Agree with the newspaper/mulch weed control. It’s cheaper (save your papers or have a relative/friend/neighbor do it) and bag your leaves and/or grass clippings or hay. We spread the newspaper and hay when we’re planting. Run a soaker hose down the row right next to the plants themselves. We leave about a 2-3” square around each plant unmulched.
If you’re anywhere that it might get dry this method saves big bucks on your watering bill, too. My parents had to water their entire garden 3-4 times a week down here last summer. We were once/week. In the fall, the broken down newspapers and grass/leaves/hay will be composted in your garden to improve the soil when you turn it all under.
We use cereal boxes and pasta boxes/etc around our blueberry plants and other outdoor things that get mulched with pinestraw as weed barrier. They *can* be used in the regular garden but break down more slowly. Depending on the length of your growing season they might not be broken down entirely by the fall.
YMMV.
I think I might have to try this, I can get all the newspapers I want from a friend.