I have a very large garden, which means weeds. I garden organically, so to control the weeds I cut up all my paper bags and lay them out flat over the entire garden area. When I plant something new, I cut a hole in the paper where I’ll make the planting hole. After all my planting is done, I cover the bags with grass clippings. I have very few weeds. By the end of the season, the brown paper bags have gone back into the soil. I also have used newspapers (black-and-white only). They also work well.
—Mary, “Smart Gardening Tips” reader

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