I have a front yard that is about 440 sq.ft.. For timing considerations, I want to keep it totally bare; no grass, no weeds, no nothing. After rain, heavy or not, in a couple of weeks, it’s covered with low ground-hugging weeds. Not conducive to a weed whacker as it tears up more dirt than weeds; hence a knee bending hand clearing. I do not want to sterilize the ground (salt treatment) but I do need to find something to keep the weeds away. A neighbor told me to cover it with redwood bark stuff to 1"-2" deep; it would keep the sunlight away and, hence, no weeds. Is there anything I can apply to the ground to keep it clear for 6 months or so (chemical or pellets or something)? I’m no gardener by any means so I’m wondering what the experts think about keeping this ground bare (of anything). Thanks, in advance, for any thoughts.