Can strawberries and blueberries grow together? Strawberries and blueberries are similar garden fruit that can be planted in containers or raised beds. Both are easy fruit gardens to grow with similar growth requirements however most gardeners claim they are too fussy about pH levels to be planted together but with proper care, they are considered ideal companion plants.
Blueberries and strawberries are the two most common garden fruits. Although strawberries happen to be more popular in recipes, most people find blueberries to be the tamer version of it. Both are low-calorie fruits, but strawberries are considered much lower in calories than blueberries.
Blueberries and strawberries might have similar planting requirements, but they don’t produce fruit at the same time.
A bowl of blueberries according to research can help improve your immune system and a cup of fresh strawberries support heart health. So these two fruits are beneficial for your health and are worth planting in your garden. All types of berries need lots of sunlight and water to thrive which is why most gardeners don’t have them grown together.
Companion planting is an essential garden method for the health of your garden. So, while strawberries and blueberries are discovered to have similar growth needs, this might not make them ideal companions. Read on to find out if strawberries and blueberries can be grown together.
Can Strawberries And Blueberries Grow Together?
Strawberries and blueberries have similar root systems hence they are expected to be great companions to each other.
Strawberries and blueberries are not just great to have in the same recipe in the kitchen but can be mixed together in your garden as well. These two garden fruits are useful landscape plants and when strawberries are not producing fruits, they can work as evergreen ground cover.
Lots of gardeners are skeptical about planting strawberries and blueberries together, but this can be achieved with some effort. There are many types of blueberry bushes so you might want to pick one that won’t stunt the growth of your strawberries.
Although these two don’t produce fruits at the same time, they are still known to produce tasty fruits and when you do care for them properly, they will grow in fall again for a while. Strawberries are more prone to pests, so you are going to take extra care to get rid of pests and bugs.
In conclusion, strawberries, and blueberries can be planted together but ensure to provide enough nutrients and water, so they don’t compete with each other.
How To Keep Pests Away From Strawberries And Blueberries
Strawberries and blueberries are both prone to certain bugs and pests and certain measures need to be taken to prevent them from feeding on your berries.
One way to get rid of pests is to grow trap crops that will lure these pests away from your plants. There are companion plants that can be planted together with these fruits to deter pests. There are also organic methods but to make this understandable, we have listed simple but effective ways to get rid of garden pests.
- Homemade strawberry insecticides
- Plants such as chives, cloves, onions and garlic can help deter pests
- Scarecrow is a good way to keep birds away
- Organic pest control
- Copper strips can placed around the perimeter of the garden to deter slugs.
What not to plant near strawberries?
While there are lots of plants that can be of benefit to strawberries, they are also plants you should not row near them. Avoid planting strawberries with any of the following listed below.
- Cabbages
- Broccoli
- Eggplant
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Mint
- Okra.
Keep in mind that strawberries shouldn’t be planted in beds that housed any of the plants listed above either.
What not to plant near blueberries?
Unlike strawberries, blueberries are considered more tolerant of other plants as companions. However, blueberries are not heavy feeders hence they should not be planted with plants that are heavy feeders and require a large amount of compost and organic matter. You can harm your blueberry bushes by planting them near the plants listed below.
- Eggplants
- Sweet potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Fennel.
Can you grow strawberries and blueberries in the same container?
To enjoy strawberries and blueberries, you do not need a large yard as these two can be planted together in the same container and bed. These two have similar planting requirements, so they can be planted together in not just containers but on the patio, decks, or small space garden beds.
Wrapping Up
Blueberries and strawberries will do great planted alongside some vegetables such as lettuce, kale, asparagus, artichoke, and turnips.
Strawberries and blueberries are not picky with their companions but ensure not to pick plants that compete with them for nutrients. Most importantly, soil that has different soil pH with strawberries and blueberries will possibly not survive or thrive in the acidic pH.
More on planting strawberries:
- Can Strawberries And Tomatoes Grow Together?
- Will Strawberries Grow In Full, Partial Shades, Or In The Open?
- Growing Strawberry In Fall (All You Should Know)
- Can Strawberries And Roses Be Planted Together?
- Can Garlic And Strawberries Be Planted Together?
- Will Strawberries Grow In Sandy Soil?
- Can Strawberries And Kiwi Fruits Be Planted Together?