Companion Planting: The Ultimate Guide to Strawberry Companion Plants

The Importance of Companion Plants for Strawberries

Are you looking to grow juicy and flavorful strawberries in your garden? If yes, then you must understand the importance of companion planting. Companion plants are those plants that help each other to grow and thrive by providing nutrients, repelling pests, and attracting beneficial insects. In this blog post, we will discuss the best companion plants for strawberries, their benefits, and how to grow them together.

15 Best Companion Plants for Strawberries

1. Borage

Borage is a beautiful herb that has blue star-shaped flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. It is also excellent at repelling harmful insects such as tomato hornworms, cabbage worms, and aphids. Borage is rich in potassium, calcium, and other minerals that are essential for healthy plant growth.

To grow borage, sow the seeds directly in the soil in early spring or fall. Borage prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It grows up to 2 feet tall and requires regular watering.

2. Chives

Chives are a member of the onion family and have a delicious onion-like flavor. They repel aphids and other pests that attack strawberries. Chives are also rich in sulfur, which is essential for plant growth and development.

To grow chives, plant them in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water them regularly and fertilize them with compost or organic fertilizer.

3. Garlic

Garlic is another member of the onion family that repels harmful insects and pests. It is also rich in sulfur, which is essential for healthy plant growth. Garlic is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.

To grow garlic, plant the cloves in well-drained soil in the fall or early spring. Garlic prefers full sun and regular watering.

4. Marigolds

Marigolds are beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors such as yellow, orange, and red. They attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which feed on harmful insects such as aphids and whiteflies. Marigolds are also excellent at repelling nematodes, which are harmful to strawberry plants.

To grow marigolds, sow the seeds directly in the soil in the spring or transplant seedlings in the summer. Marigolds prefer well-drained soil and full sun.

5. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are beautiful flowers that have edible leaves and flowers. They attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies and repel harmful insects such as aphids and whiteflies. Nasturtiums are also rich in vitamin C, which is essential for healthy plant growth.

To grow nasturtiums, sow the seeds directly in the soil in the spring or transplant seedlings in the summer. Nasturtiums prefer well-drained soil and full sun.

6. Oregano

Oregano is a delicious herb that has antimicrobial properties, which help to prevent diseases in strawberries. It is also rich in antioxidants, which protect plants from harmful free radicals. Oregano is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.

To grow oregano, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

7. Parsley

Parsley is a delicious herb that is rich in nutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamin C. It attracts beneficial insects such as hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which feed on harmful insects such as aphids and whiteflies.

To grow parsley, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

8. Peppermint

Peppermint is a delicious herb that has a refreshing aroma. It repels harmful insects such as ants, aphids, and cabbage moths. Peppermint is also rich in essential oils, which help to prevent diseases in strawberries.

To grow peppermint, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

9. Rosemary

Rosemary is a delicious herb that has antimicrobial properties, which help to prevent diseases in strawberries. It is also rich in antioxidants, which protect plants from harmful free radicals. Rosemary is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.

To grow rosemary, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

10. Sage

Sage is a delicious herb that repels harmful insects such as cabbage moths, carrot flies, and slugs. It is also rich in antioxidants, which protect plants from harmful free radicals. Sage is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.

To grow sage, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

11. Spearmint

Spearmint is a delicious herb that repels harmful insects such as ants, aphids, and cabbage moths. It is also rich in essential oils, which help to prevent diseases in strawberries.

To grow spearmint, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

12. Tarragon

Tarragon is a delicious herb that attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. It is also rich in antioxidants, which protect plants from harmful free radicals. Tarragon is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.

To grow tarragon, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

13. Thyme

Thyme is a delicious herb that repels harmful insects such as cabbage worms, carrot flies, and slugs. It is also rich in essential oils, which help to prevent diseases in strawberries.

To grow thyme, plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area. Water it regularly and fertilize it with compost or organic fertilizer.

14. Yarrow

Yarrow is a beautiful flower that attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings. It is also rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and iron, which are essential for healthy plant growth.

To grow yarrow, sow the seeds directly in the soil in the spring or transplant seedlings in the summer. Yarrow prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

15. Zinnias

Zinnias are beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors such as pink, red, orange, and yellow. They attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies and repel harmful insects such as aphids and whiteflies.

To grow zinnias, sow the seeds directly in the soil in the spring or transplant seedlings in the summer. Zinnias prefer well-drained soil and full sun.

How to Grow Strawberries and Companion Plants Together

Now that we have discussed the best companion plants for strawberries let's discuss how to grow them together. First, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for your strawberry patch. Plant the strawberries about 12 inches apart in rows that are about 2 feet apart.

Once the strawberries are planted, you can plant the companion plants between the rows. Make sure to give each companion plant enough space to grow and thrive. Water the plants regularly and fertilize them with compost or organic fertilizer.

The Benefits of Companion Planting for Strawberries

Companion planting is an essential part of growing healthy and flavorful strawberries. By planting companion plants, you can improve soil health, repel harmful insects, and attract beneficial insects. Some of the best companion plants for strawberries include borage, chives, garlic, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, spearmint, tarragon, thyme, yarrow, and zinnias.

FAQs

Q1. What are companion plants?

Companion plants are those plants that help each other to grow and thrive by providing nutrients, repelling pests, and attracting beneficial insects.

Q2. Why are companion plants important for strawberries?

Companion plants are important for strawberries because they improve soil health, repel harmful insects, and attract beneficial insects.

Q3. What are some of the best companion plants for strawberries?

Some of the best companion plants for strawberries include borage, chives, garlic, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, spearmint, tarragon, thyme, yarrow, and zinnias.

Q4. How do you plant companion plants with strawberries?

To plant companion plants with strawberries, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for your strawberry patch. Plant the strawberries about 12 inches apart in rows that are about 2 feet apart. Once the strawberries are planted, you can plant the companion plants between the rows.

Q5. How do you care for companion plants?

To care for companion plants, water them regularly and fertilize them with compost or organic fertilizer. Make sure to give each companion plant enough space to grow and thrive.