caress,
The 'vine peach' is a small melon, in the same group with the cantaloupe(Cucumis melo). While I *guess* they're edible, they've been grown for hundreds of years mainly for their aroma - used in olden times to cover/mask body odor when bathing was not a regularly-performed ritual - ladies often carried them in their pockets to mask their own scent.
I doubt that the fruits(melons) will taste like a peach, though they may resemble one in size and coloration.

I agree. I assume you bought these "vine peaches" from a less than reputable nursery. To check them out, do go to this site: http://davesgarden.com/gwd/ to check them out.

If you are even remotely serious about growing edible landscaping plants, your best bet is really going to be some RESEARCH - either by gardening books or good websites.

Don't take a chance of either poisoning yourself or wasting a lot of time & effort on plants that aren't going to end up what you expect them to be.

No, they're supposed to taste more like Mangos than Peaches.

And yes, they're edible.

Your note of caution is well advised, however. My research last year turned up the interesting factoid that there are varieties of bush referred to as "wintergreen" that are in fact poisonous.

Only Gaultheria Procumbens is true Wintergreen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vine Peach

Yes the rabbits birds etc. will love your strawberries cover them with "mesh" as you say and cover them with the mesh slightly off the ground or the birds will peck through the mexh (get through the holes).... :)

I'm thinking if I stick a bunch of sticks in the ground, around and within the bed... maybe I can find something plastic shaped like a lowercase t so it can support the mesh... I'm formulating a plan.

thanks for the tips folks.

I make a hoop house (tiny one) over my raised beds, to start stuff early. You can remove the plastic and use mesh or door screen (by the roll) to cover for the rest of the year. I have raised beds, so is easy to attach the poles on. Or you can use the plastic lattice sprips, and they bend over to creat a hoop and stay bent all season. Clear plastic tarps (like as a dollar store, sold by the 50' roll) If you see it, you can make it..!