Strawberry bed - mound and ditch

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Steve R, Oct 8, 2012.

  1. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    Every year my strawbeeries end up on the soil when they are planted in a flat bed, leaving them open to both rot from touching damp soil and also it's easier for the slugs to get to them.

    So next year, I will grow them similar to a commercial operation, planting out onto the top of a long mound and ditch system, all covered in weed membrane.

    Is there anything I should know about growing this way, for example is the soil just piled up and shaped or is it done different to that?

    Anyone grown strawberries this way before?

    Steve...:)
     
  2. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I suppose I've grown them like that as I use "lazy raised beds" for mine. I dig out the path, about 18" wide, between each 4' wide "raised bed" and put the soil onto the bed. They start off with smart edges, but those become more rounded over time as the soil collapses back onto the edge of the paths (and I shovel it back onto the beds every year or two).

    On my heavy clay the improved drainage has been noticeable - even though the beds are not especially raised, as such, but the lower paths obvious allow excess run-off water to collect, and then percolate away - compared to the whole beds become drenched.
     
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