[wilbzfishing]

I have has an on going battle with couch grass in my raspberries for some time,  but it always come back.  If I put bark down will it restrict the growth of the new raspberry shoots or will they be ok

[Totty]

It probably won't restrict the growth of either the couch or the raspberryy to be honest.

Totty

[wilbzfishing]

I was hoping it would just slow it down a bit and make it look a bit better, I use all sorts at the moment  fallen leaves, rhubarb leaves, but there is loads, we inherited the plot with it, but the raspberries seem to grow brilliantly there and are very productive compared to other people

[Eightball]

If you choose to go the organic route you really need to dig out every bit of rhizome you can. The plant can regrow from the smallest bit of root but if you keep on top of it you will slowly win the battle. Couch is pretty resilient so doubt mulch will damage it too much.

I have horsetail on my plot which is probably worse than couch. I weed little and often to keep it manageable and I have resigned myself to the fact I will probably never get rid of it but I can still grow really nice veg so i'm happy.

[fatcat1955]

I think you're only solution is to remove the raspberries and then get every bit of couch out . Either re-plant in the same bed or move the raspberries to a new bed.

[ghost61]

I agree with fatcat.  You should wash the roots of the raspberry canes to try to get rid of any couch roots.