Should Newspaper That Was Used As Weed Barrier Be Tilled

Question From: K. Reynolds - Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Q: Will I be able to plant the next year ( till paper under or??) will I need to repeat each year of planting?

A: The newspaper will decompose and earthworms will eat it. If you mulch over it with 3 inches of shredded leaves, you can move the mulch away and plant. Top off the mulch every fall. Your soil will become better and better every year. Weeds that sprout in the mulch are easily pulled when they are young. Tilling is hard on the structure of the soil and brings up weed seeds. If you till you will need to repeat the process every year. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy