I have had pretty good success using sheet mulching especially in cases where weeds have become a serious problem, such as in untended, neglected, or abandoned landscaping we're trying to work with and improve. It's a good way to fully smother out crops of weeds, sometimes before they can even emerge above the soil. I've had pretty good luck with both cardboard and a few sheets of butcher paper. Doing this for a growing season or two will usually have pretty reliable results, allowing you to get rid of a weed problem while cultivating the plants you do want in your garden.
Layering sheet mulch over a garden plot proved effective for both improving soil structure and reducing weed growth without chemical intervention. The process began with flattening existing vegetation, then laying down overlapping sheets of plain cardboard as a biodegradable weed barrier. On top of that, a mix of compost, shredded leaves, and grass clippings created a nutrient-rich layer that encouraged microbial activity. A final topping of wood chips helped retain moisture and protect the underlying layers from erosion. Within a single growing season, the soil beneath became darker, looser, and more teeming with earthworms, indicating a rise in organic matter and biological activity. Weed emergence dropped significantly, and the few that did appear were shallow-rooted and easy to remove. Over time, the method not only suppressed unwanted growth but also built a healthier foundation for planting without the need for repeated tilling.