Should I mulch on frozen soil?

[Scottishnewbie]

We've had sub zero temperatures for what feels like months now and the ground isnt anywhere near to being workable.

I was busy clearing around the plot yesterday and am in a bit of a quandry - hopefully someone can advise please.

I know raspberries are shallow rooted and you have to be careful weeding around them. My raspberry bed has quite a few left over weeds from last year that I can't dig out due to the frozen soil and I was wondering if i just cut them off at then apply a bark mulch around the area, will that help my rasps?

i know you shouldnt apply a mulch when the ground is dry but wasnt sure what would be the best thing to do when there are weeds and also frozen earth

can anyone help please?

[zazen999]

a - are they summer fruiting or autumn? If summer, then don't chop them back at all.

b - hoe the weeds off if you can and then mulch. The frozen ground will soon thaw out.

[Scottishnewbie]

thanks Zaz, that was what I hoped would be the case and means one less job for when the weather improves...IF the weather improves that is!

And they are both summer and autumn and I haven't chopped back the summer ones.

Having said that I want to split them up and have the summer ones in one place and the autumn in another - but not sure when to do that particular job ????

[Snadger]

a - are they summer fruiting or autumn? If summer, then don't chop them back at all.

b - hoe the weeds off if you can and then mulch. The frozen ground will soon thaw out.

And so say all of us...........at least I concur!

[sewer rat]

I have put a thick layer of leaf mould round the summer fruiting rasps in the estate garden where I work on Mondays. The ground was ( and still is) frozen to a depth of about 2- 3 inches and I couldn't weed either, so the plan is that 4 inches of leaf mould will hold the weeds in check.
(It's to be -11 tonight!! )

[Scottishnewbie]

leaf mould? never thought of that, though can see why it would be good. i was just going to use bark... (and it was -4 when i was out with the kids about 7pm this evening)