What Should Strawberries Not Be Planted Near?

Bad Companions

• Due to the high incidence of diseases like verticillum and bacterial wilts and viruses like the tobacco mosaic virus, plants in the nightshade family which include peppers, tomatoes and eggplant, should never be planted near strawberries for the sake of the strawberries. On the other hand, strawberries adversely affect the growth and production of members of the cabbage family and should not be planted in close proximity to them.

Good Companions

• A number of herbs and vegetables increase yield and reduce pest infestations in strawberries. At the top of the list is the cucumber-flavored herb borage. Borage not only deters pests and attracts pollinators and predatory insects like the praying mantis, it also improves the flavor of strawberries grown nearby. Legumes, like bush beans and lupins, improve the nitrogen content of the soil, increasing yields. Caraway, watermelon and asparagus also are mutually beneficial for strawberries.

Nightshade

• Not only is it important to avoid companion planting with members of the nightshade family, but they should not have been planted in the same soil within a span of four years. Viruses like wilt can live in the soil for years, and then infect your strawberry plants after they are planted. Wilts attack the vascular system of the plant, and can be identified by dissecting the stem and noting a darkening between the skin and the core. Tobacco mosaic virus is not only spread by other plants but can also be transmitted on the hands of tobacco users.

Planting

• Plant strawberries and their companions in well-drained soil, in either hills or matted rows. Strawberries spread through runners, with daughter plants establishing to the sides of the mother plant. Be sure to adhere to proper planting distances when companion planting so root systems do not compete for space and nutrients.