Try this simple trick for how to keep weeds out of flower beds – not only is it SO easy, but it's inexpensive too. Find out how here!
Are you getting Spring fever and ready to mulching your flower beds? Here's an easy trick for how to keep weeds out of flower beds and it likely won't cost you a penny.
Before mulching, go ahead and remove weeds that are in your flowerbed by weeding by hand. Then you'll want to lay down leftover newspaper over any open space areas where you want to keep your flower beds weed free.
Thanks to all of you who had great suggestions with alternatives to chemicals to get rid of weeds.  Try out this way to kill off weeds using vinegar – I've tried it before and it hasn't worked for me, but I'm all for trying again. I'll see if I can find any other homemade weed killer recipes, and update you all on how they go!
Cover the layer of newspaper with a layer of mulch.
Because this was a new bed for us we didn't have any existing bushes to plant around, but if you do have bushes already there just adjust the newspaper around your plants.
It will naturally keep weeds out, and is biodegradable too. The organic matter helps to amend your soil if your soil conditions aren't great as well, which is an added (free!) bonus in addition to preventing weeds. You don't have to do an extremely thick layer either – one single sheet should be fine.
We've used this weed barrier landscape fabric before and it works incredibly well (and doesn't have to be replaced for years), but newspaper will do basically the same thing – you'll just need to add more newspaper to your bed each time you mulch to keep the weeds at bay.
With a little newspaper you'll have free weed protection for your flower beds, and hopefully skip weeding during the summer months.
If you have any other tips on how to keep weeds out of flower beds, I'd love to hear your suggestions!