Call several tree companies in your area and line up a load or two of wood chips. In most areas, companies have to dump their chips in a land fill and pay a tipping fee, which can eat into their profits. They are usually very happy to dump their chips in someone 's yard.

To facilitate this, you need to have a spot that is very easily accessible for them to back up their equipment into. If you can't be home, be sure that the location is well marked. Do not expect them to weave around to your backyard to dump in a spot convenient to you. I have loads dumped on one side of my double driveway because I don't want the trucks on the lawn.

Not only tree people but utilities. Many elec. utilities have programs to deliver free wood chips to customers. Sometimes you can get em almost instantly, other times you have to get on a waiting list, but you can always decide when the time comes whether you want them or not.

don't use cardboard and unless you like weeds I wouldn't mulch with weeds either.

Here is a link that might be useful: sheet mulch problems (PDF)

I'm a big fan of sheet mulching with cardboard so I most definitely will be. The section of my lot that I need to mulch will eventually get a layer of wood chips, but it's so far back I'll have to haul them in a wheelbarrow. Weed seeds don't scare me, my entire lot is surrounded by people who don't take care of their yards, so I already spend a good deal of time removing weeds. My main goal is to prevent erosion (we've gone from drought to monsoon over the past six months) and improve the soil long term.

How about a "green manure" cover crop instead of mulch? It will quickly stabilize your soil, and can be turned in as organic matter later.