I also use soaker hoses with landscaper cloth between rows. For several years I also put grass & straw on top of the landscaper cloth. After a while, I decided the landscaper cloth was just as effective without the mulch and created much less mess. Now I just weed the open areas between plants by hand. I would not recommend getting the mulch too close to your plants or hoses.
John A

Last year I put 2 year old composted zoo doo around the plants(tomatoes and peppers and tiger eye beans) and over the soaker hoses. It seemed to work fine. It was the first time I used a soaker hose that way. I liked it, except that it took me awhile to realize the far end of one hose wasn't putting out much water. Now that I am aware of that problem, I will look for it and it won't be a problem for me. There is always a learning curve. I recommend covering the hose.

Thanks for the advise. One of the reasons I was thinking about using the mulch was due to the fact that it has been very windy and the clips are not holding the cloth. I have pushed dirt on top in places and that helps, that is what one of my neighbors does. I have always put mulch over the cloth and have found that the ground stays damp better.
Now if I can get my daughter to get the tractor out and bring me a few buckets, I will be all set!

Yes, I've used dried grass clippings as mulch for tomatoes right over the soaker hoses. I usually don't have enough, so also use straw.