So you prepare your soil and lay down the fabric. There are special staples that push into the ground to hold it in place. Then you cut Xs in the fabric and plant your plants in the soil underneath. You top it with mulch, gravel, or whatever.
It's not too expensive, comes in big rolls. I get mine at Walmart. Price is based on how many years it will last. Super good investment.
I wonder how that would work with seeds? I suppose I'd need to let them sprout, and then lay the fabric over them, cutting holes for them as I went?
I'm going to look into it, I think. I may not want to use it EVERYwhere in the garden, but it sounds very interesting!