Do you have excess cardboard lying around your home? Rather than throwing it away, consider using it in your garden. Cardboard is made from wood fibers and processed into a thin, strong sheet. It ...

Sheet mulching with cardboard is the secret to fewer weeds and fuss-free plant-bed prep. Don’t ditch those cardboard boxes; instead, put them to use in your garden, smothering out weeds ...

However, use caution with glossy and highly-colored cardboard, which may contain contaminants that aren’t safe for food gardens. How long does cardboard take to decompose in the garden?

You can put layers of newspaper, cardboard, plastic, or landscaping fabric under your mulch to improve weed suppression. The mulch you use can also depend upon the kind of garden you have.

Fresh Cuttings: Gardening tips, workshops and shopping Mark your calendars for these upcoming home & garden events. Straw and cardboard being used for sheet mulching. (Shutterstock) ...

While cardboard can enhance your garden, there are some things to keep in mind. Don't use too much: Avoid using excessively thick layers of cardboard around established plants, Steil says.

Don’t ditch those cardboard boxes; instead, put them to use in your garden, smothering out weeds, creating perfectly prepared soil, and composting in the process. “Using cardboard is a ...