We have an unlimited source of wood chips, so I used them in the New Herb garden, as it has beds and the walkways won't be changing. In the veg gardens, I use mulch hay as the walkways change year to year. I NEVER use straw as it becomes VERY slippery when wet and is a falling hazard.

I'd never use grass as the crabgrass here is very invasive. I use edging to try to keep the lawn out of the flowerbeds. I have to keep a 3" - 4" dead zone between the lawn and edging for it to have any effect.