Which plants harm strawberry growth nearby?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Strawberries do best when planned for neighboring questions. I once had all die in a bed due to verticillium wilt from a patch of tomatoes nearby - all my fault and it was an important lesson about garden planning. Some plants are too aggressive for strawberries and others can spread diseases that strawberries are highly susceptible to.
Cabbage Family
- Competes for nitrogen and phosphorus
- Attracts root maggots that spread to strawberries
- Includes broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts
Nightshades
- Tomatoes/peppers carry verticillium wilt
- Shared pest: Colorado potato beetle
- Soil-borne fungi persist 5+ years
Soil contamination from the nightshades can persist for several years. I incorporate the cycle of rotating my beds on a six-year rotation where strawberries are only planted where beans or onions grew previously. The raised beds with fresh soil provide some buffer for eliminating legacy pathogens that can kill strawberry roots.
Barrier Crops
- Buckwheat: Blocks cabbage moths
- Nasturtiums: Trap aphids
- Chives: Deter beetles
Soil Care
- Solarize soil at 160°F for 6 hours
- Test for verticillium spores
- Add mycorrhizal fungi to boost defenses
Planting strawberries incorrectly cost me three seasons, but I now use raised beds separated by gravel paths to separate strawberry patches. Companion planting with borage improved yields by 20% - borage has star-shaped flowers that feed pollinators and repel tomato hornworms.
Read the full article: How to Grow Strawberries: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
