Simple newspaper hack can banish weeds ‘forever’

A viral gardening hack that involves using old newspapers to kill weeds and prevent them from sprouting again has been confirmed by experts as effective. The green trick involves placing layers of damp newspaper over any weed-infested area in your garden and covering it with soil.

This method starves weeds of light and nutrients without using chemicals, and the newspaper will gradually break down, creating a new layer of soil. “There’s nothing more painful than picking weeds that have been going through the floor for hours, only to have them come back in a matter of weeks,” says Evie Lane, Primrose gardening expert, who spoke to RealHomes.

She further explained, “Adding a layer of wet newspaper on top of the soil acts as a weed suppressant and prevents seeds from germinating in the soil or taking root above the soil.” There are other advantages to the method.

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Moist newspaper acts as a mulch during the winter months, helping to retain moisture in the soil, keeping it loose and preventing it from drying out too quickly. If your lawn is overgrown with weeds right now, this garden idea is worth a try, especially if you prefer to avoid nasty pesticides, the Express reports.

Weeds tend to grow quickly during the summer and it can be a perpetual task just to stay on top of them. But this simple trick could help stop them from sprouting for good, says the expert.

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