Luckily, there are several plants that repel and deter pests and attract beneficial insects.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion plantingis the practice of placing plant species near one another for mutual benefit.
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Youll often find conflicting information about which plants work well as companion plants.
As leaf lettuces grow larger, they can camouflage the bright red berries from hungry birds.
There is some evidence that they can help suppress fusarium wilt, a fungus, that can affect strawberries.
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And their strong odor works as a natural repellent against slugs and aphids.
Chivesperform double duty as a strawberry companion plant.
The saponins in spinach act as a natural repellent of garden pests.
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Dill’s time to shine as a companion plant, however, comes when it has started to flower.
Thyme flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects such as syrphid flies whose larvae feed on aphids.
Catnip
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Strawberry aphids and spider mites are two common pests of strawberry plants.
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The leaves of catnip contain chemicals known as iridoids that act as natural insect repellents.
Yarrow
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This perennial ornamental also does double duty as a companion plant.
Yarrow attracts beneficial pollinators and repelling critters with the strong scent of its foliage.
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Their strong scent usually repels predators such as deer, rabbits, and pests.
Marigolds are often planted as a trap crop for nematodes.
10 Plants to Avoid Growing Near Strawberries
Avoid planting any of the following next to your strawberries:
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