An approach I have found very effective is to put down cardboard or newspaper [in newspaper thickness not single sheets]and cover that with wood chips. This gives a loose surface which is easy to hoe as weeds show through and so is relatively easy to keep on top of. As the woodchips decompose just add some more. They drain well so are a good surface to walk on throughout the year although sometimes you get bits inside your sandals in the summer!
Our allotment site gets woodchips delivered from tree surgeons who are happy to get rid of them and we all help our selves. Although I have in the past made arrangements with a tree surgeon for a one off delivery at home. As they usually have to pay to dump these most firms are more than willing to help us out for free!!
Another side effect of this is that the decomposition of the woodchips is lead by fungi and so they help to spread a lot of beneficial organisms into our soil to help to keep it in good heart in the future – something which is missing with glyphosphate!