Perfect 8 Alpine Strawberry Companion Plants and 6 to Avoid

Whether you’re aiming for a sustainable garden or just starting, understanding which plants complement your alpine strawberries can significantly impact their growth and yield. Let’s explore the perfect alpine strawberry companion plants and those to avoid ensuring your alpine strawberries flourish.

Good Alpine Strawberry Companion Plants

Borage

Borage is an excellent companion plant for alpine strawberries because it attracts beneficial pollinators and deters pests. Known for its striking blue flowers and cucumber-flavored leaves, borage enhances the growth and flavor of strawberries. To plant borage with alpine strawberries:

1. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
2. Sow borage seeds directly into the ground, spacing them about 12 inches apart from your strawberry plants.
3. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
4. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Adding borage to your garden not only supports your alpine strawberries but also brings a splash of color and a beneficial ecosystem. Discover more about borage companion planting and how it can enhance your garden’s health and beauty.

Thyme

Thyme is another admirable ally for alpine strawberries. This herb acts as a ground cover, reducing weed growth and retaining soil moisture. Thyme’s strong scent also repels pests, protecting your strawberries. To integrate thyme into your strawberry garden:

1. Select a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
2. Plant thyme seedlings around the base of your strawberry plants, ensuring there is enough space for air circulation.
3. Water the plants moderately, as thyme prefers drier conditions.
4. Trim the thyme occasionally to encourage a bushy growth and prevent it from overpowering the strawberries.

Incorporating thyme not only keeps your alpine strawberries healthy but also provides you with fresh herbs for your kitchen. Learn more about thyme companion planting to maximize the benefits in your garden.

Garlic

Garlic acts as a powerful companion for alpine strawberries by deterring pests such as aphids and spider mites. The strong smell of garlic is believed to mask the scent of strawberries, keeping pests at bay. Here’s how to plant garlic with your alpine strawberries:

1. Plant garlic cloves in the fall, around the perimeter of your strawberry patch.
2. Ensure each clove is planted 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart from strawberry plants.
3. Water sparingly, as garlic does not require much moisture.
4. Harvest the garlic once the tops begin to die back, typically in late spring or early summer.

Garlic not only protects your strawberries but also contributes to a diverse and aromatic garden. Dive deeper into garlic companion planting to learn how it can shield and enrich your garden ecosystem.

Marigolds

Marigolds are a vibrant addition to any strawberry garden, offering dual benefits as a companion plant. They repel harmful nematodes in the soil and attract pollinators with their bright flowers. To plant marigolds with your alpine strawberries:

1. Choose a sunny location, as marigolds thrive in direct sunlight.
2. Plant marigold seeds or seedlings between strawberry rows, spacing them about 10 inches apart.
3. Water regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist.
4. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the growing season.

Marigolds not only protect your strawberries but also add a cheerful burst of color to your garden. For more insights, explore marigold companion planting and its benefits for a vibrant and healthy garden.

Chives

Chives, with their subtle onion flavor, are a fantastic companion for alpine strawberries. They deter pests such as aphids and Japanese beetles while enhancing the taste and growth of strawberries. Here’s how to co-plant chives and alpine strawberries:

1. Plant chives in early spring, around the edges of your strawberry patch.
2. Keep chive plants about 8 inches away from strawberries to avoid competition for nutrients.
3. Water consistently, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
4. Cut back chives to about 5 inches tall after flowering to promote a second growth spurt.

Integrating chives into your strawberry patch not only boosts plant health but also provides you with a fresh herb supply. Discover the advantages of chive companion planting for a more robust and aromatic garden.

Sage

Sage offers great companionship to alpine strawberries by repelling common pests and attracting beneficial insects. Its strong scent and drought-resistant qualities make it a garden favorite. To successfully pair sage with alpine strawberries:

1. Plant sage in well-draining soil that receives full sunlight.
2. Space sage plants at least 18 inches apart from strawberry plants to ensure ample growth space.
3. Water the sage lightly; it thrives in dry conditions similar to Mediterranean climates.
4. Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent the sage from overshadowing the strawberries.

Sage not only complements your strawberries but also brings culinary versatility to your garden. Enhance your garden’s ecosystem by exploring sage companion planting.

Spinach

Spinach serves as a beneficial companion to alpine strawberries by creating a microclimate that retains soil moisture and prevents weeds. The leafy greens also benefit from the shade provided by strawberry plants, which can extend their growing season. To co-plant spinach with alpine strawberries:

1. Choose a spot with partial shade to protect spinach from the midday sun.
2. Sow spinach seeds directly into the soil, spacing them about 6 inches apart from strawberry plants.
3. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
4. Harvest spinach leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth.

By planting spinach near your strawberries, you not only optimize garden space but also enjoy a harvest of leafy greens. Learn more about spinach companion planting for a fruitful garden.

Lettuce

Lettuce is another leafy green that pairs well with alpine strawberries, benefiting from the cooler soil and shared water requirements. The proximity to strawberries can help deter certain pests, making it a practical and aesthetic choice. Planting lettuce with alpine strawberries involves:

1. Selecting a partially shaded area to prevent lettuce from bolting in hot weather.
2. Spacing lettuce seeds or seedlings about 8 inches from strawberry plants to allow room for growth.
3. Watering regularly to maintain evenly moist soil, which is vital for both crops.
4. Harvesting lettuce leaves from the outside to encourage a longer production period.

Incorporating lettuce into your strawberry patch maximizes space and provides a continuous supply of fresh greens. Dive into lettuce companion planting to enhance your gardening techniques.

Plants to Avoid Pairing with Alpine Strawberries

While many plants complement alpine strawberries, some can be detrimental to their health and productivity. Here are six plants to keep away from your strawberry patch:

Cabbage

Cabbage and its family members can attract pests that also enjoy feasting on strawberries, such as aphids and flea beetles. The large leaves of cabbage plants can also overshadow strawberries, hindering their growth. Avoid planting cabbage near strawberries to prevent competition and pest attraction.

Potatoes

Potatoes can increase the risk of blight—a disease that can also affect strawberries. Keeping these plants apart helps prevent the spread of this disease and ensures that both crops can thrive without the risk of contamination.

Peppers

Peppers, like potatoes, are susceptible to verticillium wilt, a soil-borne disease that can also affect strawberries. Planting peppers away from strawberries minimizes the risk of transferring this disease and protects the health of your strawberry plants.

Eggplants

Eggplants share common pests with strawberries, such as spider mites and aphids. Planting them together can lead to an increased pest population, endangering both crops. It’s best to separate these plants in your garden layout.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes can harbor verticillium wilt and other fungal diseases, which are harmful to strawberries. Keeping tomatoes separate from strawberries reduces the risk of disease transmission and ensures healthier growth for both plants.

Melons

Melons require a lot of space and water, which can lead to competition with strawberry plants. Additionally, melons can attract pests that may also target strawberries. It’s advisable to plant melons in a different part of the garden to avoid these issues.

Companion Planting Chart for Alpine Strawberries

To summarize, here’s a quick reference chart detailing the best companion plants for alpine strawberries and the reasons they are beneficial:

Companion Plant	Benefits
Borage	Attracts pollinators, deters pests
Thyme	Acts as ground cover, repels pests
Garlic	Deters pests, enhances flavor
Marigolds	Repels soil nematodes, attracts pollinators
Chives	Deters pests, enhances growth
Sage	Repels pests, attracts beneficial insects
Spinach	Retains soil moisture, prevents weeds
Lettuce	Benefits from shared water requirements, deters pests

By choosing the right companions for your alpine strawberries, you can create a symbiotic environment that promotes healthy growth, deters pests, and maximizes your garden’s yield. Explore each companion plant further and consider their benefits as you plan your garden layout.