[devon]

I am going to the allotment to tidy the fruit cage and I was thinking about laying some bought bark chippings to supress the weeds. Is this a good idea?

[GrowinGrowinGone]

Providing you don't mix it into the soil, should not be any problems.  If you do mix it into the soil, it will rob the nitrogen from your soil.

[Christine]

Remember that raspberries are a thirsty crop so mulching may stop the weeds but cause watering problems.

[Yorkie]

Remember that raspberries are a thirsty crop so mulching may stop the weeds but cause watering problems.

I was always taught that if you mulch when the soil is moist, then it reduces the risk of watering problems, but I suppose you do still need to keep an eye on it.

[Trillium]

That's right, Yorkie. Mulch does slow down evaporation of the ground water/moisture but it doesn't ensure it stays that way during dry times. If in doubt, pull back a bit of mulch and stick your finger into the soil. If it's damp, then things are fine.