Newspaper in the Old-Fashioned Garden

Gardeners in olden times did not have the multitude of gardening gadgets that are available today. Ground designated for planting was broken by a horse and plow, leaving large clods of dirt to be broken up by people using hoes and rakes. Manure did not come in a bag. A garden or field was fertilized by letting farm animals eat the remains of a harvested crop while leaving their droppings behind to be worked into the ground in the spring. Newspaper had multiple uses in the garden, as opposed to today's plastic products. In fact, newspaper was so valued by gardeners; it was common to see it stacked to the ceiling in corners in sheds and basements. What use did newspaper have for gardeners of yesteryear; and are modern day gardeners reverting to this use?

Use newspaper for weed control and as plant covers

I remember my father saved and used newspaper in his garden. He would lay it out flat, between planted rows to help control weeds. He also used it as a frost barrier to protect young, tender seedlings. Each seedling was covered with a five-pound coffee can, cut open on both ends. If there were any danger of frost, my father would cover each can with a sheet of newspaper at night and remove them in the morning before going to work. To prevent the newspaper from blowing away he would secure them to the cans with my mother's clothespins. Perhaps the apple does not fall far from the tree, because I still practice this form of frost protection today in my garden. I do not line my rows with newspaper, but I do use shredded newspaper as a ground cover in the winter, and rototill it under in the spring. I also mix it with mulch to spread around my shrubs and trees.

Use newspaper to protect harvested vegetables and fruit

My father would use newspaper to help tomatoes ripen and protect apples. When at the end of the growing season, with winter fast approaching, my father would pick the last of the green tomatoes. He would wrap each one in a sheet of newspaper and set them on a shelf in the basement. After a few weeks, the tomatoes would be red and ripe. Most people think tomatoes need the sun to make them turn red, but they do not. My father also protected fresh-picked apples and pears from bruising and bugs using this method. I have found it a great way to recycle newspaper, because instead of throwing it away once the fruit is unwrapped, you can shred it to use in the garden.

With people, including gardeners, cancelling their newspaper subscriptions in favor of online subscriptions, I fear the use of newspaper in the garden may disappear.

Other articles from this contributor:

Chosing the Right Gardening Glove to Use

20 Tips to Prepare Your Garden for Winter

5 Safety and Damage Prevention Tips for Rooftop Gardening

Source: Personal Experience