I often do that with the newspapers--& when you say a few layers, think really thick, like a whole section--then I put grass clippings over them for a mulch. By next year it will have broken down & improved your soil. Good luck.

I often do that with the newspapers--& when you say a few layers, think really thick, like a whole section--then I put grass clippings over them for a mulch. By next year it will have broken down & improved your soil. Good luck. BTW, the easiest way to get the newspapers down is to put the dry papers into a garden cart or wheelbarrow & fill the thing with water. You want the papers to be wet when you put them down.

Thanks Pattyokie - knew the papers should be wet just wasn't sure how to do it, I have been putting off doing this for awhile because looking at the gardens made me feel so overwhelmed & guilty but itt is time to bite the bullet & get it done

In some 40 years of putting newspaper down to help extend the mulches I have not found it necessary to wet them first. I did one time and found the paper would tear very easily and was more trouble to place then dry paper was.

We lay the paper, water it with a hose and then apply mulch over that. Haven't had a problem doing it that way.