Strawberries in a coldframe

[BrianNN5]

I do not have a greenhouse but have a 4' x 2' raised bed framework (about 15ins high) with a cold frame build on top.

My question is do I fill the raised bed and plant strawberries direct in the soil/compost or would it be better to grow individual plants in a large (3litre?) pots on staging.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of each method?

I will still have another strawberry patch in the garden but I thought I could get some 'earlier' fruit this way, as well as use the cold frame shelving for my seedlings, etc.

Thanks

[Aberdeenplotter]

purely for ease of keeping the compost moist, fill the raised beds. Strawbs have a lot of leaf and you will be forever watering pots

[BrianNN5]

Thanks for your response.

How many plants would you have in a 4ft x 2ft bed?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Brian, I wouldn't. For optimum production and longevity of the plants, I grow in the ground,plants 2ft apart in rows 2 ft apart. If you intend replacing plants annually, I would guess you would get away with having them 1 ft apart.