Raised Strawberry Beds, I Mean Really Raised

[jdmidwest]

I was shuffling thru Craigslist last night and came across an ad for strawberry plants for sale. The ad was unimpressive, but the method of raising caught my eye. Rows and rows of raised planter boxes that you walk under and pick the berries. Looked pretty cool.

[jerry241]

Thats kind of a cool idea... I'd like to see more pics wifey is wanting to do some berries this year

[jdmidwest]

Me too, but that was all he posted in the ad. He was selling plants, not equipment.

http://semo.craigslist.org/grd/3616640601.html

[fishinwrench]

My g/f attempted that last year but failed. So if anyone can make it work we'd like to hear about how you did it.

[P_L]

Wow, that looks pretty simple and cheap to make. That is just a rebar clothes line with some aluminium guttering for planter boxes. I wonder if he uses dirt or some kind of hydroponic growing medium? That would weigh hundreds of pounds if it was full of wet dirt.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've been fooling around with boxes and the like for several years now with mixed results. My theory is that some plants can't stand the hot soil that above ground units have.

[fishinwrench]

I've been fooling around with boxes and the like for several years now with mixed results. My theory is that some plants can't stand the hot soil that above ground units have.

I think that is what kept ours from ever producing.

[exiledguide]

I tried strawberries & tomatoes in the hanging bags and I agree with Wayne I don't think they work in this area, they get too hot if you put them in the sunshine they need. They work good in Mich, Northern Ill and Northern Iowa where it doesn't get so hot according to relatives I have living in those areas in those areas.

[jdmidwest]

I have not seen any luck with the Topsy Turvy stuff around here or the hanging buckets of tomatoes or strawberry. It may be the heat. Last year, my strawberry failed due to the heat and dry weather at ground level.

That may be a Hydroponic system, but the weight would be pretty great. I wish he had a better pic or some more info. Located in Poplar Bluff MO., he has to deal with the heat too. But that shot may be from somewhere else.

I do best with raised beds about 6 foot round. I can pick to the center kneeling on the sides. Planted 2 more today, one with Jewells, and the other Everglow.