mulching a new berry patch

[eirual]

Last summer I planted some raspberries and strawberries in our front boulevard. I have about 2 strawberry plants (which turned out to be runnerless, but I'm hoping they'll multiply somewhat?) and only about 4 raspberry plants left (It ended up being a fairly high-traffic area that they were planted in), 2 in each of the 2 beds.

Anywhoo, I want to mulch in order to identify the area as a garden and to keep the weeds away. My question is though, that since I'm hoping that both species will multiply and create a real patch eventually, is it okay to mulch? Will the roots still be able to get up and start new plants?

I did one little patch near one batch of raspberry plants and used carboard as a base, then woodchips on top. Will I kick myself later?

Thanks for any advice!

[philomom]

Nope strawberry plants depend on runners to make babies... they will just sit there and stay the same if you have the runnerless type.

I don't have raspberry bushes but I don't think they work that way as far as multiplying . I do know you have to keep up with your cane cutting for raspberries to be fruitful each year.

http://gardening.about.com/od/berrie..._Raspberry.htm

Back to the mulch. I use a pine straw mulch for my strawberries to "run" over.