As fall comes to an end and the last leaves are finally cleared from the yard, most homeowners breathe a sigh of relief—only to be hit with an all-too-familiar frustration: weeds. The moment the blanket of leaves disappears, weed seeds seem to spring to life, popping up everywhere and undoing hours of hard work.

For years, I struggled with this exact problem—until my nana, who has tended gardens for decades, showed me a trick so simple I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been using it all along. It takes only two minutes, costs almost nothing, and stops weeds before they ever get the chance to appear.

Here’s how her clever method works.

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1. Why Leaf Cleanup Can Trigger a Weed Explosion

Raking and removing leaves exposes bare soil to sunlight and moisture, two things that weed seeds absolutely love. As soon as the ground is uncovered, dormant seeds use the perfect conditions to germinate. Within days, new weeds start creeping in, competing with your grass and garden beds.

Preventing that early germination window is the key to a clean yard.

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2. Nana’s Simple, Shockingly Effective Hack

Nana’s solution is based on a straightforward principle:
Block the light = stop the weeds.

With nothing more than newspaper or cardboard and a layer of mulch, you create a biodegradable light-blocking shield that keeps weed seeds from sprouting in the first place.

No chemicals. No back-breaking weeding. No expensive products.

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3. What You’ll Need

• Newspaper or cardboard

• Mulch (wood chips, bark, or similar)

• Garden hose

Chances are, you already have everything at home.

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4. How to Do It (Takes Only 2 Minutes)

1. After leaf cleanup, lay down sheets of newspaper or cardboard over the exposed soil. Overlap edges to ensure full coverage.

2. Add mulch on top—about 2–3 inches is ideal.

3. Lightly water the area so everything settles and stays in place.

That’s it. You’re done.

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5. Why This Trick Works Every Time

The two layers perform different jobs:

• Newspaper/Cardboard: Blocks sunlight completely, suffocating any weed seeds.

• Mulch: Provides extra darkness, holds moisture, and slowly enriches the soil as it breaks down.

The combination creates an environment where weeds simply can’t germinate.

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6. The Benefits Go Beyond Weed Control

• 100% chemical-free

• Safe for pets, kids, and pollinators

• Inexpensive

• Improves soil structure over time

• Reduces yard maintenance in spring

It’s a rare gardening hack that’s both eco-friendly and incredibly effective.

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7. How It Compares to Traditional Weed Control

Chemical herbicides can work—but they also risk harming nearby plants, beneficial insects, and the environment. Manual weeding is safe, but tedious and time-consuming.

Nana’s trick is the perfect middle ground: fast, safe, and surprisingly long-lasting.

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8. Real People Who Tried It Swear By It

Gardeners who adopted this method report:

• Nearly weed-free beds in spring

• Healthier soil

• Less time spent pulling weeds

• Better-looking lawns and gardens overall

One homeowner even said the method “cut my spring weeding time in half.”

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9. Expert Insight

Sustainable gardening experts have long recommended mulch as a natural weed suppressant. When paired with a biodegradable light barrier like newspaper, the effect becomes dramatically more powerful.

It’s simple science—and it works.