Strawberry Companion Plants

Companion planting stands as a key player in the domain of organic gardening.

Specifically, when it comes to strawberries, these companion plants serve dual roles — they assist in creating a micro-ecosystem where each plant thrives and fight off pests that can harm strawberry crops.

This article explores the notable companions that strawberries love to share their space with. So, if you’re looking to enhance the growth of your strawberry plants while keeping pests at bay, read on.

Key Takeaways

• Companion planting is a strategic gardening technique that enhances strawberry growth and yields by supporting nutrient intake and pest control.
• Borage, bush beans, asparagus, marigold, and spinach are top companions for strawberries, providing mutual benefits such as pest deterrence, boosted fruit production, and soil enrichment.
• Additional beneficial strawberry companions include garlic, thyme, sage, carrots, and onions, each providing unique benefits, attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, and improving soil quality. 
• Avoid Brassica family plants, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, and peppers near your strawberry patch. They may compete for nutrients, attract pests, or introduce harmful pathogens.
• Yarrow can additionally be used to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, enhancing the ecosystem’s balance and making your strawberry garden flourish.

Benefits of Companion Planting for Strawberries

Companion planting is a gardening technique where certain plants are grown together to enhance their growth and protect them from harmful pests.

Choosing the right companion plants for your strawberries can improve their flavor, boost their fruit production, and repel damaging insects.

The Best Companion Plants for Strawberries

Planting these garden friends alongside your strawberries provides exceptional benefits:

• Borage: This potent herb goes beyond adding vibrancy to your garden. It simultaneously wards off harmful insects, luring beneficial pollinators to your strawberries. Quite the garden guardian!
• Bush Beans: Playing a twofold role, bush beans deter garden beetles and other strawberry-loving pests. Even better, their growth process enriches the soil with nitrogen, amplifying fruit production.
• Asparagus: Pairing asparagus with strawberries is an ingenious move. They co-exist peacefully, using the soil efficiently without competing for nutrients while enriching the soil content.
• Marigolds: Well-known for their pest-repelling abilities, marigolds also stimulate strawberry growth. Their bright blooms not only beautify your garden but also shield your strawberries.
• Spinach: As an excellent ground cover, spinach helps to retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth, creating an optimal growth environment for strawberries.
• Garlic: An excellent deterrent for potential invaders such as aphids or spider mites, garlic acts as a natural pesticide while adding essential nutrients to the soil. 
• Thyme: This aromatic herb, when planted alongside strawberries, repels garden pests, making it a defensive ally. Its strong scent acts as a natural pest deterrent.
• Sage: Known for its pest-repelling properties, sage assists in keeping strawberry plant adversaries, like the cabbage moth and carrot fly, at bay. 
• Carrots: These root vegetables are excellent at breaking up the soil and allowing better water and nutrient uptake for surrounding plants. The dense top greens of the carrots also provide a mild shade that strawberries appreciate. 
• Onions: Onions are wonderful companions because they deter many common pests that love to feast on strawberries. Their pungent smell keeps unwanted pests away.

Plants to Steer Clear of in Your Strawberry Patch

While many plants do wonders for your strawberry’s growth, several plants are considered counterproductive to their health. Recognizing these potential garden foes can benefit the flourishing of your strawberry patch.

Here are a few of these plants:

• Cabbage Family (Brassica): This category includes broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. These plants compete with strawberries for nutrients, resulting in subpar growth and yield.
• Potatoes: While they might seem harmless, potatoes can increase the risk of verticillium wilt, which is a devastating fungal disease for strawberries.
• Tomatoes: Similarly to potatoes, tomato plants may carry the same fungus, leading to verticillium wilt.
• Corn: The corn earworm is a common pest for strawberries. Since corn attracts this pest, it’s best to keep it away from your strawberry patch.
• Peppers: Pepper plants may inject harmful pathogens into the soil, which could negatively affect strawberry health.

Additional Tips for Successful Companion Planting With Strawberries

Yarrow attracts beneficial pollinators and boosts the yield of nearby plants, creating a thriving garden ecosystem.

Plant yarrow alongside your strawberries to encourage the presence of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These pollinators play a vital role in transferring pollen from one flower to another, resulting in more fruit being produced.

Besides, yarrow can attract beneficial insects that prey on pests, helping to control any potential pest problems in your strawberry patch naturally. It creates a balanced and healthy garden environment, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

Wrapping Up

Embarking on your gardening journey with strawberries doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor.

Don’t be afraid to tap into an organic approach that maximizes your yield while minimizing pests by strategically including companion plants.

Keep in mind the potential garden foes, and let your strawberry patch flourish with the synergy of nature’s best companions. Happy gardening!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the concept behind companion planting?

Companion planting is a practice where specific plants are grown together to mutually benefit each other through pest control, nutrient take-up, pollination, and productivity.

Can I companion plant strawberries with other berries?

Though it primarily depends on your local climate and soil, strawberries tend to do well with raspberries. Beware that other berry plants can compete with strawberries for nutrients, so it’s always a balancing act.

How do I choose the ideal location for my strawberry patch?

Choose a location that receives full sun and provides good soil drainage. Strawberries prefer loamy, well-drained soil. Also, look out for wind protection to prevent the plants from drying out.

How do companion plants enhance strawberry taste?

Certain companion plants can improve soil quality, which, in turn, enhances the nutrient uptake by strawberry plants. This situation can improve the sweetness and overall flavor of your strawberries.

How often should I water my strawberry plants?

Strawberries need frequent watering to stay healthy, especially when the berries are forming. During this time, water your strawberries every 2-3 days. Still, remember that overwatering can cause root rot.

Jack Grover

Enamored with the world of golf Jack pursued a degree in Golf Course Management at THE Ohio State University. This career path allowed him to work on some of the highest profile golf courses in the country!  Due to the pandemic, Jack began Inside The Yard as a side hustle that quickly became his main hustle. Since starting the company, Jack has relocated to a homestead in Central Arkansas where he and his wife raise cattle and two little girls.