[ldavison10]

I read yesterday that a 6 sheet thick layer of newspaper will act the same as a mulch sheet. Is this true? Anyone had experience in it? Thing is i want to start my front garden pretty much from scratch. Ive got the bark already but the mulch sheet im finding is very expensive. Is it possible to use just a polythene sheet, a groundsheet like for camping, or something similar?

Thanks

Lee

[richyrich7]

I use newspaper as mulch lasts about a year    I just get whole newspapers open them out at the centre dunk in a barrel of water for about 30 sec's then lay it down next paper overlaps 1st by a couple of inches and so on.
A polythene sheet wont let the water through thats the only downside I can think of apart that it will go brittle after a while if the sunlight gets to it.

[woodburner]

It depends how permanent you want the mulch to be, although even with a non biodegradable membrane, the bark will eventually break down and provide compost for seeds to germinate and grow in.
Newspaper or cardboard will last long enough to kill off the vast majority of weeds.