Using wood chips as mulch worked wonders. The picture below was taken just before adding a third layer of wood chips, the picture above was taken after. This is a major component to how we solved our dwarf transplant problems. Wood chips are great for storing and absorbing based on its site specific conditions.

The wood chips did a great job at suppressing weeds and holding in moisture. 

Reminder of what the beds looked like during construction. 

Just after transplanting but before adding wood chips. At this time we were watering more often and weeding more as well.