Pulling weeds is a periodic but constant chore. You're never finished, and there's no product or method you can use to stop them permanently. If there was, we'd all have/use it & there would be no weeds (and the inventor would be the richest person - ever!)

When you see something sprouting, pull it out before it becomes difficult to do so. When you are walking around, looking at your lovely yard, pull them when you see them. Don't wait until you 'have weeding to do.' That's no fun & a lot more time consuming.

Yes, I would start with a clean slate by pulling them now. This is the time of year I can see little tree sprouts hidden by foliage during summer.

A weed-wacker/trimmer should be able to help you keep the lawn from being able to climb into raised box/beds. Maybe I'm not imagining your situation correctly? Feel free to add a pic to get the most specific suggestions.

I'd just flatten down the dead grass & weeds, put a layer of compost, then a thick layer of mulch on top of that & let it sit until you are ready to start your garden- that way its less work & the organic material will break down and feed your soil/plants. But that's just what I would do, you can do whatever you'd like- pull old plant material out & compost it or incorporate it into the bed. If you have any living weeds pull those out. I'm wondering if you used hay for mulch maybe rather than straw? I always see that listed as something to watch out for because hay seeds can germinate & become weeds in your bed. Personally I use fallen pine needles from a tree in my area as mulch because its a free source and it works pretty well.

Good luck!

I would suggest that you use some weed killer, just along the outside edges of your raised beds. Find one that doesn't kill the grass. Or else, as stated, pile on the compost and mulch in the fall when you are done harvesting. This will insulate it for the winter and hopefully smother any new weeds and grass. If it doesn't seem like it will work, I would pull the bed up. Cardboard isn't necessary underneath. All you really need to do is take away the top layer of grass. Maybe pull the bed up and move it to a different spot?

Hey! I'm in Arlington and I'll be starting some raised beds this year too! We should be buddies :3 Enjoying the snow outside atm?

I would suggest pavers around the outside of the box after you've killed back the grass/weeds-how I'd like to do it and go hand pull everything currently in the box without remorse, no matter what it is, get it out. Then till up the soil really good to aerate it and pull any roots inside you find too.

JMSGARDENS.....I would appreciate it if you would stop spamming my email immediately. I am not interested in whatever you are selling and will never open an unsolicited attachment.