Okay to leave moss around raspberries?

[Noosner]

Some of my raspberry canes, that are in the shade of my allotment neighbour's poly tunnel, get moss growing round them. I normally remove it, but I did wonder the other day whether it might actually be helping the canes and acting as a sort of mulch, and whether perhaps it would be better to leave it there. Any thoughts, anyone?

[Scarlet]

I don't really know to be sure, I don't think it would hurt -raspberries are weeds although I'd be collecting it and using for my hanging baskets

[arpoet]

OMG Noosner... I better get my eyes tested.. I thought you said mess... the mind boggles.

[Noosner]

OMG Noosner... I better get my eyes tested.. I thought you said mess... the mind boggles.

It's true that mess is something that grows... and grows and grows, arpoet!

[Bren In Pots]

I'd leave it there it must act as a mulch nothing grows through moss so it'll keep the weeds down. Unless like Scarlet says it would be handy for baskets.

[Noosner]

Thanks Bren and Scarlet - sounds as if you think leaving the moss there won't do any damage and might actually do some good. I shall leave it there!

[Scarlet]

Keep collecting it, store in plastic bags with a drop of water - it costs a fortune!

[boundtothesoil]

Some of my raspberry canes, that are in the shade of my allotment neighbour's poly tunnel, get moss growing round them. I normally remove it, but I did wonder the other day whether it might actually be helping the canes and acting as a sort of mulch, and whether perhaps it would be better to leave it there. Any thoughts, anyone?

I sort of agree, but I'm not a great fan of moss during the wetter seasons as I suspect that the sometimes slimy layer may reduce gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere, and hence soil aeration. Plus there are times when you want the soil to dry out a little. Most Raspberry varieties can be prone to root rot especially in water logged soils.

[Noosner]

I sort of agree, but I'm not a great fan of moss during the wetter seasons as I suspect that the sometimes slimy layer may reduce gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere, and hence soil aeration. Plus there are times when you want the soil to dry out a little. Most Raspberry varieties can be prone to root rot especially in water logged soils.

That's interesting, Btts, because the soil at my lottie is clay and does get wet in the winter, sometimes even getting flooded by the nearby river. In fact I think the damp is why the moss grows in the first place. I shall think ont.

Perhaps I ought to collect it as Scarlet suggests and sell it on! Had no idea it was such a valuable commodity in the hanging basket world.