A good hoe is still the best tool for ridding your yard of weeds, says Celeste Gilbertie, manager of Gilbertie's Herb Gardens in Westport, Connecticut. But, laying a 2-3 inch layer of wood mulch (available in garden stores) around plants can help prevent weeds from cropping up in the first place. Other recommended mulching material includes soft hay and even grass clippings from your yard. Or, you can buy "landscape fabric" and lay it around plants. The porous fabric - a thin, brown or black weave is relatively inexpensive and it lets water in but keeps weeds out. For best results, lay the fabric around plants and cover with wood mulch.