Newspaper – Using to Kill Weeds

Q: I am thinking of mulching a large weedy area behind my house. Can I use old newspaper instead of black plastic sheeting under the mulch to prevent weed growth?

A: I’d spray with Roundup, wait until all of the weeds are dead, then mow real low and put down newspaper ten sheets thick. Newspaper is better than plastic in my view – it allows the soil to breathe and it allows moisture to soak through.