“How does newspaper keep the deer out?”
It has nothing to do with the deer. It’s a weed blocker that’s cheaper to use than landsacpe material.
Check out “HOW TO HAVE A GREEN THUMB WITHOUT AN ACHING BACK,” by Ruth Stout. An oldie but goodie. She used newspaper covered with straw. Same idea. You can plant through it and as it decomposes you just add more straw. She was in her 80’s and developed this idea so she could keep gardening. I’ve tried it and it will keep down the weeds and enrich the soil.