Tractor Supply carries compressed straw in the feed area. Its kind of chopped already. Straw is preferable for gardens and grass planting cover because it usually does not have weed seeds in it.

If building a new garden bed, I would highly recommend covering it in the weed block material. Water will go right through, moisture will be retained better, and weeds won't get through. Weeding will be your #1 chore without it.

Have a closeby water source. If the weather gets dry in mid-summer, you'll be watering daily.