I've been seeing these being sold for a number of years. Most say they have a maximum diameter of six feet. The basic idea is to maximize your space by planting strawberries on terraces to utilize the vertical space.

I for one have never purchased one for several reasons. First, in my opinion they are too shallow. Strawberry roots are predominantly in the upper 6" of soil but they can go deeper. I see how deep the roots go in 6 gallon pails.

Second, the irrigation system, a sprinkler, is totally the wrong way to water strawberries. Wetting the leaves and fruit is not a good idea from a disease standpoint. There are a number of diseases that cause severe problems in strawberries. The other downside of sprinklers is not just the method but the timing of irrigation. Many people think watering at night is best. This is the worst time to water. The leaves and fruit stay wet all night, especially with cool humid nights. This leads to perfect conditions for diseases to thrive. The best time to water is early in the morning so the leaves and fruit can dry off early in the day and the plant can use the moisture during the warm part of the day. And, the best way to water is with a drip system or soaker hose.

The best idea with this terrace system is the hoops and netting as well as the plastic cover. Netting is essential to keep the birds out, especially with red fruiting varieties. The plastic cover can extend the season either earlier in the season or later for ever-bearing varieties.

With a little adjustment, this sytem could be better. Throw away the sprinkler system and get a drip system or a soaker hose. Then you have a fighting chance with the terrace system.

I just visited eBay and did my standard search for alpine strawberries. I finally had it with sellers there. I frequently see misinformation there but it's now too much for me. I saw an auction selling 'Alexandria' seeds with a picture of a garden variety strawberry. Beware of sellers out there. If they're selling antiques AND fraises des bois seed, question it. Where did they get the seed? How are they sure that this is a fraises des bois variety? Do they guarantee the seeds/plants? All good questions. BEWARE .....