If you don't know what Visqueen is, it's a thick black plastic sheet either in a roll or folded up, found in most hardware stores, much like the material garbage bags are made of. You spread it on the ground, weigh it down with rocks or wood, cut holes in it and plant in those holes. Some melon farmers use this method not only to control weeds but to warm the ground and to keep the future "fruits" clean.
Lay your black plastic on prepared (well tilled) ground, weigh it down and go at it with a scissors for each plants' 5-6 inch circular holes. When it comes to planting strawberries in this "plastic mulch," make certain you cut the holes for your plants within reach of the runners (future plants/next year's crop) they will produce. This is about 5-6 inches. Take about a cup of soil from the hole (lay it aside it) then place a handful of enriched soil in the center of the hole. Spread the roots of the strawberry plant out over the center mound and cover ALL roots, patting down the soil once the roots are covered, allowing the crown to remain at soil level. Add the excess soil you've removed from the hole in a circle around the edges of the hole you had cut/planted in. This will keep the plastic down and the water seeping to your precious plants.
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