Can You Use Shredded Paper For Mulch?

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Being conscious of how eco-friendly you are is gaining worldwide popularity. Not only can these thoughts surround what we eat and how much energy we use, but it also surrounds paper usage and how it can be recycled. With this in mind, can you use shredded paper for mulch?

Shredded paper can be used for mulch and is a brilliant way to keep plants alive and healthy. Used papers can receive a new lease of life by being reused as plant mulch, and its content can promote health and growth. The mulch is easy to create and does not require purchasing any equipment.

We love our magazines and newspapers, or we work from home and have documents to get rid of. More life can come from the papers we use beyond recycling, which is for our benefit. Read on to learn more about how to create your mulch, what paper can be used for mulch, and why using mulch is great for your plants.

Table of Contents

Why Is Mulch from Paper Great for Plants?

Paper is great to use as mulch for your plants and vegetable gardens because its solid and durable structure can protect the soil surrounding the plants from weeds, maintain ground temperature and maintain soil moisture.

Weed reduction from the paper occurs due to its content being able to keep out sunlight, thus starving the weed and disallowing them to grow. It’s a less toxic option as using paper mulch means you don’t need to use weed killer.

Unlike other more organic mulches, paper mulch takes up to 6 weeks to decompose, meaning there is longevity in each use. It assists in the production of plantations due to its fibrous content. If you need to shorten the time of paper decomposition, keep adding water to speed up the process.

Not only can it be used directly on the ground, but it can also be used at the bottom of plant pots before adding soil. Doing this benefits the roots of the plants from becoming shocked and drying out when changing plant pots. This is due to the water regulation the paper can provide.

Overall, mulch (regardless of type) protects the soil, repels bugs that can destroy or eat the plants, water retention, and regulate temperature.

What Paper Can You Use as Mulch?

Not all types of paper can be used as mulch. Paper can come in a wide selection of varieties from colored and glossed to card and processed (processed meaning that it has been treated to allow ink from printers to sit on the paper better). Cardboard can also be used as mulch so that surplus boxes can receive a second life in your garden.

Papers unsuitable for mulching are gloss, treated, and colored. These types of paper have been heavily processed to be of quality. These treatments and dyes may contain chemicals not suitable for the environment and/or not fit for plants trying to grow.

If you do not have used documents to hand or accumulate piles of old newspapers but wish to try using paper mulch, you can purchase shredded biodegradable paper, which can be used as mulch.

If you have lots of paper to use but don’t fancy ripping it to pieces by hand, you can purchase heavy-duty paper shredders to cut the pieces into strips. However, you don’t always need to shred the paper to use as mulch, but it spreads better when shredded.

Some publishers have supported using its papers as mulch by using organic inks. A good rule of thumb is to remember that if the paper is recyclable, it’s a good place to start looking at whether it is suitable for mulch.

Paper not suitable for recycling is tissue paper, toilet paper, waxed paper, paper towels, receipts, stickers, wrapping paper (used on presents), and pizza boxes.

Which Plants Do Not Like Paper Mulch?

Not all plants like paper mulch. Some plants require specific environments and treatments to thrive at their best. Plants that might not like paper mulch are cacti/succulents and certain herbs such as rosemary and oregano.

Not all vegetation like a lot of water, and considering paper mulch is great at maintaining moisture within the ground; it can kill these types of plants.

How Do You Make Paper Mulch?

Paper mulch can be made in four easy steps.

Step One – Collect the papers you would like to use and check they are suitable for mulching.
Step two – Shred the paper by ripping it into shreds or using a paper shredder.
Step three – Soak it in water overnight. The soaking in water is optional; mulch can also be used dry.

Step four – The next day, take the mulch and place it around your plants. Leave one inch worth of space between the stems.

You can learn more about how you can make paper mulch here.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paper Mulch

There are several advantages and disadvantages of using paper mulch.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Reduction of cost in purchasing pre-made mulch.	You can’t use all types of paper.
It is better for the environment due to recycling.	It is not an attractive option.
Worms can eat it.	It could blow away in strong winds (if dry).
Birds enjoy foraging for bugs within it.	Too thick a layer can hinder plant growth.

Other uses of Shredded Paper Mulch

Shredded paper mulch can be used in more specific contexts than just for plants, vegetables, and vegetation.

Paper mulch can be used as an alternative for potatoes when ‘hilling’ them (using paper instead of soil to create a mound around them to promote growth).
They can be molded into smaller plant pots when nurturing seeds to seedlings and growth.

Makes a great thickener for your compost bin. As well as this, when mixed and then added to soil, it can also be used as a fertilizer.
It can be used as a soil substitute in areas where you do not wish to dig up too much ground.

Conclusion

Using shredded paper as mulch is a great way to promote recycling within your household. By reusing your old documents and newspapers, you can give a second life to more throwaway items and save money at the same time from not having to buy ready-made mulches.

The health and vitality of your plants and vegetables will remain with shredded paper mulch. Although paper is an inorganic material, i.e., it is not a plant itself, etc. does not hinder the growth or life of your vegetation.

Paper mulch promotes growth by being able to regulate temperature, maintain soil moistness, and reduce weed growth, making it a great addition to your garden.

Sources

Amazon

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