Alternatives to weed mat- newspapers, but also, tarp, old sheets?

Question

The tarp and sheets worked from March to June to prevent most weed growth as compared with rest of area in question-

Can they help curb growth that already exists?

Do I just need to put newspaper UNDER the sheets for now?

This is a temporary preventative measure, not a long-term solution. The area is about the size of a small master bedroom, and is shady, between two trees, grubby to the point that no grass grows, rocky, and half covered so far with pieces of movable slate.

So, the idea is just to throw somethign effective down, kill what's there if we can get away with not having to hurt our wrists digging any further, and deal with it in the next few months to a year.

Thanks for all your alternative weed mat ideas!

Answer 1

I only use newspaper. I have the paper delivered daily and see no point in spending a buch of money on the rolls of weed sheets. I lay about layers of unfolded paper down with the edges over lapping and them mulch on top.

If you just want to do something to kill the weeds, take a tarp and put down. Place rocks on top of it to hold it down. And leave it there for a few weeks. The weeds should die. It will be slow but it works.If you water your yard, adjust the sprinkler to where it does not water that area. The trees should be find with out watering them. If you have to water them, build a mulch ring around them and water inside of that ring. Don't let any water get under the tarp.