Companion planting involves growing different crops close together to encourage natural benefits, such as enhanced growth, conserved space, and organic pest control. This method relies on plants supporting one another through physical structure, resource use, or chemical emissions. Gardeners often seek guidance on combining popular crops like garlic and strawberries to see if they can thrive together. This article provides practical advice for successfully interplanting these two crops.
Basic Compatibility
The core question of whether garlic and strawberries can grow together has a definitive answer: yes, they are highly compatible. This pairing works primarily because the two plants occupy different zones within the soil, minimizing resource competition. Strawberry plants are characterized by a shallow root system, with the majority of their root mass developing in the top six inches (about 15 centimeters) of the soil.
Garlic, conversely, develops a deeper, bulbous root structure as it matures, allowing it to access water and nutrients from lower soil levels. This difference in rooting depth means the plants do not significantly compete for the same water and nutrient resources. Furthermore, both plants have compatible soil pH preferences. Strawberries thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil, ideally between pH 5.3 and 6.5, and preparing the soil for strawberries creates a suitable environment for garlic as well.
Garlic’s Role in Strawberry Protection
The primary reason this pairing is so popular is the significant protective benefit that garlic provides to its strawberry neighbors. Garlic’s natural defense mechanism, driven by its sulfur compounds, releases a pungent aroma that acts as a strong deterrent to many common strawberry pests. This chemical shield helps to repel insects that damage the plant and reduce overall infestation rates.
This deterrent effect is particularly potent against soft-bodied pests such as aphids, spider mites, greenfly, and whitefly. Interplanting garlic has been shown in some studies to reduce the population of spider mites on strawberries by a substantial margin, ranging from 44% to 65%. The strong smell also discourages ground-level pests like slugs and snails, which are notorious for damaging ripe strawberry fruit.
Garlic also possesses natural fungicidal properties that benefit the strawberry plants. The compounds released by the garlic help suppress the development of fungal diseases that frequently plague strawberry patches. This natural defense is particularly helpful in managing issues like powdery mildew and gray mold, which thrive in the dense, moist conditions of a strawberry bed. Planting garlic alongside strawberries creates a preventative barrier that promotes overall plant health.
Planting Strategy
Implementing this companion planting strategy requires careful attention to spacing and timing to ensure both crops thrive. To minimize competition and maximize the protective effect, garlic cloves should be planted approximately four to six inches away from each strawberry plant. An alternative method involves planting a central row of garlic, with cloves spaced three to four inches apart, and then positioning the strawberry plants five to six inches from the center of that row on both sides.
Timing the planting is also an important factor, particularly in regions with cold winters. Garlic is typically planted in the fall to allow for root establishment before the ground freezes. If planting perennial strawberries, the garlic can be planted in the fall and the strawberry plants added in the early spring. For both plants, the soil should be thoroughly amended with compost before planting, as garlic is considered a heavy feeder and this helps reduce nutrient competition with the strawberries.
When the garlic is ready for harvest, typically in early to mid-summer, gardeners must be cautious not to disturb the shallow, established roots of the strawberry plants. Instead of simply pulling the garlic, which can damage the neighboring roots, it is advisable to use a hand trowel. This tool can be inserted vertically alongside the garlic bulb and used to gently pry the bulb out of the soil, ensuring the strawberry root system remains intact. Choosing a hardneck variety of garlic may also simplify the harvest process, as softneck varieties are more prone to breaking off and requiring more disruptive digging.