligent about it has finally gotten under control as far as weeds. I have a source for free burlap too so I'm adding that this year.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| Judyr808 |
Posted - Feb 17 2011 : 8:47:24 PM
Henlady, I like to start on good ground, build a wood frame with 2X4's about 4'sq. put a layer of straw. I've used old straw that hasn't been used, a friend had in her barn, but I think used would be fine, not from dog kennels but horse or cows should be fine.. Put seed potatoes or starts from kitchen leftovers about 8" apart, build frame another board higher and put another layer of straw, let potatoe plants grow until there are leaves then just contenue building frame and layer with straw for several layers about 4 or 5' tall. You can use good top soil instead of straw too. Hope this helps. I've had really good results with this.
Judy
Love & Light |
| henlady35904 |
Posted - Feb 16 2011 : 5:54:14 PM
Judy,
I have been watching your posts on the potatoes planted in the straw. I'm very interested in this. Do you just put new or used straw on the ground and start adding seed potatoes? Any info is appreciated! Thanks:) |
| Daizy |
Posted - Feb 14 2011 : 05:29:09 AM
Hay Ya'll
I have also heard of the straw/add-on in small amounts method and my friends have always had tators. My question is: will this also work with shavings that come from my dogs kennels or horse stalls (that have been in dump pile for months).
I love the newspaper gardens. I use it and it works great but the wind does tend to lift it up and "move" it around....put rocks or mulch on top. If you still have left over paper then the thrift store usually takes it to wrap up glass/brakable items. We have decreased the garbage pick up around here by 2/3 the usual amount....we just have to find the "other" uses out there.
Love and Prayers,
Your SISTER
Daizy
PHR Farmgirl #1093
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron?? |
| Judyr808 |
Posted - Feb 14 2011 : 12:13:15 AM
Holly, when you start your potatoes put only about 3 in. of straw on top of them. When they sprout and there are leaves above the straw put another few in. on top, covering all of the leaves, they will grow through that new straw, keep doing that for as much straw as you have. The potatoes will be all through the straw, they produce so much more this way. Good luck!
Love & Light |
| grammytammy |
Posted - Feb 12 2011 : 05:25:43 AM
Holly, mine is the same. I have abandoned it for several years and it is not pretty. I have a neighbor who uses newspaper in his flower gardens and they are always beautiful.
God loved us so much He gave His only son to die in our stead. |
| HollyMaker |
Posted - Feb 11 2011 : 6:15:30 PM
If you saw my garden now you would think that my choosen crop is weeds and thistles! I have never been able to get ahead of them but I must try this technique this year. There is a local paper that is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks that would be perfect. I have also heard about growing potatoes in straw. I'll have to find someone around here that has some seasoned straw (from a goat pen) and I guess I'll try my hand at growing potatoes with this method. Thanks for all the ideas ladies!
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http://www.chartreuseproducts.com/hlennon.html |
| HollyMaker |
Posted - Feb 11 2011 : 5:40:41 PM
If you saw my garden now you would think that my choosen crop is weeds and thistles! I have never been able to get ahead of them but I must try this technique this year. There is a local paper that is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks that would be perfect. I have also heard about growing potatoes in straw. I'll have to find someone around here that has some seasoned straw (from a goat pen) and I guess I'll try my hand at growing potatoes with this method. Thanks for all the ideas ladies!
____________________
http://www.chartreuseproducts.com/hlennon.html |
| Judyr808 |
Posted - Feb 11 2011 : 4:22:09 PM
Oh yes, you can use cardboard boxes too. In the fall after everything has been harvested, I open, as many large boxes as I can find, up flat and cover as much of my garden, or cover a new place where I want to plant something new next year. Put a few rocks or shovels of durt on top to hold it down (if it is printed with colored paper on one side place that side up) In the spring, lift them up and see how clear it is under it. Just till into soil or remove and use again until nature breaks it down and it goes back to the earth.
Judy
Love & Light |
| Judyr808 |
Posted - Feb 11 2011 : 4:07:33 PM
Hay, I've done the news paper for years, it works well around flowers as well as between rows in the veg. garden. I put mulch on top and it works wonderfully. I grow worms too and they love newspaper laced with a little kitchen scraps.
Judy
Love & Light |
| Oggie |
Posted - Feb 10 2011 : 8:32:49 PM
I did the newspaper garden this year and loved it! I didn't have to weed anything until the very end of the season and even that was nominal. I dug my rows, planted the seeds and put string from a stick on each end of the row so I would know where it was. Then I laid down the newspaper, got it all wet so it would stay in place and then put hay over it. At the end of the season my hubby just tilled it into the ground. I plan on doing this again this summer and we now have a garden that is actually the size of a field so it should be interesting!
Ginny
Farmgirl #2343
Life is Beautiful with Bunnies
www.thedewhopinn.com |
| henlady35904 |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 5:07:07 PM
I have been doing this for about 3 years except I put the newspaper down over the entire garden, flowers too, and plant cutting holes for the plants. My perrenial bed was nothing but hard clay soil 3 years ago and is now almost black. I mulch with a 3 inch layer of pine straw every year too. Another tip for reusing-- when I bought my mini farm fixer upper there were all sorts of "stuff" lying around. A large pile of leftover roofing shingles, what to do to recycle? I used them around the base of my house where I didn't want weeds or to have to weed-eat and wha-la instant weed bearer. Happy Gardening! |
| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 1:21:06 PM
Hey KathyC,
Burke is right next door to me, county-wise anyway. Email me sometime and we can get acquainted. Glad to be a part of this all.
Cathy |
| KathyC |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 11:13:48 AM
Hey Cathy,
Nice to see another North Carolina girl here. One day we might be neighbors as we have property in Burke County and hope to retire there!
Kathy
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| cottagefarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 09:22:06 AM
I did this in a back bed that was lacking. I put a layer of newspaper covered with about 8-9 inches of mulch. It wintered over, and I planted things in the Spring. Best bed in my yard that year. Elephant ears that dwarfed my hubby (who is 6'4"). It is a wonderful, simple garden tool to have in your bag of tricks. Grannies are usually very wise, and this proves that. |
| AliciaNak |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 06:58:18 AM
We tried potatoes in old bathtubs, with a tiny bit of soil in the bottom and then straw filling the rest. They grew ok on the top, but when we pulled em up there were NO spuds!! I wanted those old tubs for a kitchen herb garden anyhow. :)
I put newspaper strips in between my lettuce rows last spring and had to keep rocks on top of em to keep em from blowing away. The wind here can get horrible and gusty. It DID keep the weeds down, some of the little devils grew sideways until they were out from under the newspaper. They were easy to pick.
Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
www.artfire.com/users/BlondeNakCreations |
| kathyjane |
Posted - Feb 07 2011 : 8:25:49 PM
I tried the straw bale gardening a couple of years ago and it was a big flop!!!! They dried out so fast that my plants just burned up. I watered everyday first thing but this Missouri sun just wreaked havoc.
Kathy Jane
Farmgirl #2565 |
| Sarahpauline |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 8:22:21 PM
Darlene, that is exactly what I am referring to. THe article I read discussed a family that had just moved into a new property, hadnt had time to prepare soil for a garden and used the bales, the plus side was no weeds!
Oh Mr Darcy!
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com
www.whimsyscents.com |
| HealingTouch |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 8:13:12 PM
I belong to another garden group and a lady posted a picture of her plants in the strawbales. They were planted directly into the whole bales and the plants were very healthy looking. Seems like a good solution for people who have little garden area. |
