Newspapers Make a Good Mulch

Old newspapers create a problem when they fill up landfills and clutter basements and garages. But there is a good use for old newspapers that helps bring about a more productive, weed-free garden.

A mulch of shredded newspapers conserves moisture, moderates temperatures and discourages weed growth. It can also shelter seedlings from sun, wind and rain on exposed soil. The paper generally decomposes gradually into soil-enriching humus by the end of the season.

Newspaper strips mixed with grass clippings soak up excess moisture to encourage an airy, open texture in compost piles. The high-carbon newsprint rots readily in combination with the high-nitrogen clippings, and household waste such as fruit and vegetable peelings, egg shells, coffee grounds and tea leaves.

Newspapers generally contain 75% ground wood pulp and 25% purified fiber or cellulose. Wood pulp contains the nutrients and trace elements that were in the trees originally. Newsprint ink is made from carbon black and mineral oil and is not harmful to plants or microbial soil life.

Newspapers are said to be rich in carbohydrate energy and have been successfully fed to cattle by agricultural researchers at several university experiment stations.

But researchers advise against using color newspaper inserts and magazines in gardens.

Newspaper shredders are available. One that reportedly quickly slices newspapers--up to 12 thicknesses at once--into half-inch ribbons features self-sharpening circular blades. For information, write The Kinsman Co., River Road, Point Pleasant, Pa. 18950.