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With the City of Cullman indefinitely suspending recycling efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, eco-minded residents reluctant to overburden the trash can might just find a second life for at least one item that can do more than just tell you what’s happening in the world.

Yes, we’re talking about print editions of the newspaper, which have a surprisingly effective second use as great composting matter (after they’ve been thoroughly read, of course).

With spring gardening season underway — and plenty of people looking to cultivate their green thumb as DIY food enjoys a pandemic-driven renaissance — using biodegradable newsprint in the garden can pay big dividends when it’s time to pick the produce, according to North Alabama Agriplex director Rachel Dawsey.

“You’re talking about the ‘lasagna’ gardening method,” said Dawsey. “It’s actually my favorite way, because you can have an instant garden. The idea is to put down newspaper in a really thick layer — cardboard works, too — and then to put compost down right on top of that, followed by soil.

“We’ve done lasgna classes before at the Agriplex, and we’ve built lasagna gardens here. I’ve built them at home, too. You can do it for small spaces, or you can go bigger in a regular garden and set them up as more of a long-term thing. It’s pretty versatile.”