People use wood mulch successfully but you have to understand how it works with the soil. Some people even pile limbs and tree trunks up, throw soil on top of the pile, and then plant into the wood/soil pile. But, they have a pretty good understanding about how it works. Pieces of wood can be difficult for garden soil to decompose. It also depends on the size of the wood pieces...shredded, chipped, ???. If buying bags of "recycled" shredded/chipped wood be aware that some of that would is recycled from buildings...houses, businesses, sheds, whatever and may contain wood-preservatives, glue, paint, etc.,. Read the labels for sources. If the bag doesn't list a source then skip it. If you're getting chipped or shredded wood from a tree service or creating your own (best) then it should be ok.
Wood mulch will eventually end up down in the soil after a period of time. If by no other means then by...gravity, it's the law.
Tilling in wood later can (but doesn't necessarily) cause problems. If the wood mulch pieces are of small sizes and you keep your soil fertilized well...not overloaded with fertilizer but what the plants need, then you probably won't have any major issues.
I wish I could tell you yes or no, but I'll give you a firm "maybe" on whether the wood mulch will work for you. Definitely do a web search for "Carbon Nitrogen Ratio", "C:N Ratio", etc.,. Most of the time people use this ratio in dealing with building compost piles, but it also matters with your garden soil.
Whatever the case, *do* get a garden going. Even if it doesn't do well the first year it is a *start*!!!!
It is a lifelong learning experience and a very good form of...therapy. Just something about working the soil and seeing what springs to life from it!!! There will be problems and failures and there will be successes!!! Learn from both!
One last thing...your location. It wouldn't hurt anything to share your region/area location, even a more precise location within 50 miles or so. This will help people understand your environment and give you better advice on things.
Now, get out there and play in the dirt!!!! (The kid in us still wants to play in the dirt...gardening is our cover-story for being able to do that!
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Best wishes!
Ed
