We have used black plastic between the rows in the veggie garden with bricks to hold it in place, and
shredded newspaper (black and white print only) around tomatoes. The tomatoes are in self-made
wire cages so the newspaper stays in place.
For flower beds, we use Preen, and also hand pull or dig out the stubborn weeds. Early spring, such as
now, is more labor intensive. The first is the worst. About to be overwhelmed with it since spring
arrived earlier, and the weeds are getting ahead of us.