Most paper can only be recycled about eight times before the paper fibers get too short to be repurposed. However, there are ways to reduce paper waste and keep junk mail and other old papers out of ...

Many years ago early in my agriculture/gardening career, I discovered a book written by a woman who developed a novel way of gardening. Ruth Stout’s gardening technique involved applying layers of ...

I know this is a silly question, probably the strangest you’ve ever gotten, but I’m curious. Where I live, there isn’t a place nearby to recycle paper. I reuse most of my paper as scratch paper and ...

Q: I work in an office that produces a lot of shredded paper. Is it safe to use it as a mulch or in a compost pile? A: First, a word of caution: Be sure that your employer permits removal of the ...

Woman adding mulch to a small flowerbed - Victor Vilchis/Getty Images If you're looking for an easy way to upcycle scrap cardboard and save a little money, while spending more time in the garden, you ...

A reader wonders whether there's use in the garden for his shredded paper. Another is puzzled by the poor performance of all his root crops. CS: It sounds like your shredded paper is office paper ...

Plain shredded paper is a safe and budget-friendly material when used correctly. Apply in thin layers and top with natural mulch to prevent matting. Shredded paper can also be used in your compost bin ...

Through the years, I’ve used a lot of different kinds of mulch, ranging from natural materials such as straw or grass to man-made materials such as plastic sheeting. The plastic I’ve tried has been in ...