heavy duty weed fabric

We use Eucalyptus leaf mulch. It looks very nice, smells delightful and discourages all the weeds. I just have to keep it out of the planting beds.

I have both lumbered raised beds and 3 berms which are raised beds without any lumber or borders. I just lay down a thick layer of straw between all of them. Keeps the weeds down and prevents muddy shoes.
quiltbea

I have a pile of shingles leftover from a roofing project. I put these down between the beds and right up to the lumber raised edge to help keep the weeds out. It works fine, and gives a nice walking path. However, dirt and leaves blow in and this year grasses are sprouting ON TOP of the shingles, in the shallow layer of dirt. My fenced edge is next to the lawn. Shingles help beat back the grass on that side. Last week I added another layer of shingles because the grass is pesky, sending runners over the top. The shingles make it easier to whack back the grass now and then.

Shingles work for me. I might have to buy another pack in a year or so...

wildrose

I used heavy fabric and mulch for a few years and wisened up last year. I have an area that's approximatel 20 x 60 with 8 raised beds, a berm area and 3 cattle fence trellis'. I got tired of weeding and last year we laid outdoor carpeting. No weeds, the snakes don't like going across it and it held up just fine over winter. It's the only way I will do this in the future.