Bare Earth is like flesh without it's protective skin. Weeds are generally pioneer species that don't mind damaged & exposed soil.
I use wood chips to cover the soil in my vegetable garden. I'm in the sub tropics so they mostly break down within 18 months. In your climate (and of you like to dig over your garden bed each season), you're better off using a thick layer of hay or straw.
You'll still get weeds but not that many.
This is my bed now in winter. No real weeding but it does need a little love & attention, nottice no bare earth?
