Effective Mulching Over Fallen Leaves: Landscape Fabric vs. Newspaper

A gardener asks about mulching over fallen leaves for weed control. Success depends on two factors: the right material and sufficient thickness.

Why Weeds Persist

Weed seeds need light to germinate. Annual mulching that disturbs soil gives seeds the light they need. Seeds can lie dormant for thousands of years.

Best Weed Barrier Strategy

1. Landscape fabric (woven, permeable) blocks all upward growth. Cover with 2–3 inches of cedar mulch for weight and appearance.
2. Newspaper alternative: 6–10 layers of black‑and‑white newsprint (no glossy/colored sections) under mulch. Effective and inexpensive.

Cedar Mulch Properties

Cedar's durability comes from terpenes (e.g., thujaplicin) that are antimicrobial and deter insects (chinch bugs, ants, fleas, termites). Ensure you're buying true cedar (Thuja plicata), not "red cedar" (juniper).

Leaf Management

Compost or shred fallen leaves for use around perennials — they're too valuable to waste.

— The Long Island Gardener