When we started our garden in 2015, all we had was a meadow, full with grasses. We did not have any materials, means of bulk transport or spare money. So we relied on an old technique - dig the paths and pile the soil as a simple raised bed.
Pathways are mulched with woodchips. Some of the beds look better then others, because some were hoed after piling the lumps of soil, heavy clay. My man 
We did not had water in that season so watering was done with buckets brought from next door house. Our 3 year old boy enjoys playing with water - as any child does! He helped water the beds with his toys.