Tomatoes and strawberries are two of the most popular crops for home gardeners. Their sweet, juicy fruits are delicious straight from the vine It’s tempting to want to grow them side-by-side to save space and enjoy their combined harvests. But is planting tomatoes and strawberries together a good companion pairing? Or are they better off separated in the garden bed?
The Short Answer
In most cases, it is not recommended to plant tomatoes and strawberries as close companions The main reason is that these two crops are prone to some of the same fungal diseases, including verticillium wilt and anthracnose Planting them near each other increases the risk of disease transmission.
While it is possible to grow them in adjacent rows or beds, they will fare better when planted further apart in the garden. Choose other beneficial companion plants for each that help deter pests and diseases they are vulnerable to.
Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases
The primary reason tomatoes and strawberries should not be planted in close proximity is their shared susceptibility to soil-borne fungal diseases. The main culprits are verticillium wilt and anthracnose. Both can quickly spread from an infected plant to nearby companions.
Verticillium wilt affects the vascular tissues of plants, causing leaves to yellow, wilt, and die. It manifests first on older foliage. Fruit becomes pale and shriveled. The fungal spores persist in soil, easily traveling from one plant to another.
Anthracnose leads to dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, and fruits. It spreads quickly during wet conditions via windborne spores. Infected fruits develop rotten spots and can spread to healthy produce.
These two fungal diseases can devastate tomato and strawberry plants. Infection often leads to greatly reduced yields. In severe cases, it may kill the plants entirely.
Potential for Cross-Contamination
When fungal diseases are present, planting tomatoes and strawberries together allows the pathogen to easily spread between both crops. Their close proximity enables quick transmission through root contact, shared tools, and water splashing.
Once one plant contracts verticillium wilt or anthracnose, nearby companions are almost certain to become infected as well. You may end up losing a good portion of both crops.
While not guaranteed, planting further apart provides a buffer zone between plants of each type. This won’t necessarily prevent diseases, but helps limit transmission from one area to another.
Growing Tips for Each Crop
If you want to grow both tomatoes and strawberries, here are some tips to give each the best chance of success:
For tomatoes:
- Choose disease-resistant cultivars
- Rotate planting sites each year
- Stake/trellis plants to improve air circulation
- Water at soil level to avoid leaf moisture
- Apply mulch to prevent soil splashing
For strawberries:
- Select resistant varieties like ‘Allstar’
- Use raised beds with good drainage
- Remove old leaves/plants each season
- Space plants appropriately to allow air flow
- Use drip irrigation directly to soil
Suitable Companion Plants
Rather than planting tomatoes and strawberries together, choose companion plants that benefit each.
Good tomato companion plants:
- Basil
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Parsley
- Marigolds
- Borage
Good strawberry companions:
- Bush beans
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Spinach
- Borage
- Marigolds
These will help repel pests, improve pollination, and limit diseases.
Can You Grow Them Near Each Other?
It’s not impossible to grow tomatoes and strawberries in close proximity, but extra care is needed.
- Allow at least 2-3 feet between plants of each crop
- Monitor regularly for early disease signs
- Remove and destroy any infected plants promptly
- Sterilize tools after contact with diseased plants
Even then, there is no guarantee they will remain disease-free when grown side-by-side. The farther apart you can keep them, the better.
Tomatoes and strawberries both produce sweet, delicious fruits. However, their shared susceptibility to fungal diseases makes them poor companion plants. The risk of transmitting infections like verticillium wilt and anthracnose is too great. For best results, grow them in separate garden areas and pair them with other beneficial companions. With preventative care, you can still enjoy harvests of both crops. Just don’t plant your tomatoes right next to your strawberries.
11 Best Strawberry Compamion Plants (And Plants To Avoid)
FAQ
Can tomatoes be planted next to strawberries?
What should not be planted next to strawberries?
What is the best companion plant for strawberries?
What should not be planted with tomatoes?
Can you grow strawberries and tomatoes together?
If you want to grow both strawberries and tomatoes, you may wonder if you can plant them together. Many garden plants grow well together, and those that benefit each other are known as companion plants. Companion plants may benefit their neighbors by providing shade, repelling insect pests, providing support, or attracting pollinators.
Do tomatoes and strawberries make good garden companions?
Let’s take a closer look now at both tomatoes and strawberries to find out if they make good garden companions, or if you should pick something else to pair them with. Tomatoes and strawberries do not make good companion plants. You could grow them together, and it’s possible they will both do fine.
Should you Tuck a strawberry plant in a tomato plant?
By tucking a few strawberry plants at the feet of your tomato vines, you’re maximizing the potential of your garden beds or containers. Strawberries and tomatoes have surprisingly similar soil requirements, both favoring slightly acidic conditions with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. Together, they can help maintain the soil’s health and composition.
What happens if you plant tomatoes and strawberries together?
If planted too close together, tomatoes can out-compete the strawberries for resources, resulting in a lower yield of berries and smaller, less flavorful fruit. Additionally, both plants are susceptible to similar pests and diseases, increasing the risk of infection if planted too close together.