But you can avoid the problem completely by making beds narrow enough to work from the sides. Soil organic matter content can be increased greatly without getting bogged down due to better drainage. If burrowing rodents are abundant, line the bottom of the bed with poultry wire or hardware cloth. Discourage rabbits by placing their favorite foods in a framed bed with a low fence. The narrow dimensions of beds even make it practical to suspend bird netting on flexible conduit frames.
Weed control is easy with plastic mulch, too.
One roll can span the width of the bed. Water Conservation Several watering systems can ensure the water gets only where it's needed. They also reduce disease by directing water to the soil instead of wetting leaf surfaces as overhead irrigation does.