[strangerachael]

I know bark chips as a mulch around crops is not generally a good idea, but I'm planning to plant some raspberries and currant bushes soon and want to put a weed-suppressing mulch around them. I can't use black membrane as the raspberries will send up suckers. What if I put a thick layer of compost and/or manure around them and then a layer of bark chips on top of that? Would that be ok?

[Jamie Butterworth]

Worked a treat for me

[daisy1990]

me too, anything that saves weeding is a plus! Only problem was we have a windy site so does tend to need replacing regularly and blackbirds like kicking it about which doesn't help

[Trillium]

Bark chips definitely work because they'll slowly decompose, and if you're like me and heap manure around the plants, it will speed up decomposition and add more tilth as you add more chips and more.... 

[strangerachael]

Oh good, I'll go for it then, thanks

[chickchook]

i have always used chiped up bark chippings . allways worked good for me . or around bigger trees i use shingle . better drainage .

[Trillium]

Shingle is fine, but messy when you try to manure around the tree or shrub.