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Strawberry is a widely grown fruit that belongs to the species genus Fragaria. Strawberries are cultivated worldwide not just because of their delicious taste but because they are also straightforward to grow. This plant is the easiest for beginners to start with.
After choosing the best variety of strawberries to grow, you must select the right companion to protect it from pests and prevent the soft fruit from rotting.
With the right growing tips and companion plants, you can reap the rewards of growing strawberries in your garden. Strawberry is one of the most popular berries in the world, and this can be attributed to its nutritional benefits.
Strawberries need all the care they can get; hence, when choosing companion plants, you need to consider plants that benefit them more.
Like other homegrown plants, strawberries are more flavourful when harvested and consumed fresh than supermarket-bought ones. Many resources are available to help you ensure the successful harvest of strawberries. But companion planting can be of great benefit to not just your strawberries but the garden as well.
Purpose Of Strawberry Companion Planting
Companion planting is a gardening method that has been around for centuries. This is a method farmers and gardeners adopt to gain a more significant yield.
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It simply involves arranging your garden so some plants of mutual benefit are planted near each other. Studies have shown companion planting with vegetables, fruits, and flowers can help enhance the quality and growth of each plant.
Keep in mind that not all garden plants will be good neighbors to each other, so you need to make sure you are selecting ones that mutually benefit each other. It is important to note that strawberries are prolific growers and can be invasive, so when choosing companions, you must select ones that can help them grow.
Companions for strawberries include all kinds of plants, from vegetables to fruits and flowers. However, some plants won’t thrive when planted near strawberries. What not to plant with strawberries is also as important as what to grow near them.
Best Companion Plants For Strawberries
Some plants will harm your strawberries rather than help them grow, but first, you need to be aware of the ones that can benefit them.
Growing plants symbolically near your strawberries can increase the yield, health, and quality of your crop. While several crops benefit strawberries, we have compiled the best, from vegetables to flowers and herbs, that can be grown side by side.
1. Borage
Borage is the first to be considered on the list of the best companion plants for your strawberries. This herb has been established to be of great benefit to strawberries, it can help deter pests that can harm your strawberry patch, while the deep blue flower can also attract pollinators to your strawberry and other plants that can benefit from it in your garden.
This herb is a popular companion to strawberries, and it can also add traces of minerals to the soil, which can help strawberries grow there are claims it can help improve the flavor as well.
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2. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum as its name suggests is a flower with a sweet aroma and it tends to grow together in close clusters. This flowering plant pairs perfectly with strawberries it is an essential companion for strawberries.
It is ideal for attracting beneficial and pollinator plants to your garden and specifically great for strawberries as it has been discovered to further help increase strawberry yield.
This flowering plant can grow up to 6–12 inches but won’t pose a huge shading risk for your strawberries. It needs at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. Sweet alyssum holds moisture well in summer, but hot dry spells can stop it from flowering.
3. Asparagus
Asparagus and strawberries will do fine together as they root on a different level and not at the same depth which won’t put a strain on the nutrient level each requires. Asparagus and strawberries are regarded as natural companions as both tend to grow together after the last frost.
4. Bush Beans
Bush beans are another popular beneficial companion plant for strawberries. Any plant other than the lupin family can be planted with strawberries but bush beans are often the best for many strawberry varieties. Bush beans repel pests that can harm strawberries and also help with nitrogen-fixing.
5. Marigold
Marigold is a flower lot gardeners like planting due to its pest-repellant properties. This flower can be planted alongside other plants such as cucumber, tomatoes, beans, and lettuce and definitely can be a great companion to strawberries as well. Marigolds and strawberries not only make great companions but can benefit plants planted nearby too.
6. Thyme
If you are on the search for the best herbs to plant alongside strawberries thyme should be worth considering. This herb is a must-have in your garden, it can be used as a flavor in many recipes and also for medicinal purposes. The potent aroma of thyme keeps worms away and rather attracts hoverflies that feed on aphids, caterpillars, and other pests that try to feed on strawberries.
7. Lettuce
Another surprising companion plant for strawberries is lettuce. This vegetable can help improve the quality of your strawberry fruit. The large leaves of lettuce can also protect strawberry fruits from being eaten by birds.
8. Catnip
Catnip’s aromatic smell can help deter insects such as aphids and mites which are very harmful to your strawberry fruits. It also deters cabbage loopers which strawberries are prone to attracting. Cabbage loopers and aphids are predators that can easily destroy an entire patch of strawberries but catnip is known to release an odor that can help deter these pests.
9. Sage
Sage is another beneficial and popular herb to plant near strawberries. Sage can help repel insects and pests such as slugs. This herb is also very easy to grow and it can be nurtured together with strawberries.
10. Spinach
Spinach is an excellent companion for strawberries and many garden fruits. It is a popular vegetable worth having in your garden and it also makes a great combination with strawberries in a bowl hence it makes sense to have them planted together. Spinach contains a compound that can act as a natural repellent for garden pests.
11. Onions And Garlic
Onions garlic and strawberries are super compatible. Planting strawberries and onions on the same plant can greatly benefit the plant. Onions can help discourage pests with their pungent smell, while rapidly growing strawberries can provide shade across the soil to shade onions. The pungent smell of garlic also helps keep pests away from the juicy fruit.
12. Caraway
Caraway is a plant that attracts insects that feed on pests that can cause damage to your garden plants. It is another herb that is an excellent companion to your strawberry plant. It can help protect your strawberries from parasitic waps and flies.
13. Basil
Another great herb you can plant as a companion with strawberries is basil. Basil is a flavorful leafy green herb, it can be sowed in an annual strawberry bed to improve its vigor, and taste and deter pests as well. Basil can be used to add flavor to a variety of dishes hence it’s one you would enjoy planting in your garden.
The delightful fragrance of basil is known to help repel some insects that feed on strawberries. Also, when it bolts and flowers, its blossom can attract pollinators.
14. Broccoli
Although some sources suggest that brassicas are not good companions for strawberry plants due to their space-hogging attributes and they are likely to compete for nutrients however broccoli is the exception, broccoli has disease-suppressing properties that will be excellent for strawberries. Incorporate broccoli into your garden planting system to protect your crops from verticillium wilt.
15. Poppies
Poppies are herbaceous plants and they happen to be all-time favorites for bees, so surrounding your strawberry with them is a way to capture the bee’s attention. Poppies are flowers that are considered special and great companions for berries.
16. Radish
Radishes are highly beneficial vegetables in your diet and strawberry garden. It is one of the easier vegetables for beginner gardeners as it makes the easiest edible crop to plant. They won’t compete with your strawberry and will use any unused space.
17. Carrots
Another root vegetable that pairs well with strawberries is carrots. Carrots are not difficult to grow, and it’s mainly the soil condition that will determine their ability to grow. However, they are superb to have in your garden and will fit seamlessly with strawberries.
Thanks to the long straight roots of carrots, they won’t hinder the growth of carrots however we do recommend spacing these two plants. Carrots should be interplanted in rows 4-6” from strawberry plants.
What Not To Grow Alongside Strawberries
Strawberries are a great companion to many garden plants but there are also certain plants you need to keep far away from them. It is important to keep the nature of the strawberry plant in mind while choosing companions.
This plant can be somewhat invasive, hence below are plants that can inhibit the growth of strawberries rather than enhance its growth.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes will only stunt the growth of your strawberries. Potatoes can harbor species of nematodes that can feed on your strawberry. Hence, they should not be planted in the same bed as strawberries or any berry.
2. Red Clovers
Strawberries can easily stunt the growth of red clover. When planted alongside each other, strawberries can end up depleting nutrients and competing with red clover. Just like potatoes, red clover can also harbor nematodes.
3. Okra
Okra is another spring crop that should not be planted near strawberries. Okra plants need as much sun and water as strawberries; both can compete for nutrients.
4. Cauliflower
Strawberries are prolific growers; hence they won’t be nice to cauliflowers. Any plant in the cabbage family will struggle when planted near strawberries; hence they are best planted far apart.
5. Mint
While lots of herbs are great companions with strawberries, mints are aggressive plants and can easily take over the strawberry patch.
Strawberry Companion Planting Tips
Farmers and gardeners have used companion planting for centuries to measure the symbiotic relationship between many plants. The primary purpose of companion planting is to ensure a healthy and successful harvest.
Although strawberries are excellent companions to many garden plants, they can still hurt some plants by depleting their nutrients if they are not monitored. So, Here are tips to further help you with strawberry companion planting.
- First, understand the specific needs and characteristics of a strawberry plant.
- Choose companion plants for strawberries based on their similar watering and fertilizing needs.
- It would be best if you made sure plants that benefit each other are planted in proximity but provide the around amount of spacing. Please pay attention to their spacing and arrangements.
- To choose the best companions for strawberries, you should ensure they have similar nutrient requirements and won’t compete with each other.
- Not all plants will tolerate strawberries; however, you can choose plants that can help repel pests and understand what not to plant next to each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eggshells good for strawberry plants?
Eggshells produce natural potassium, which can significantly benefit your strawberry plants. Strawberries rely heavily on nitrogen, and they thrive with eggshells as well. The extra calcium from eggshells can prevent blossom end rot as well.
Can you plant strawberries next to blackberries?
Strawberries and blackberries can be beneficial to each other. However, the soil space can determine if these two can be planted next to each other as they are both prolific growers. You need to ensure there is enough space for them to grow.
Can you plant anything with strawberries?
There are lots of plants that work well with strawberries. It is important to plant crops that are of benefit to strawberries rather than the other way around. Plants like tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, roses, mints, potatoes, and okra should not be planted near strawberries.
Is coffee grounds good for strawberry plants?
Strawberry plants need a good dose of nitrogen and coffee grounds are a good source of that. Coffee grounds are ideal for strawberry types that prefer slightly acidic soil. Used coffee grounds work better with strawberry plants than store-bought plant food.
How long does it take for a strawberry plant to produce fruit?
Strawberry plants tend to bloom as soon as the weather begins to warm in the spring. Generally, strawberries start to produce fruits within their first growing season, and their fruits are ready to be picked 4 to 6 weeks after the plant blossoms.
How often should strawberries be watered?
On average, strawberries need about 1–2 inches of water daily. They need regular watering to produce juicy fruits. During normal weather conditions, they need 1 to 2 inches of rain, but during hot weather, they need to be watered more regularly; however, you need to avoid overwatering them.
Final Thoughts
Strawberries are easy plants for beginners but keep in mind that there are different varieties of this plant. Most strawberries are perennials, meaning their roots will stay year after year while some types will not produce fruits the first year they are planted.
Gardeners and farmers have adopted companion planting for years to help keep their garden plants thriving. You can consult an experienced landscaper to help choose the variety of strawberries that are easier to grow in your region.
