[Stratts]

Hi guys now I've got my plot sorted I am going to build a raised area for a permanent strawberry bed.

I have some 8" x 2" timber and it will be approx 8' x 3' in size. 

Is this big enough for strawbs?

The area i plan to put it on was previously grass which I've had covered with black polythene.  Is it a good idea to cover the existing ground level with weed membrane then build the bed on top and infill with soil? 

I'm guessing 8 or 9 inches of soil would be deep enough for strawbs and it'll stop anything growing up from the existing rubbish ground?

Cheers

[TerryB]

I'd dig the grass out and wouldn't use polythene anywhere because its a pain to get out later. Had it in a lot of place under the soil when we took over our plot. 

[finleyfreyaseth]

i took our allotment on recently(as you can see in posts little overgrown) and was told by holders on the site to clear ure site of debris then strim down to the ground and cover with plastic and make raised beds to fill with soil.but thought
 1-it gonna cost fortune in plastic to cover my site
2-it gonna be even more costly filling all the raised beds with soil and compost
3-how do worms get through the plastic arent they good for your soil
so i decided to go the cheap route and labour intensive way of digging out my beds and clearing away all the ground weeds.

[Kleftiwallah]

Only make your beds as wide as you can easily reach across.      Cheers,   Tony.

[arugula]

Only make your beds as wide as you can easily reach across.   

4 feet is common. 

[sunshineband]

If you are filling the bed with soil, putting weed suppressant membrane in first will stop most weeds from making their way through, but there will always be those that creep up around the edges -- couch, bindweed, dock being some that come to mind.

Taking off the 'turf' first, then building the bed would get rid of most weeds/grass. You couls stack the turf to mulch down too 

Our strawberry bed is 1.2m wide, and I can just reach the middle like that. It is six inches deep above ground level  but not completely filled with soil.

Easy size to net against bird theft too 

[Stratts]

Ok thanks for the ideas guys

[TerryB]

i took our allotment on recently(as you can see in posts little overgrown) and was told by holders on the site to clear ure site of debris then strim down to the ground and cover with plastic and make raised beds to fill with soil.but thought
 1-it gonna cost fortune in plastic to cover my site
2-it gonna be even more costly filling all the raised beds with soil and compost
3-how do worms get through the plastic arent they good for your soil
so i decided to go the cheap route and labour intensive way of digging out my beds and clearing away all the ground weeds.

You took best route, but you can fill the beds from soil that you dig out of your paths and repace this with wood chip.

[Trillium]

Before you put down the membrane, spread out flattened, thick cardboard over the area, then the membrane on top. This really stops weeds and will eventually compost down.

The 3' bed works too if that's what you have. Just try not to crowd the first planting as runners will come along next year and you need space for them. I space mine about a hand trowel length lengthwise, and in a raised bed you can do same for width.

[Stratts]

Ok thanks

[finleyfreyaseth]

i took our allotment on recently(as you can see in posts little overgrown) and was told by holders on the site to clear ure site of debris then strim down to the ground and cover with plastic and make raised beds to fill with soil.but thought
 1-it gonna cost fortune in plastic to cover my site
2-it gonna be even more costly filling all the raised beds with soil and compost
3-how do worms get through the plastic arent they good for your soil
so i decided to go the cheap route and labour intensive way of digging out my beds and clearing away all the ground weeds.

You took best route, but you can fill the beds from soil that you dig out of your paths and repace this with wood chip.

back breaking but being new to allotmenting always after new ideas,terry weres youre allotment?

[TerryB]

i took our allotment on recently(as you can see in posts little overgrown) and was told by holders on the site to clear ure site of debris then strim down to the ground and cover with plastic and make raised beds to fill with soil.but thought
 1-it gonna cost fortune in plastic to cover my site
2-it gonna be even more costly filling all the raised beds with soil and compost
3-how do worms get through the plastic arent they good for your soil
so i decided to go the cheap route and labour intensive way of digging out my beds and clearing away all the ground weeds.

You took best route, but you can fill the beds from soil that you dig out of your paths and repace this with wood chip.

back breaking but being new to allotmenting always after new ideas,terry weres youre allotment?

Harris behind Tranmere Rovers ground