To: "nafex@lists.ibiblio.org" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [NAFEX] Newspaper as mulch
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:50:03 -0400
Hi all. This is what the Washington Post sent me re: using newspaper as
mulch. The first article is from Sun Chemical and the second is from West
Virginia Extension. Barbara zone 6b
Recycling Newspaper for Mulch in Home Gardens
Managing MSW 8
Solid Waste
West Virginia University
Extension Service
When to Apply the Mulch
Soil temperature is the major factor to take into
consideration as you decide when to apply the mulch.
It should be applied after the soil temperature has
reached a minimum of 73 degrees F. Newspaper
mulch will lower the soil temperature slightly. Also,
the mulch acts as an insulating material, which does
not allow the soil to warm after it is applied. Most
plants grow well if the soil temperature is above 70
degrees F.
The second factor to consider is plant height. All
plants should be at least 5 inches tall. This allows for
easy application. Also, by the time plants are 5 inches
tall, the soil should be fairly warm.
Fertilizer to Apply
Apply the fertilizer and lime recommended by a
soil test, or apply 35 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per
1,000 square feet of area. Apply the fertilizer before
you mulch. Keep the fertilizer at least 2 inches away
from the plants. Apply before the final tilling if possible.
Weed Removal
Remove all weeds before applying the mulch.
Mulch is effective when it blocks the sun's rays from
weeds and weed seeds. If all weeds are removed,
the mulch will prevent the germination of most seeds.
During the summer, pull any weeds you see growing
through the mulch.
Amount of Mulch to Apply
The amount of mulch applied is vital for weed
control. Too little mulch will allow sunlight to reach the
soil and will allow weed seeds to germinate and grow.
Apply the mulch to a depth of 4 to 5 inches. This
requires 500 pounds of shredded newspaper or 600
pounds of chopped newspaper per 1,000 square feet
of area. Do not worry about applying too much.
Check the mulch often and replace the newspaper in
areas where its depth is too shallow. Sometimes wind
causes newspaper to move until the paper stabilizes
as a mulch.
West Virginia University extension faculty have
done extensive research in using old newspaper as a
mulch in vegetable production. Shredded and
chopped newspaper was found to be the best forms
of paper to use for mulch. Slick pages of any paper
product are not recommended because some inks in
these materials may still contain heavy metals. Most
inks now used have organic soybean oil or petroleum
as a base. Recycling old newspapers into a mulch
material, rather than dumping it in landfills is an
environmentally friendly practice.
If the suggestions in this fact sheet are followed,
newspaper mulch should provide adequate weed
control, improve plant growth, improve fruit cleanliness,
improve color and shape, increase yields, and
help conserve soil moisture.
Where Chopped and Shredded Newspaper
Can be Used as a Mulch
Use newspaper mulch on crops not being grown
for early production. Newspaper mulch will work well
on any crop growing over 5 inches in height.
Sources of Chopped and Shredded
Newspaper Mulch
Chopped newspaper is available in small bales in
Grant, Preston, and Randolph counties and in large
bales in Greenbrier County. Currently, shredded
newspaper is available only in Monongalia County.
Some county solid waste authorities are considering
the processing and marketing of chopped newspaper.
It is anticipated that the increased use of old
newspapers for livestock bedding and poultry litter
will result in more newspaper processing facilities
being put into operation at recycling centers and
landfills. These facilities would have the capability of
chopping or shredding and packaging newspaper for
various agricultural uses.
Various size small engine- or tractor PTO-driven
paper chopper/mulchers are available. But it seems
more practical for home gardeners to buy chopped or
shredded packaged newspaper mulch.
Future Seasons
At present, recommendations follow two approaches.
One method is to till or disk the mulch
under in the fall to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Plant
annual rye as a cover crop. This allows the mulch to
decay during the winter.
The second method is not to disturb the mulch.
Early the next spring, move the mulch back 12 inches
per row to allow room for planting and for the soil
temperature to rise to the desired level. Once the
plants are at the desired height and the soil temperature
is adequate, apply the correct amount of mulch
to have 4 or 5 inches around the plants.
Advantages of Using Newspaper Mulch
. Controls weeds
. Keeps fruit cleaner
. Improves color
. Adds organic matter
. Provides good yields
. Utilizes a recyclable material
. Retains moisture
. Provides cooler soils for desired crops
. Is biodegradable
Disease Control
Some results show that there will be fewer disease
problems with the use of mulch. The splashing
effect of rain drops, which may carry disease organisms
onto the plants, is eliminated. However, you
must control diseases by preventive sprays. Use only
approved fungicides on a strict schedule.
Insect Control
Check your vegetables regularly for insect problems.
Use approved insecticides only when the
insects are present in large enough numbers to
cause problems. Read the label and apply only at the
recommended rate according to current label directions.
Recycling
Extension encourages recycling old newspaper
and other materials for alternative uses rather than
dumping them in landfills.
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension
Service are available to all persons without regard to race,
color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or
national origin.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June
30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Charles Morris, Interim Director, Cooperative Extension Service,
West Virginia University.
!
Environmental
Management
Education
EME
Extension Paper Mulch Study Group
John Baniecki, Tom Basden, Mary Beth Bennett, Steve
Bonanno, Ed Collins, Dave Davis, Ron Helmondollar,
Edgar Hooper, Peter Jensen, John Jett, Mike Kubina,
John McCutcheon, Dale Monks, Suzanne Poland,
Juanita Popenoe, Edsel Redden, Ancil Schmidt,
John Scott Jr., Howard Scott, Art Selders, Ed Smolder,
Rodney Wallbrown, Craig Yohn.
This publication resulted from research partially
funded by the following: County Solid Waste
Authorities in Mason, Mercer, Pleasants, Putnam,
Taylor, and Wood counties; Governor's Office; W. Va.
Department of Agriculture; Division of Natural
Resources; Development Office - Energy Efficiency
Program; Mountain Resource Conservation &
Development Area; Document Management
Services; W. Va. Press Association. 4/95
Barbara Harrick
Senior Technical Editor/Writer
International Launch Services
1875 Explorer Street, Suite 700
Reston, VA 20190
office (571) 633-7430
fax (571) 633-7536
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[NAFEX] Newspaper as mulch,
Harrick, Barbara, 03/23/2009