Top Strawberry-Friendly Plants and Those to Steer Clear Of for Optimal Growth

Grow some sweetness and fun into your yard with these badass companion plants for strawberries! From asparagus and bush beans to borage and catnip, these badass buddies will help your strawberries thrive with minimal effort.

First things first, when planting your badass besties, remember that strawberry plants can be stingy bitches with their space. They produce runners and sprawl, so make sure they have room to roam. And while they're wined and dined by their fellow plants, keep an eye on any perennials close by - the crowbar might be needed every few years.

Here are twelve badass companion plants for strawberries, along with a brief rundown of why they're scenester-approved:

Asparagus - This vertical-growing perennial complements the low, sprawling growth of strawberries without competing for nutrients down below.
Bush Beans - Legumes like beans fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available for strawberries to gobble up and use. Plant them as a border around or in rows among your strawberries. Need shade for your pole beans or peas? Plant 'em on the north side, far from the light-loving strawberries.
Borage - Borage is a well-deserved alley cat among companion plants. It deters pests, attracts beneficial insects, and pulls up minerals from the soil for the strawberries to enjoy. Plus, it's rumored to improve the flavor of your berries - they'll taste like the nectar of the gods!
Caraway - Caraway is another herb that deserves more attention. It's great for soups, curries, and seasoning meat, and it attracts parasitic wasps and flies that prey on mites, aphids, and other damaging insect pests. Planting caraway is like inviting a heavyweight champion to the party - watch those pests flee!
Catnip - If you're tired of battling mites and aphids on your strawberries, catnip might be the hypebeast companion plant you need. Its strong scent will keep damaging insects at bay and even deter larger pests, like deer and mice. Don't worry, your precious kitty will still love you.
Chives - Chives have a small footprint, and they don't compete with strawberries space-wise. They're also known for deterring insect pests and attracting pollinators, and some gardeners claim they can enhance the flavor of strawberries grown nearby.
Onions - Onions deter a variety of pests with their pungent aroma, including onion flies and ermine moths, which love to make strawberry plants their buffet.
Rhubarb - Strawberry-rhubarb pie not sweet enough for you? Plant these perennials together, and you'll be whipping up a heavenly addiction in no time. Their roots grow in different levels of the soil, so they won't compete for resources. Plus, a clump of strawberries can help reduce weeds and retain moisture around your beloved rhubarb.
Sage - Insect pests often cannot stomach the earthy scent of sage, which is music to a gardener's ears (and nose). Let the sage flower to attract some beneficial insects, like bees and butterflies, for added benefits.
Spinach - Strawberry spinach salad, anyone? Leafy spring greens pair perfectly with strawberries in the garden and the salad bowl. They'll help hide the sweet berries from hungry pests, and some gardeners claim they can even improve the flavor of your strawberries.
Thyme - Thyme helps deter insect pests and attracts pollinators with its lovely little flowers. You might as well plant it; it's a winner, winner, chicken dinner for your badass strawberry garden lineup.

Who Said No to These?

While strawberries have several companions who want to hang with them, there are a few plants they'd rather keep their distance from:

Brassicas: Members of the cabbage family are heavy feeders that tend to compete with strawberries for nutrients essential for healthy growth.
Fennel: Fennel hinders the growth of nearby plants, including the sweet and tender strawberries. Be cautious if you're growing fennel in your backyard; it tends to be a bad influence on other plants.
Melons: Strawberries are prone to the soil-borne fungal disease verticillium wilt, and melons are one of the plants that tend to harbor and spread the disease. Plus, melons might compete with strawberries for space with their vining habits.
Mint: Mint is a known carrier of verticillium wilt, and it's best to keep it confined to its own well-contained bed or container to contain its runaway root system.
Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplants): Nightshades share verticillium wilt with strawberries. With tomatoes and peppers potentially shading out your precious strawberries, it's best to keep these guys at arm's length.

Spread the Love

Strawberry plants grow happily alongside many companion plants, provided you keep other verticillium wilt-prone plants (and a few other bad vibes) at a distance. Whether you choose to grow your strawberries in a raised bed, containers, or directly in the ground, a few badass besties can give them an extra boost and lead to a more productive and beautiful garden. Embrace your inner grower, and watch your strawberry patch flourish like never before!

Sources:

[1] Hobby Farms, (2021). The Ultimate Guide to Companion Planting for Strawberries. Retrieved from: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/companion-planting-for-strawberries-ultimate-guide/

[2] Backyard Vegetable Garden, (2021). The Best and Worst Companion Plants for Strawberries. Retrieved from: https://backyardvegetablegarden.com/companion-plants-for-strawberries/

[3] Vegetable Gardener, (2022). Increase Your Vegetable Garden's Biodiversity with Companion Planting. Retrieved from: https://www.thevegetablegardener.co.uk/how-to/companion-planting-for-beginners/

[4] Sunset, (2022). Growing Strawberries in Your Garden. Retrieved from: https://www.sunset.com/garden/vegetables-berries/grow-strawberries/

[5] Garden Myths, (2021). Garlic as a Pest Repellent. Retrieved from: https://gardenmyths.com/garlic-pest-repellent/

For a vibrant and bountiful garden, consider growing herbs like chives, thyme, and caraway with your strawberries; these perennials not only repel pests but also attract pollinators.
Don't forget the decorative factor; plant flowers like borage and catnip near your strawberries to not only add beauty to your yard but also deter pests such as mites and aphids.
Expand your culinary horizons by growing vegetables like bush beans, peas, spinach, and beets alongside your strawberries; they not only complement each other in terms of space and nutrients but also lend themselves to delicious recipes in food-and-drink and home-and-garden publications.
If you have space, consider growing perennials like asparagus, rhubarb, and sage; not only do they enhance the appearance of your garden, but they also help improve the flavor and overall health of your strawberries.
Gather your gardening tools, and prepare the soil for planting annuals and perennials, as their different growth cycles can benefit each other and help maintain a thriving garden ecosystem.
When planning your garden layout, keep in mind which plants can negatively impact strawberries' growth, such as brassicas, fennel, melons, mint, and nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplants), and aim to plant them at a safe distance from strawberries to prevent any potential competition for nutrients or space.
To avoid soil-borne fungal diseases like verticillium wilt, be mindful of the proximity of plants that are prone to carrying the disease; keep plants like melons and mint at a safe distance from your strawberries.
Embrace the gardening lifestyle; as you tend to your garden, you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor not just in your meals but also in the aesthetic appeal of your garden, enhancing the overall look and feel of your home and lifestyle.