Polyculture and Interplanting With Strawberries
Knowing which works grow well with strawberries and which do n’t is an authoritative consideration when planning your garden . Although " companion planting " is an often - misused full term based on older and unfounded theories that are for the most part anecdotical , it does have certain practical software and proven success rate within the realm of scientific research .
The practice of " polyculture , " or maturate two or more differenttypesof plants together can be more good than " monoculture , " or the practice of growing only one type of plant in an area . Companion planting distinguish the interactive relationship between plants in a polyculture .
Strawberries ( Fragariaxananassa ) are widely grown within USDA plant hardiness zone 4 to 9 for their sugary , fragrant fruit , which attract cuss eager to dine on these succulent fruits . Doing everything you could to keep plants sound and pest free is a upright idea . Fortunately , there are a fistful of common garden industrial plant that grow well alongside strawberry and facilitate plump for their maturation while keep some pests at bay .
Companion Plants for Strawberries
A handful of plants playact as good companions to strawberry . Whether they attract beneficial insects such as pollinators , ward off pests or apportion the same growing conditions , the respectable strawberry fellow traveler plants will avail keep your Chuck Berry plants healthy and productive .
Borage
Borage ( Borago officinalis ) is a enceinte companion plant for strawberry . This splashy , over-embellished - flowered annual herbaceous plant attracts pollinating bee and pestis - kill wasps . One drawback to borage is that the matured leave are scratchy and can rag sore tegument , so raise Borago officinalis near the edge of your strawberry mark patch to keep it out of the mode .
Spinach
Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ) grows well with strawberries because it shares the same get condition , so they can inhabit the same garden bed . Spinach also shade the soil well with its broad leaf , which will aid suppress skunk growth around strawberry mark .
Thyme
Aromatic , low - sustainment thyme ( Thymus vulgaris , zones 5 to 9 ) is another excellent companion for hemangioma simplex plants . It deters cabbage worms and attracts hoverflies , which run on diffused - bodied pest such as slugs , aphids , thripid and caterpillars . Thyme form dear as a companion when planted in a borderline around a strawberry seam .
Marigolds
Marigolds ( Tagetesspp . ) partake the same mature shape as strawberry mark . These plant can aid protect strawberry mark from base - knot nematodes . French marigold ( Tagetes patula ) , in particular , declare oneself strong tribute against roundworm . Most marigold are grown as yearly so you must replace them each outflow .
Just planting a few marigold plants around strawberry is not the recommend strategy for suppressing source - knot roundworm though . For this biological ascendancy method to be efficient , raise marigold densely on the offer strawberry situation the yearbeforeplanting your harvest , and till them into the ground at the close of the season . This releases the nematode worm - subdue chemicals into the soil .
Alliums
Alliums such as onions ( Allium cepa ) and chives ( Allium schoenoprasum , zone 3 to 9 ) make full familiar for strawberries , because they push back pests with their strong scent — and they also draw pollinators with their showy blossom .
Legumes
strawberry grow well with legume such as bush beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) . legume are nitrogen - fixing yearbook that will improve the soil around your fruit and veggie garden , which will assist boost your strawberry crop .
Caraway
Although caraway ( Carum carvi , zones 3 to 9 ) is less common than many herbs , it is a beneficial plant life if you are growing strawberry mark . It draw parasitic wasps , lacewing fly and flies that bung on the tinge and aphids that typically damage strawberry .
White Clover
White clover ( Trifolium repens , zona 4 to 9 ) is another beneficial companion for strawberry . Interplanting white clover groundcover between strawberry mark row creates a living mulch , which protects the strawberry plants from moisture and temperature fluctuations .
Like legumes , ashen clover will also ready N into the soil to encourage firm foliage growth in strawberry and other plants nearby .
Plants to Avoid Near Strawberries
Not all plants turn well with strawberries , and some are so harmful that strawberry should not be develop in the same dirt where these plants have raise in premature years .
Brassica Species
The brassica household of plants let in Brassica oleracea italica ( Brassica oleraceavar.botrytis),cabbage ( Brassica oleraceavar.capitata ) and collards ( Brassica oleraceavar.acephala ) .
All brassicas contend with strawberries for nutrients and water , which can do both works to execute poorly . For that reason , they should n’t be grown as strawberry familiar .
Nightshade Species
Nightshade crop such as love apple ( Solanum Lycopersicon , zones 10 to 11 ) , Madagascar pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) , eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) and even tater ( Solanum tuberosum ) should not be arise near strawberries because they attract aphids . They also draw in and often host nematode that will damage hemangioma simplex plants , as well as the extremely detrimental fungous disease verticillium .
Melons and Other Cucurbits
The job with planting strawberry near cucurbits such as cucumbers ( Cucumis sativus ) and melons ( Cucumis melo ) is a affair of space . Cucurbits spread their long stem over the surrounding soil while strawberry spread and reproduce via runner . They can not share the same space without one of the plant suffering from a lack of space and resource .
Okra
Another problematical works to grow in a hemangioma simplex patch is gumbo ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) . Like nightshade metal money , okra also draw in or harbors the fungous disease verticillium . The menace of verticillium contagion is serious , so you should not turn strawberries in a layer where Hibiscus esculentus or nightshade metal money have been work in former yr .
Growing Strawberries at Home
Choosing companion works is only the beginning of grow strawberries . They also need secure growing conditions , correct planting and the correct kind of care to produce a craw of berries .
Growing Conditions
strawberry grow best in full sun on fertile , well - drain soil . Choose a site that receives 6 to 10 hours of direct sun .
better remains soil with a 4 - column inch stratum of compost that you work into the soil , and plant the strawberry transplants on mounds , shout the mound method , to allow for drainage .
you may also choose other planting method acting for strawberry mark , such as the tangle - row , prove - bottom and ribbon methods . Amend sandy filth with a 1 - inch level of compost worked into the soil to improve its moisture retentivity and nutrient content .
Planting Strawberries
Plant strawberry in spring as soon as the dirt warms . If planting in run-in , the plant should be spaced 18 inches aside in rows with 4 invertebrate foot of space between them . If implant on hills , plants should be spaced 12 inches apart with 2 to 3 feet between rows . all-inclusive space will supply enough room to walk between the plants at harvest time . address the roots of the works , but pull up stakes the crown at soil - level .
Spread a few inches of straw mulch between the plant and along the course to conserve soil wet and to keep weeds down .
Care Basics
strawberry mark plants need continual care during the growing time of year . Watering is the most important part of care for strawberries , but giving plant food is also beneficial for strawberry rise in sandy soil .
