Just planted veg. seeds: need advice re: newspaper mulch? or other?

[Annie N]

I just planted a bunch of seeds in my new garden bed, and when I watered them, some of the ones big enough to see showed up :o So I want to cover the bed with a layer of only one or two sheets of newspaper to help protect the seeds/seedlings as the grow. I saw someone do this a couple of years ago, but I am not sure if I did it right, or if, for example, I should have put the newspaper down first and then planted through it, making little holes in it... Anyway, please help with any advice!!!!

[brehon]

I'm not sure if this will answer your question or not, but here goes...dh and I wait until the seedlings have a bit of growth (maybe a couple of inches? helpful, isn't it :rolleyes:) and then we use mulch we've made from cedar trees ("Death to cedars" being the official central Texas motto). We put a couple of inches or so in the beds at that point [obviously not putting the mulch on top of the wee plants]. I've heard of people using newspaper, but only as part of a weed killing program. Hopefully, this helps a least a little bit.

[Claire]

Newspapers need to be anchored or they will blow away. Also, if you did this (you would want to use only one sheet of newspaper!), you would have to check underneath every day. Once the seed puts out leaves, it needs sunlight to grow. If you don't remove the newspaper on time you will have stunted seedlings and possibly damping-off disease.

It sounds to me as if you (1) didn't plant the seeds deeply enough, (2) didn't tamp down the dirt on top of the seeds, and/or (3) were watering too heavily or with a stream of water instead of mist. In your situation, I would just sprinkle on a little more dirt, tamp it down lightly, and be careful to water slowly.

[Doran]

Newspapers need to be anchored or they will blow away. Also, if you did this (you would want to use only one sheet of newspaper!), you would have to check underneath every day. Once the seed puts out leaves, it needs sunlight to grow. If you don't remove the newspaper on time you will have stunted seedlings and possibly damping-off disease.

It sounds to me as if you (1) didn't plant the seeds deeply enough, (2) didn't tamp down the dirt on top of the weeds, and/or (3) were watering too heavily or with a stream of water instead of mist. In your situation, I would just sprinkle on a little more dirt, tamp it down lightly, and be careful to water slowly.


I totally agree with Claire. Mulching now will keep the ground warmer and protect the soil from erosion a bit, but it will also create a new level of management for you. What did you plant? Where do you live?

Doran