Spring mulching is just around the corner, and so is the start of weed season. Cut down on garden maintenance this summer by spreading 5 to 10 layers of wet newspaper on open areas between plants, then covering them with two to three inches of your favorite mulch. Results are best if you overlap the edges of the paper about three inches on all sides. To be sure the soil is warm enough (mulching too early in the season keeps the soil cold and stunts the growth of plants), wait until perennials are showing several inches of growth.