We've had a stretch of several lovely days here - frosty but once the morning fog burns off, wonderfully sunny and clear and eventually even semi-balmy, temperature wise. What a difference a couple of weeks makes! Unfortunately, I had to work through most of them, but did get out for a bit on Saturday.

Dotty, I have no idea what bulk soil/amendment suppliers are available in your area, but pretty much any type of mulch you like should be available through them now. Or you could research tree services in the area who might have wood chips for you, and most likely for free.

Thanks Gardengal. I do have woodchips stockpiled from last year but I was afraid that they might not be the right mulch for the raspberries. I have used grass clippings in the past but I will do the chips now.

Can you get some composted manure? Any dairy farms or stables close by? I really prefer manure - as long as it is well-aged or composted - over any other mulch for berries. Even bunny stuff would work.

Dotty, lucky you, we're still fogged in. The sun popped out for about half an hour just to tease us and then disappeared again. I must get at our raspberries and weave them around the wires, I usually do this in the fall after we clean out the old canes but got side tracked, didn't get it done.
I wish we were still raising rabbits, great manure for the garden it doesn't burn.

Annette

Our next door neighbour has donkeys so I will see if I can get some donkeypoo. I think that the berries would enjoy a boost. The canes aren't as robust as I think they should be. It's still a little frosty here, but we have really enjoyed the sunshine the past few days. The gloom is really tiresome. Aftermidnight, I'm sorry that you aren't enjoying the nice sun -- it's such a bonus at this time of year in the PNW.