I use the newspaper also and put hay over it. It all eventually decomposes and enriches the soil. I have used the fabric in flower beds and find any place there is a hole where I plant something, a green onion or some other weed will find it! The roots might be several inces away from the hole so then you have to go looking for it and in the process usually end up making the hole bigger. I think just plain old mulch put on pretty heavy works best.(posted 9008 days ago)