Raspberries love rotted manure as a mulch in the fall, winter or spring. Don't mulch now unless you water very well first. Each spring apply a slow release plant food like Osmocote at the base of the plants. This will encourage both new growth for berries and blooms. Get ready to make a lot of jam or bake pies - I think you'll be harvesting lots of berries. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti