I used the wood mulch that is free from the county here. It seemed that once the mulch was settled (or watered) it didn't move much. After a few especially windy storms, I have noticed that the some of the top layer moved around, but it didn't really go anywhere.

We don't get much rain, but we did have 2 good storms last summer and the mulch stayed put.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tales of a Transplanted Gardener

I threw some hay down. Got it real cheap off of craigslist (someone's hay from last year that wasn't good for feed anymore).

We'll see if it works long term, but for now it definitely has stopped the "muddiness" between the beds, and hasn't moved / blown around.

I put down cardboard, then cover with redwood shavings I buy cheap from a local dealer.
Nice and soft on the knees and suppresses weeds.

Deanna (who's been lurking and reading...)

if u r like me ,pushing a wheelbarrell betwwen boxes,check with town or county they usually give away their mulch for free my town will even load it if u r there at the right time.ive even slipped the loader driver a few bucks for his troubles.

I lay down a good layer of newspapers (about 16 sheets) and overlapped at the edges, and then put wood mulch (or dried weeds, or other fairly dry mulch) down.

I've found over the years that if I just put down loose mulch the tougher weeds that send out tendrils still come up through my mulch and try to invade the garden beds. The ground ivy, common mallow, and this certain awful weed grass (name unknown) can survive a long time under everything.

I use strips of old carpet as well on some of the other areas of the garden. I really don't notice the carpet, except that it's nice to walk on and gets you off the mud. I flip it over every once in a while because the ground ivy and grasses try to colonize there as well.

I've got layers of cardboard covered w/ straw. In the fall I'm going to put down a cover crop of clover and keep it there, I'm hoping the root mass will help w/ drainage.

If it's perennial clover, then just be prepared to defend your garden beds from the spreading roots. I planted clover in the paths a few years ago and let things get too out of control (I love clover, and I planted palestine strawberry clover--too pretty to want to destroy!) Clover ended up growing in the garden beds as well. Finally I ended up ripping it all out and covering all the paths over to try to smother everything.

Once all my beds are in control again then I might try the clover paths again. I think it's important though to be merciless to the spreading roots that get too close to the garden beds.

Thanks for the suggestions. Not sure if our county gives away mulch, but I guess I'll start trying to find out by calling the local extension agent.

Clover in my flowerbeds has been driving me NUTS this year. I have pulled and pulled until I'm blue in the face, and a week later there it is again. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them?

Rachel

Here is a link that might be useful: LookMaNoWeeds

If you have a use for a lot of mulch, you might also try calling your power company to see if they're trimming trees in your area anytime soon. Warning though, it might be a BIG pile of mulch (like the one beside my driveway) and it could be any type of wood.