Fruit bushes - best as hedging or in raised beds?

[Curlykale]

Hi everyone - I'm hoping to get the benefit of your collective wisdom and experience here!

I have a new allotment and have been given a load of fruit bushes. (Blackcurrants, redcurrants, raspberries, gooseberries and blueberries).

I was going to plant them in raised beds so that if we get invaded by rabbits I could build netting cages around each bed, but am now wondering whether to use them as hedging, as my plot is along the edge of the site adjoining a wide grass path, but I don't have anything to define my boundary.

I don't want/can't afford to put up fencing, and I like the idea of having an edible boundary (but one that isn't too difficult/time consuming to maintain).

Should I plant my fruit bushes along the boundary? If so, how far inside the boundary line should I actually plant them so they don't stick out too far onto the path?

Will the different types of fruit grow ok mixed up together or should I keep them separate? Should I prepare the ground with anything first?

If they would be better grown in beds, can you suggest what else I could plant along the boundary?

Also, I have some strawberries that I have grown in fish boxes this year - will they transplant successfully into new beds on the plot and if so when is the best time to do it and is there anything I should do to prepare the ground? Do strawberries have to be cut back or do I just leave them as they are?

Sorry for asking so many daft questions - and apologies in advance for the many others that will follow!

[Two_Sheds]

I've planted my raspberries as an edible fedge (fence/hedge) because we aren't "allowed" fences, but I want to protect my plot from the prevailing wind with something.

I've planted them 3 foot away from the boundary path.

[Two_Sheds]

I have some strawberries ...will they transplant successfully into new beds on the plot and if so when is the best time to do it

April or September ... that will be April then
But watch out for spring frosts which will kill the flowers. http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_...strawberry.asp
Where are you? Scotland or Cornwall? can you pop it into your profile ... it makes a big difference to the advice you get

[gojiberry]

The only thing I would say is how many people pass your plot each day. I made the mistake of putting peas next to the path and lost half the crop to people passing and just having a pod as they pass. No one thought of it as pinching as it usually was only one pod and we are a friendly bunch who share our excess produce.
All I am saying is think about the possability of losses.

Ian

[Curlykale]

Thanks for your advice - having given it some thought I think I am going to build raised beds so that the long side of the beds are along (and form) the boundary - then I shall plant my fruit bushes in the raised beds and build fruit cages around them.

That way I will define the boundary, keep the birds/rabbits off the fruit and also keep temptation away from passing neighbours!

I was planning on making most of my raised beds 10' x 4' but guess they will have to be bigger for fruit bushes - any ideas how big I should make them? And how far apart should I space the fruit bushes in the beds?

Many thanks

[Curlykale]

Also - any advice on how to build fruit cages?

Thanks!