How to Keep Weeds Out of Raised Beds for a Healthier, Tidier Garden Weeds are easier to prevent than they seem. Close Credit: Getty Images Nearly impossible to get rid of and unsightly to look at, weeds are every gardener's worst enemy. One way to minimize their appearance is to grow your plants in raised beds, rather than in the ground. But even when your garden beds are lifted, weed seeds still find a way to germinate. To get rid of these pesky plants once and for all, we asked gardening experts to share their best tips for keeping weeds out of raised beds. Kelly Funk, president of Jackson & Perkins, a full-service nursery offering flowers, trees, shrubs, ground covers, bulbs, and more Ankit K Singh, assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension 6 Reasons Why Landscape Fabric Is Such a Bad Idea—and What to Use Instead 01 of 09 Lay Down Mulch Mulch physically prevents weeds from sprouting, whether you use organic mulch like straw or synthetic mulch like rubber, says Ankit K Singh, assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. He recommends applying 2 to 4 inches of mulch over raised beds, keeping it pulled slightly back from plant stems to avoid root rot. The Best Time to Mulch You Garden—and When You Shouldn't, According to Experts 02 of 09 Avoid Tilling Tilling disturbs the soil, bringing buried weed seeds to the surface, where they can germinate. "By not tilling, you avoid disturbing dormant weed seeds," says Kelly Funk, President & CEO Jackson & Perkins. "Instead, use a no-dig or minimal-dig approach to preserve the natural soil structure and suppress weed growth." 03 of 09 Plant Densely Close plantings create a living mulch, shading the soil and starving the weeds of sunlight. "When plants grow close together, they outcompete weeds for space, water, and nutrients, leaving little room for weeds to sneak in," says Funk. 04 of 09 Hand-Pull Weeds You don't need special tools or equipment to keep weeds out of your garden—just use your hands! "Pulling weeds by hand (especially when they’re small) removes them before they can seed and spread," says Funk. "It’s easiest after rain when the soil is loose. Consistent weeding keeps things manageable." 05 of 09 Spray With Vinegar Spray weeds with a homemade vinegar weed killer to keep these pesky plants contained. "Household or horticultural vinegar (acetic acid) burns the foliage of young weeds," says Singh. This method is organic and effective, but be careful when spraying, as vinegar is non-selective and can kill nearby plants. 06 of 09 Cover With Cardboard Similar to landscape fabric and mulch, cardboard blocks sunlight from reaching the weeds. Another bonus? Cardboard is biodegradable, meaning it breaks down over time, improving soil health and feeding earthworms, says Singh. He recommends covering the cardboard with mulch or compost for a double layer of defense. How to Use Cardboard in the Garden to Prevent Weeds and Enrich the Soil 07 of 09 Rotate Crops Rather than growing the same plants in the same location every year, switch it up to keep weeds at bay. "Changing what you plant each season can interrupt weed life cycles," says Funk. 08 of 09 Solarize Beds Cover raised beds with clear plastic during hot months to cook weed seeds in the soil, says Singh. Just make sure you don't cover desirable plants, or you risk killing them as well. 09 of 09 Use Drip Irrigation Consider installing a drip irrigation system to water your plants more directly. "Water only where your plants are, not the whole bed, as dry soil discourages weed growth," says Singh. Explore more: Garden