You could leave gates but remove about the first 3 layers around the front and use those resources to put plant x outside the gates. If someone came up right now they could get right to your gate and when they blow those up the splash damage would destroy those first few layers of plant x. Also put some towers out front with plant x on them.
I've never played prim+ pvp, so i'm not even sure what raiding tactics or how to defend tbh. This is my first attempt and I havent been raided yet*. 3 weeks strong lol
I don't think you should get rid of them in the traditional sense. You have a lot of extra space there, buddy. Personally, I think it's time for you to expand.