Bad Companion Plants For Strawberries That Will Ruin Your Harvest

July 02, 2023 Post a Comment

Title: Bad Companion Plants for Strawberries That Will Ruin Your Harvest

Introduction:

Strawberries are a delicious and versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But did you know that there are some plants that you should avoid planting near your strawberries? These so-called "bad companion plants" can actually ruin your harvest.

In this blog post, we will discuss the bad companion plants for strawberries and why you should avoid planting them together. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the best companion plants for your strawberries.

Main Content:

There are a number of reasons why you should avoid planting certain plants near your strawberries. Some of these plants can compete with strawberries for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Others can attract pests or diseases that can damage your strawberry plants.

Here are some of the bad companion plants for strawberries:

Brassicas: This family of plants includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Brassicas are heavy feeders and can compete with strawberries for nutrients. They can also attract pests such as aphids and cabbage worms.
Nightshades: This family of plants includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers. Nightshades are susceptible to a disease called verticillium wilt, which can also infect strawberries. Planting these plants together can increase the risk of your strawberries contracting verticillium wilt.
Fennel: Fennel is a strong-flavored herb that can inhibit the growth of strawberries. It can also attract pests such as Japanese beetles.
Mint: Mint is a vigorous grower that can quickly take over a garden. It can also crowd out strawberries and prevent them from getting enough sunlight.
Melons: Melons are heavy feeders and can compete with strawberries for nutrients. They can also attract pests such as cucumber beetles.

If you are planning to plant strawberries in your garden, it is important to avoid planting these bad companion plants nearby. By choosing the right companion plants, you can help to ensure a healthy and bountiful strawberry harvest.

Tips for Choosing Companion Plants for Strawberries:

Plants that attract beneficial insects: Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, can help to control pests that damage strawberry plants. Some good companion plants for strawberries that attract beneficial insects include chives, garlic, onions, and marigolds.
Plants that improve soil quality: Strawberries need well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Some good companion plants for strawberries that improve soil quality include beans, peas, and clover.
Plants that shade the soil: Strawberries can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet. Some good companion plants for strawberries that shade the soil include lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard.

Conclusion:

By avoiding bad companion plants and choosing the right companion plants, you can help to ensure a healthy and bountiful strawberry harvest. By following these tips, you can enjoy delicious, homegrown strawberries all season long.

There are some plants that should not be planted near strawberries, as they can compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight. These "bad companion plants" for strawberries include:

Brassicas: This includes plants like kale, broccoli, and cauliflower. These plants attract pests that can also damage strawberries.
Fennel: Fennel can actually stunt the growth of strawberries.
Potatoes: Potatoes and strawberries share a common pest, the Colorado potato beetle. Planting these two plants together can make it more difficult to control the pest.

For more information about bad companion plants for strawberries, visit this website: https://www.homefortheharvest.com/companion-plants-for-strawberries/.

FAQ of bad companion plants for strawberries

Question: What are some bad companion plants for strawberries?

Answer: There are a few plants that should not be planted near strawberries, as they can stunt growth, attract pests, or spread diseases. These include:

Tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, and melons: These plants are all susceptible to verticillium wilt, a fungus that can also infect strawberries.
Cabbage family members: These plants, such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts, compete with strawberries for nutrients and can also attract pests.
Fennel: Fennel has a strong scent that can inhibit the growth of strawberries and even prevent the germination of their seeds.
Mint: Mint is another plant with a strong scent that can compete with strawberries for water and nutrients. It can also spread aggressively, making it difficult to control.

Question: What are some good companion plants for strawberries?

Answer: There are a number of plants that make good companions for strawberries, as they can help to improve their growth, repel pests, or improve the flavor of the fruit. These include:

Beans: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit strawberries.
Chives: Chives repel aphids and other pests that can damage strawberries.
Lettuce: Lettuce helps to suppress weeds and improve the drainage of the soil.
Onions: Onions repel nematodes, which can damage strawberries.
Peas: Peas fix nitrogen in the soil and can help to shade strawberries from the sun.
Radishes: Radishes help to improve the drainage of the soil and can help to deter pests.
Spinach: Spinach helps to suppress weeds and improve the drainage of the soil.

Question: How far apart should I plant strawberries from other plants?

Answer: The best distance to plant strawberries from other plants depends on the specific plants involved. However, as a general rule, you should plant strawberries at least 18 inches apart. This will give them enough room to grow and spread without competing with each other for resources.

Question: What can I do if I accidentally plant bad companion plants near my strawberries?

Answer: If you accidentally plant bad companion plants near your strawberries, you can try to remove them as soon as possible. However, if the plants have already been established, it may be difficult to remove them without damaging your strawberries. In this case, you may need to do some replanting.

Image of bad companion plants for strawberries

Tomatoes. Tomatoes are in the nightshade family, and they can both share and spread verticillium wilt, a fungal disease.
Eggplant. Eggplant is another member of the nightshade family, and it is also susceptible to verticillium wilt.
Potatoes. Potatoes are also susceptible to verticillium wilt, and they can also compete with strawberries for nutrients.
Peppers. Peppers are another member of the nightshade family, and they can also share and spread verticillium wilt.
Roses. Roses can attract pests that can also damage strawberries, such as aphids and spider mites.
Cucumbers. Cucumbers are susceptible to verticillium wilt, and they can also compete with strawberries for nutrients.
Mint. Mint can be aggressive and crowd out strawberries. It can also attract pests, such as tarnished plant bugs.
Okra. Okra is susceptible to verticillium wilt, and it can also compete with strawberries for nutrients.
Cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, can stunt the growth of strawberries.
Fennel. Fennel can attract pests that can also damage strawberries, such as aphids and spider mites.