Plants need to dry out. I WILL mulch, mulch, mulch. A nice thick layer of shredded leaves, dried grass clippings or straw around your plants will hold moisture longer, will keep your plants' roots nice and cool and prevent weeds. It will then be able to grow deep roots that crowd out weeds naturally. Grass clippings are 10 percent nitrogen.
Lawns eat nitrogen.
Use a mulching mower and the pulverized clippings will supply most of the food your lawn needs. Most are beneficials that eat pests or pollinate plants. If you identify a TRUE pest, spray some non-toxic insecticidal soap on it. They are probably there to help. Don't lose sight of WHY we love to grow things.