One year we put newspaper around all the tomato plants then covered them with a think layer of straw. That did not work either. It would dry up after it rained, and the wind would blow it all away. I took photos so we can determine a plan for this next year. With good weather, I'd normally be out there almost daily for weed control.
The rain cometh again today. It appears we'll get a downpour about mid-day. It's a good time to plan our 16 year-old's "sweet sixteen" birthday party. It's a bit later than her birthday, but will happen no less.
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I plant both in raised beds, in a field garden, and the "upper garden" (formerly known as the pumpkin patch). I always notice there are a lot fewer weeds in the raised beds but I'm sure that's because I plant them so intensively. I have to keep on them pretty frequently until the seeds planted start to grow, then the plants themselves shade out most all weeds. But there are certain things that aren't suited to the raised beds . . . like bush beans, corn, pickling cukes, shell peas, potatoes, squash, etc. So those have to go in the field garden with wider paths between the rows. But I mulch with grass clippings pretty heavily and that really helps with the weeds. So does having normal rainfall!
newspapers and straw just don't do it here, not with the wind and rain.
I don't know what I'd do if I had to give up coffee. I've already given up the sugar in it...;)