If you're working in a muddy garden and you know you'll need to go in and out of your house, keep a couple of grocery sacks inside the door. As you come into the house put your feet into the bags. You'll save time by not removing shoes and still keep your floors clean. Weight down with hay, grass or manure. By next spring, the paper will be decomposed.
Herbs are nature's insecticides.
Be sure to include a variety of them in your garden. Make an effective and natural insecticide by adding onions and garlic to a jar of water. Let it stand for a week and then spray your plants. Plant basil near tomatoes, as it will repel worms and flies. To protect cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and brussell sprouts from the cabbage moth, use mint, sage, dill and thyme.