Have you ever thought about growing companion fruits? How do freshly picked strawberries and blueberries sound?
If you have grown or picked either of these fruits, you may know that they don’t ripen at the same time, even though they show up in July 4th fruit spreads.
These two plants go well together because they can both be useful and beautiful in the garden. Blueberry bushes look great as shrubs, and strawberry patches can be used as evergreen ground cover when they’re not making berries. Did you know that?.
This is for people who didn’t know or need to review how these plants grow.
Blueberries and strawberries are two of the most beloved berry crops for home gardens Their sweet juicy flavors make them prized additions to summer recipes and snacks But can you successfully plant blueberries and strawberries together in the same space?
The short answer is yes! With some careful planning, these two fruits can complement each other beautifully. In this guide, we’ll look at optimal growing conditions, ideal companions, and tips for planting blueberries and strawberries together.
Why Blueberries and Strawberries Work Well Together
At first glance, planting blueberries and strawberries together may seem incompatible. After all, blueberries prefer acidic soil while strawberries thrive in slightly alkaline conditions.
However, there are some key similarities that make them ideal candidates for co-planting:
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Both produce fruit in early to mid summer and benefit from protection with bird netting.
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Neither crop is prone to rampant growth or spreading – they stay neatly contained.
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Both blueberries and strawberries have shallow root systems and won’t compete for resources
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As berry bushes and plants, they can be planted in close proximity for efficiency.
With careful preparation and maintenance, blueberry and strawberry plants can thrive side by side. The key is providing well-drained yet moist, nutrient-rich soil for both.
How to Get the Soil Right for Blueberries and Strawberries
Blueberries need a soil pH between 4.5 and 5.5 to properly take up nutrients. Strawberries prefer a slightly higher range of 5.5 to 6.5.
Rather than trying to amend massive amounts of soil, focus on creating “micro-climates” through raised beds and containers. Here are some tips:
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For in-ground planting, build up raised beds with added organic matter like compost or peat. This allows better control of soil structure and nutrients.
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Plan to group blueberries separately from strawberries for easier pH management. But place beds in proximity for efficiency.
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In containers, use a peat-based potting mix amended with sulfur and peat moss for blueberries. Use a more neutral mix for strawberries.
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No matter the soil type, ensure excellent drainage by incorporating perlite or sand. Both plants are prone to root rot if overwatered.
With thoughtful preparation, you can fine-tune soil nutrition and structure to keep both fruits happy.
Companion Planting for Blueberries and Strawberries
Some smart companion planting choices can benefit both blueberry and strawberry plants. Consider adding:
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Borage – Deters pests, enhances growth and flavor of strawberries.
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Marigolds – Repels nematodes and other pests for both fruits.
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Clovers – Fixes nitrogen; strawberries thrive with extra nitrogen.
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Garlic & chives – Protects against common fungal issues like grey mold.
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Bee balm – Attracts pollinators for improved fruit set.
Interplanting these companions throughout your blueberry and strawberry beds creates an ecosystem where both fruits can thrive.
Caring for Co-Planted Blueberry and Strawberry Beds
With the right maintenance, your blueberry and strawberry combo will stay healthy and productive:
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Water frequently, up to 2 inches per week. Drip irrigation works well. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Use pine straw or wood chip mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature. Keep mulch a few inches away from crowns.
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Prune out any dead or diseased canes/stems during dormancy. Remove excessive runners from strawberry plants to prevent overcrowding.
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Fertilize lightly with an organic balanced fertilizer or compost. Too much nitrogen causes leafy growth rather than fruit production.
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Bird netting is a must! Set it up before fruits start ripening to keep birds away.
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Rotate strawberry beds every 2-3 years to prevent disease buildup. Blueberries can stay in place longer since they are not prone to soil-borne issues.
With attentive care throughout the seasons, both blueberry bushes and strawberry plants will remain vigorous and productive for years to come.
Harvesting Your Dual Berry Crop
One of the biggest advantages of growing blueberries and strawberries together is the extended harvest season.
Strawberries tend to ripen first, beginning harvest as early as late spring in some climates. Harvest strawberries regularly, cutting each berry off with the stem.
Blueberries start ripening in early to mid summer, just as strawberry production declines. Gently pluck ripe blueberries every few days.
Having both fruits maximizes the berry harvest for fresh eating, preserving, and more uses!
Container Combos for Patio Berry Gardening
For those with limited space, blueberries and strawberries also grow beautifully together in containers.
Use a large pot or planter box at least 24” wide and deep. Plant one blueberry bush in center, surrounded by 2-3 strawberry plants spaced to allow runner growth.
This compact planting looks great on patios and decks. Care is the same as in ground. Just be extra diligent about watering and fertilizing to keep plants thriving with restricted root space.
Enjoy a Long, Delicious Harvest!
With the right selections and care, blueberries and strawberries can be planted together for an extended berry harvest. Pay close attention to soil needs, spacing, and maintenance.
Choose compact, disease-resistant varieties suited for your climate. Provide tailored care to keep both fruits healthy and satisfied.
What are your favorite varieties to grow together? Share your tips for companion planting blueberries and strawberries!
How Strawberries and Blueberries Grow
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Strawberry pick-up at the store never tastes even slightly as good as strawberry pick-up in the garden. In my opinion, strawberries and tomatoes are the two things most worthy of all the work they require. There is simply no comparing these fresh from the garden to their supermarket counterparts.
Strawberries are the first fruits to ripen in the spring. That is around June in Michigan, but as early as February in Texas. They are both low in sugar and high in vitamins and minerals. They are, as I mentioned above, hardy perennials. In other words, they can and will spread and grow all summer long, and if they are taken care of properly, they will come back and bear berries every year. They do die back in winter and grow again in spring.
In the spring after bearing fruit, strawberries send out runners. Some send out many runners. They may even need to be pinched off to keep the main plant strong and producing more fruit. Some plants only send out a few. These runners will produce daughter plants that remain attached to the mother plant.
Strawberries get a well-deserved break for the rest of the summer after they bear fruit and send out daughter plants. They need to be kept weeded and lightly watered. However, if you do take care of them, they grow again in the fall for a bit. This is when they develop latent buds that will turn into flowers next spring!.
Another thing to think about is that strawberry plants need 8 hours of full sun every day and like soil that is slightly acidic (pH between 5 and 7). 5 and 6. 8). Additionally, they need good drainage. When you’re not starting your own seeds, don’t bury the crown of a strawberry plant. This could kill the plant.
Strawberry plants need bees. They need to be pollinated in order to set fruit. After the strawberry flowers are fertilized, they produce fruit in about 30 days. For this reason, unseasonably cold weather which keeps bees indoors can also affect your strawberry yield.
Keep the birds out!
There will be a lot of birds, so you will need to buy some netting to keep them out once the plants start to bear fruit.
For those of you who live in cool places, now is a good time to plant strawberries this year. Further south, you can wait until fall. The roots need time to get established before the ground freezes. To keep the soil moist, you should mulch or use black plastic. Slugs like organic mulch like straw the most.
Here’s the cool part. Strawberry plants will get tall and skinny if you try to use them as ground cover near or around your blueberry bushes. They might not produce as much fruit as a well-kept strawberry patch. However, they will produce fruit for many years.
Blueberry shrubs are actually related to rhododendrons and azaleas. In fact, before 1900, blueberries weren’t cultivated at all. They were only scavenged in the wild.
Now there are berry bushes that are resistant to pests and diseases that you can grow in almost any climate and get a wide range of fruit sizes, flavors, and seasons in your own backyard. They will produce for 20 years. Isn’t science wonderful?.
Growing strawberries and blueberries
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