Strawberry Companion Plants

Introduction to Strawberry Companion Planting

Strawberries are a beloved fruit known for their sweet flavor, vibrant red color, and versatility in culinary applications. As a gardener, growing your own strawberries can be a rewarding experience, but it’s not without its challenges. Pests, diseases, and weeds can all threaten the health and productivity of your strawberry plants. This is where companion planting comes into play.Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together for their mutual benefit. By carefully selecting plants to grow alongside your strawberries, you can create a symbiotic relationship that enhances the growth and health of both species. Companion plants can help deter pests, attract beneficial insects, improve soil quality, and even enhance the flavor of your strawberries.In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best companion plants for strawberries, their benefits, and how to incorporate them into your garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this article will provide you with the knowledge and inspiration to create a thriving, low-maintenance strawberry patch.

The Benefits of Companion Planting with Strawberries

Companion planting offers numerous advantages for growing strawberries:

1. Pest control: Certain plants can help deter common strawberry pests, such as aphids, spider mites, and slugs, by either repelling them or attracting beneficial insects that prey on them.
2. Weed suppression: Ground-covering plants can help smother weeds, reducing competition for nutrients and water.
3. Soil improvement: Some companion plants, such as legumes, can fix nitrogen in the soil, providing a natural fertilizer for your strawberries.
4. Flavor enhancement: Herbs like thyme and sage can help improve the flavor of your strawberries.
5. Pollinator attraction: Flowers that attract bees and other pollinators can increase fruit set and yield.
6. Microclimate regulation: Taller plants can provide shade and wind protection for more delicate strawberry plants.
7. Maximizing space: Interplanting with low-growing vegetables or herbs allows you to make the most of your garden space.

Choosing the Right Companion Plants for Strawberries

When selecting companion plants for your strawberries, consider the following factors:

1. Growth habit: Choose plants with a similar growth habit to your strawberries, ensuring they don’t compete for light, water, or nutrients.
2. Maturity timing: Select plants that will mature at different times, allowing you to maximize your harvest throughout the season.
3. Compatibility: Avoid planting strawberries near plants that are susceptible to the same pests or diseases, as this can increase the risk of infection.
4. Allelopathy: Some plants, such as black walnut, produce chemicals that can inhibit the growth of other plants. Steer clear of these allelopathic plants when companion planting.
5. Aesthetics: Choose companion plants that complement the appearance of your strawberries, creating a visually appealing garden.

Best Companion Plants for Strawberries

Herbs

Herbs make excellent companion plants for strawberries, offering a range of benefits:

1. Borage (Borago officinalis): Borage attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and lacewings, while deterring pests like aphids and cabbage worms. It also improves the flavor of nearby strawberries.
2. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Thyme is a low-growing herb that can help smother weeds and prevent soil erosion. It also has a strong scent that can help mask the fragrance of strawberries, making them less attractive to pests.
3. Sage (Salvia officinalis): Sage is another herb with a strong scent that can help deter pests. It also attracts beneficial insects and can improve the flavor of strawberries.
4. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Chives are a member of the onion family and can help repel aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles. They also attract beneficial insects and can improve the flavor of strawberries.
5. Dill (Anethum graveolens): Dill attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on common strawberry pests. It can also help improve the flavor of your berries.
6. Mint (Mentha): While mint can be an aggressive spreader, it can help deter ants, aphids, and spider mites when grown near strawberries. Choose a contained variety or plant it in a pot to prevent it from taking over your garden.

Flowers

Flowers not only add beauty to your garden but can also provide numerous benefits for your strawberry plants:

1. Marigolds (Tagetes): Marigolds are known for their ability to deter nematodes, which are tiny worms that can damage strawberry roots. They also attract beneficial insects and can help mask the fragrance of strawberries, making them less attractive to pests.
2. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima): Alyssum is a low-growing, carpet-forming plant that attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings. It can also help smother weeds and prevent soil erosion.
3. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum): Nasturtiums are known for their ability to attract aphids away from other plants. They also deter cucumber beetles and squash bugs, making them a great companion for strawberries.
4. Sunflowers (Helianthus): Sunflowers can provide shade and wind protection for strawberry plants, while also attracting beneficial insects and birds that feed on pests.
5. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow is a hardy perennial that attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings. It can also help improve soil quality and deter pests.

Vegetables and Legumes

While not as common as herbs and flowers, certain vegetables and legumes can also make good companions for strawberries:

1. Bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris): Bush beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, meaning they can help improve soil fertility for your strawberries. They also help deter beetles and other pests.
2. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa): Lettuce is a low-growing plant that can help smother weeds and prevent soil erosion. It also provides a quick harvest, allowing you to maximize your garden space.
3. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea): Like lettuce, spinach is a low-growing plant that can help smother weeds and prevent soil erosion. It also provides a nutritious addition to your diet.
4. Radishes (Raphanus sativus): Radishes are fast-growing plants that can help loosen soil and deter pests, such as cucumber beetles and squash bugs.
5. Peas (Pisum sativum): Like bush beans, peas are nitrogen-fixing plants that can help improve soil fertility for your strawberries. They also provide a tasty addition to your garden.

Companion Plants to Avoid

While there are many beneficial companion plants for strawberries, there are also some plants that should be avoided:

1. Members of the cabbage family (Brassicaceae): Plants like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can inhibit the growth of strawberries and are susceptible to similar pests and diseases.
2. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum): Potatoes can harbor verticillium wilt, a fungal disease that can also affect strawberries.
3. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum): Like potatoes, tomatoes can harbor verticillium wilt and should be avoided in areas where strawberries will be planted.
4. Black walnut (Juglans nigra): Black walnut trees produce a chemical called juglone, which can be toxic to many plants, including strawberries.
5. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Fennel is known to inhibit the growth of many plants, including strawberries, due to its allelopathic properties.

Incorporating Companion Plants into Your Strawberry Patch

When incorporating companion plants into your strawberry patch, consider the following tips:

1. Plan ahead: Decide which companion plants you want to include and where you will place them in your garden. Consider the mature size and growth habit of each plant to ensure they won’t compete with your strawberries.
2. Start early: Many companion plants, such as marigolds and nasturtiums, can be started from seed indoors and transplanted into your garden later. This gives them a head start and allows you to maximize your growing season.
3. Succession planting: Plant a variety of companion plants that mature at different times, ensuring you have a continuous supply of beneficial insects and pest deterrents throughout the growing season.
4. Interplanting: Tuck companion plants in between your strawberry plants or along the edges of your strawberry patch. This helps maximize space and creates a more diverse ecosystem.
5. Maintenance: Keep an eye on your companion plants and remove any that become overly aggressive or start to compete with your strawberries. Regular weeding and mulching can also help maintain a healthy balance in your garden.

Conclusion

Companion planting is a valuable tool for growing healthy, productive strawberry plants. By carefully selecting plants that offer a range of benefits, such as pest control, soil improvement, and pollinator attraction, you can create a thriving, low-maintenance strawberry patch. Remember to choose plants with compatible growth habits, avoid allelopathic plants, and consider the aesthetics of your garden when selecting companion plants. With a little planning and care, your strawberry patch will be well on its way to producing a bountiful harvest.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I plant strawberries and tomatoes together?
A1: No, it’s best to avoid planting strawberries and tomatoes together, as they can harbor the same fungal disease, verticillium wilt.

Q2: How far apart should I plant strawberries and their companion plants?
A2: The spacing will depend on the specific companion plant, but as a general rule, allow at least 12 inches between strawberry plants and their companions. This ensures they don’t compete for resources.

Q3: Do I need to provide any special care for my companion plants?
A3: Most companion plants are relatively low-maintenance, but you may need to water them during dry spells and remove any that become overly aggressive. Follow the specific care instructions for each plant.

Q4: Can I use companion plants to control weeds in my strawberry patch?
A4: Yes, ground-covering plants like thyme and alyssum can help smother weeds and prevent soil erosion. However, you may still need to do some hand-weeding, especially when your strawberry plants are young.

Q5: Will companion plants attract more beneficial insects to my garden?
A5: Yes, many companion plants, such as marigolds and yarrow, attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that prey on common strawberry pests. This can help reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Table of Companion Plants for Strawberries

For more information on companion planting, you can visit the USDA’s National Agricultural Library.