The Economic Times

Lay newspaper 23 layers thick around garden plants, then cover it with several inches of straw or compost; the paper blocks light while the top layer holds it down

Using newspaper as mulch provides a sustainable and cost-effective way to control weeds in gardens. This method involves layering newspaper with materials like straw or compost to effectively block weed seeds from germinating. While it's great for new vegetable gardens, caution is needed with established plants as the mulch can hinder their growth.