First Timer.

[tom.belte]

I am about to with my father build some raised planters from the usual scaffolding planks, it will be 4x10 and I am hopefully going to have 2 in my back garden. I want to grown vegetables and herbs primarily and perhaps strawberries next year. What would your recommendations be for a first time planter? I am going to get the beds ready to get the soil ready over winter. All advice welcome.

[Dave the Gardener]

You grow what you like to eat !! Seriously, I know people who grow stuff that they don't like to eat (broad beans spring to mind) just because they are fairly easy to grow well - what's the point if you're only gonna throw it on the compost heap?
If you have limited space then you might want to skip veg that is cheap to buy - like onionspotatoes and carrots and concentrate on things that are best fresh - salad leaves are a perfect example, or that cost a bit more in the shops.
It realli is entirely up to you and your stomach!

[Thomas W]

Originally Posted by tom.belte

... What would your recommendations be for a first time planter? ...

Originally Posted by Dave the Gardener

... skip veg that is cheap to buy - like onions potatoes and carrots and concentrate on things that are best fresh ...

Peas are easy to grow and best fresh.
And strawberries, as you already mentioned, Tom ;-)

A bit more tricky is tomatoes and corn, but great when fresh too.

[rainlove20]

Originally Posted by Dave the Gardener

You grow what you like to eat !

Well,

This is the best thing that a person who loves veggies can do to make sure that what you eat is safe and good.

My grandma grows a lot of vegetables in her mini garden..
Whenever she wants to eat some vegetables, the ingredients are all ready and they are also clean.