This month's tip is from Trina Nowicki of LP Ciminelli, Inc., September's Green Tip submission winner.

Trina wrote: Putting down newspapers in flower beds or vegetable gardens before putting down dirt or mulch helps to keep the weeds down, as well as recycles old papers, and helps to prevent the need of weed-pulling or weed-inhibitors (either chemical or organic).

Trina's right, this is a great recycling option for gardeners. Newspapers are biodegradable just like mulch, they help prevent weeds and the need for chemical weed killers, and you're still keeping newspapers out of landfills. In addition, newspapers will help to maintain soil temperature around plants and will retain water to help reduce the need for watering. The best part is using your old newspapers is absolutely free!

Check these links to learn more about how to recycle newspapers in your garden:
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/chicago_gardener/2007/07/using-newspaper.html  
http://www.ehow.com/how_4503255_use-recycled-newspapers-garden.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/602171/how_to_recycle_newspapers_for_a_weed.html?cat=32

Congratulations Trina and thank you to everyone who submitted their green tip!