Companion Plants for Strawberries: 15 Options to Consider
The Importance of Companion Planting for Strawberries
Growing strawberries can be a rewarding experience, but it does require some effort to ensure that they are healthy and productive. One way to maximize the yield of your strawberry plants is through companion planting. Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together that have beneficial interactions with each other. When it comes to strawberries, there are several plants that can serve as excellent companions.
What are the benefits of companion planting for strawberries?
Companion planting provides several benefits for strawberry plants. It can help to:
- Repel pests and insects
- Improve soil quality
- Provide shade and support
- Attract pollinators
The Best Companion Plants for Strawberries
There are many plants that can work well as companions for strawberries. Here are 15 options to consider:
1. Borage
Borage is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it attracts bees and other pollinators. This can increase the yield of your strawberry plants. In addition, borage has deep roots that can help to break up compacted soil and improve drainage.
How to grow borage?
Borage is easy to grow from seed. Plant the seeds in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Borage grows quickly and will begin to flower in about six weeks.
How to use borage as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant borage near your strawberry plants to attract pollinators. You can also chop up the leaves and add them to your compost to improve soil quality.
2. Chamomile
Chamomile is another excellent companion plant for strawberries. It has a pleasant fragrance that can help to repel pests, such as aphids and spider mites. In addition, chamomile has shallow roots that can help to retain moisture in the soil.
How to grow chamomile?
Chamomile is easy to grow from seed. Plant the seeds in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Chamomile will begin to flower in about six weeks.
How to use chamomile as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant chamomile near your strawberry plants to repel pests. You can also use chamomile tea as a natural pesticide by steeping the flowers in water and spraying the solution on your strawberry plants.
3. Chives
Chives are a great companion plant for strawberries because they repel insects and pests. In addition, chives have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants.
How to grow chives?
Chives are easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant them in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use chives as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant chives around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also chop up the leaves and add them to your compost to improve soil quality.
4. Garlic
Garlic is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it repels pests and insects. In addition, garlic has a strong smell that can mask the scent of your strawberry plants, making them less attractive to pests.
How to grow garlic?
Garlic is easy to grow from bulbs. Plant the bulbs in the fall or early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Garlic will begin to produce scapes in the spring, which should be removed to encourage bulb growth.
How to use garlic as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant garlic around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also chop up the leaves and add them to your compost to improve soil quality.
5. Marigolds
Marigolds are an excellent companion plant for strawberries because they repel pests and insects. In addition, marigolds have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants.
How to grow marigolds?
Marigolds are easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant them in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use marigolds as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant marigolds around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also chop up the leaves and add them to your compost to improve soil quality.
6. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are an excellent companion plant for strawberries because they repel pests and insects. In addition, nasturtiums have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants.
How to grow nasturtiums?
Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant them in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use nasturtiums as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant nasturtiums around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also use the flowers and leaves in salads or as a garnish.
7. Onions
Onions are an excellent companion plant for strawberries because they repel pests and insects. In addition, onions have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants.
How to grow onions?
Onions are easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant them in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use onions as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant onions around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also chop up the leaves and add them to your compost to improve soil quality.
8. Peppermint
Peppermint is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it repels pests and insects. In addition, peppermint has a pleasant fragrance that can help to mask the scent of your strawberry plants, making them less attractive to pests.
How to grow peppermint?
Peppermint is easy to grow from cuttings or from transplants. Plant it in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use peppermint as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant peppermint around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also use the leaves to make tea or to flavor desserts.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it repels pests and insects. In addition, rosemary has a pleasant fragrance that can help to mask the scent of your strawberry plants, making them less attractive to pests.
How to grow rosemary?
Rosemary is easy to grow from cuttings or from transplants. Plant it in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use rosemary as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant rosemary around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also use the leaves to flavor meats and vegetables.
10. Sage
Sage is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it repels pests and insects. In addition, sage has a pleasant fragrance that can help to mask the scent of your strawberry plants, making them less attractive to pests.
How to grow sage?
Sage is easy to grow from cuttings or from transplants. Plant it in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use sage as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant sage around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also use the leaves to flavor meats and vegetables.
11. Spinach
Spinach is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it provides shade and helps to retain moisture in the soil. In addition, spinach has shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants.
How to grow spinach?
Spinach is easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant it in early spring in a shady location with well-drained soil.
How to use spinach as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant spinach around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to provide shade and retain moisture in the soil. You can also harvest the leaves for salads and other dishes.
12. Tansy
Tansy is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it repels pests and insects. In addition, tansy has deep roots that can help to break up compacted soil and improve drainage.
How to grow tansy?
Tansy is easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant it in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use tansy as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant tansy around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also chop up the leaves and add them to your compost to improve soil quality.
13. Thyme
Thyme is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it repels pests and insects. In addition, thyme has a pleasant fragrance that can help to mask the scent of your strawberry plants, making them less attractive to pests.
How to grow thyme?
Thyme is easy to grow from cuttings or from transplants. Plant it in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use thyme as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant thyme around the perimeter of your strawberry patch to repel pests. You can also use the leaves to flavor meats and vegetables.
14. Yarrow
Yarrow is an excellent companion plant for strawberries because it attracts predatory insects that can help to control pests. In addition, yarrow has deep roots that can help to break up compacted soil and improve drainage.
How to grow yarrow?
Yarrow is easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant it in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use yarrow as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant yarrow near your strawberry plants to attract predatory insects. You can also chop up the leaves and add them to your compost to improve soil quality.
15. Zinnias
Zinnias are an excellent companion plant for strawberries because they attract pollinators. In addition, zinnias have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants.
How to grow zinnias?
Zinnias are easy to grow from seed or from transplants. Plant them in early spring in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to use zinnias as a companion plant for strawberries?
Plant zinnias near your strawberry plants to attract pollinators. You can also use the flowers in bouquets or as a decoration.
Companion planting is a great way to maximize the yield of your strawberry plants. By growing different plants together that have beneficial interactions with each other, you can repel pests, improve soil quality, provide shade and support, and attract pollinators. Consider trying some of these companion plants for strawberries to help your plants thrive.
FAQs
1. Can I plant strawberries with tomatoes?
No, it is not recommended to plant strawberries with tomatoes. Both plants are susceptible to similar diseases, and planting them together can increase the risk of infection.
2. Can I plant strawberries with peppers?
Yes, strawberries can be planted with peppers. Peppers have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants, and they don't attract the same pests and diseases.
3. Can I plant strawberries with cucumbers?
Yes, strawberries can be planted with cucumbers. Cucumbers have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants, and they don't attract the same pests and diseases.
4. Can I plant strawberries with lettuce?
Yes, strawberries can be planted with lettuce. Lettuce provides shade and helps to retain moisture in the soil, which can benefit your strawberry plants.
5. Can I plant strawberries with onions?
Yes, onions are an excellent companion plant for strawberries. They repel pests and insects and have shallow roots that won't compete with the roots of your strawberry plants.
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