Raspberries grow wild in most places in the U. S. , planted here and there by birds or spreading from prolific underground runners. When plants do well in the wild, like raspberries, it’s natural to think they will do well in the garden too. So, you buy some raspberry plants and put them in the ground. They have a hard time all season and don’t produce much fruit.
Raspberries can have problems because of other plants nearby or what was in the soil before the plants. Other times, problems with raspberries can easily be resolved with beneficial companion plants. Learn about raspberry plant companions in this article.
Growing juicy, sweet raspberries successfully requires more than just planting the canes in your garden and hoping for the best. You need to create the optimal conditions for your raspberry plants to thrive. An excellent way to do this is through companion planting.
Companion planting is all about strategically planting different plants together so they can benefit and support each other’s growth. The right companion plants can help deter pests, attract pollinators, improve soil nutrients, maximize garden space, and ultimately lead to better plant health and higher yields.
When it comes to raspberries, several plants make great companions that can take your berry harvest to the next level. Let’s explore the top companion plants for raspberries and how to use them effectively.
Why Raspberries Need Companion Plants
Raspberries are prone to issues like beetles, aphids, fungus, nematodes, and inadequate pollination. Planting the right companion plants helps create a balanced ecosystem that addresses these problems.
Here are some key benefits of companion planting for raspberries:
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Deters pests – Some plants repel or distract pests through scent, color, or trapping mechanisms This reduces pest pressure on raspberries
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Attracts pollinators – Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators ensure proper pollination and fruit set Companion plants provide food and habitat for them
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Improves soil – Through nitrogen fixation, nutrient accumulation, or weed suppression, companions enhance soil fertility and health.
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Maximizes space – Companions fill vacant spots and utilize vertical space, boosting yields in a small area.
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Promotes plant health – The cumulative benefits above strengthen the raspberry plants, making them more resistant to issues.
The Best Companion Plants for Raspberries
Here are some of the top companion plants to grow with raspberries:
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are a versatile companion. Their roots secrete thiopene, which deters root-knot nematodes. Their flowers also attract pollinators. Plant marigolds along the borders of your raspberry patch. Choose shorter varieties like ‘Petite Mix’ if planting within the rows.
2. Lavender
Lavender is a bee and butterfly magnet. Its appealing scent also repels deer, rabbits, and flea beetles. Plant lavender around the edges of your raspberry patch or along walkways. Choose compact varieties like ‘Munstead’ in tighter spaces.
3. Nasturtiums
Both the flowers and leaves of nasturtiums are edible, providing a colorful garnish. More importantly, they lure aphids away from your raspberries. Plant them along the borders or intersperse within your raspberry rows. Let them trail from containers too.
4. Yarrow
The flowers of yarrow attract predatory wasps, flies, and ladybugs that prey on raspberry pests. Its foliage also repels deer and elk. Plant yarrow around the periphery of your raspberry patch. Choose low-growing varieties like ‘Paprika’ for tidy beds.
5. Clovers
As nitrogen fixers, clovers enrich the soil with this essential nutrient for raspberries. Their low growth habit makes them suitable living mulch between raspberry rows. White clover is a great option, staying short and improving soil quality.
6. Borage
Star-shaped borage flowers attract bees while its leaves accumulate potassium and trace minerals that raspberries need. The prickly foliage also deters pests like hornworms. Sprinkle borage seeds around your raspberry bushes and let it self-seed.
7. Garlic and chives
The pungent scent of garlic and chives repels aphids, beetles, and maggots. Interplant them throughout your raspberry patch to reap their protective benefits. Both also enrich the soil and suppress weeds.
8. Coriander
Coriander lures beneficial insects like lacewings and ladybugs. Its flowers also attract pollinators. Sow coriander seeds in spring and allow it to self-seed around your raspberries. The leaves and seeds can be used to flavor recipes too!
Companion Planting Tips for Raspberries
Follow these tips to make the most of companion planting:
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Use taller plants like lavender and yarrow around the border as “insectary plants” to draw in beneficial insects.
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Include trailing plants like nasturtiums and clovers as living mulch under the raspberry canes to suppress weeds and improve soil.
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Interplant smaller herbs like chives and garlic more liberally throughout the raspberry patch.
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Include an assortment of flowering plants to ensure continuous pollinator attraction from spring through fall.
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Plant new companions 1-2 weeks before or after planting raspberries to give all plants a chance to establish well.
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Monitor for signs of diseased plants, and promptly remove and destroy them to prevent spread.
Companion Plants to Avoid for Raspberries
Some plants are not suited for planting near raspberries:
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Members of the cabbage family can stunt raspberry growth and vice versa due to chemical inhibition.
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Beans and grapes can encourage verticillium wilt.
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Cherry trees are alternate hosts for raspberry bushy dwarf virus.
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Walnuts and birches release a substance that inhibits raspberry growth.
The Importance of Observation
Keep a close eye on how your companion plants interact with your raspberries. Make adjustments year after year to find the best combinations for your specific growing conditions. With the right companions enhancing soil quality, pest control, pollination, and overall plant vigor, your raspberry harvests will thrive.
The key is patience and persistence. Don’t expect overnight miracles from companion planting. But over time, you’ll reap the rewards through healthier plants and bountiful, delicious raspberries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good companion plant for raspberries in containers?
Nasturtiums work well in containers with raspberries. Their trailing growth habit looks beautiful spilling over pot edges. Both plants have similar moisture needs, and nasturtiums deter aphids.
What are the best companion plants for fall bearing raspberries?
Marigolds, borage, and nasturtiums are great for fall raspberries. Their flowering period aligns, ensuring pollinator attraction through fall. They also continue deterring pests as raspberry canes fruit.
Can I plant strawberries with raspberries?
It’s best not to plant strawberries and raspberries together. Both are prone to verticillium wilt, so proximity can allow it to spread from one plant to another. Strawberries also spread aggressively and will overwhelm raspberry plants.
What vegetables can I plant near raspberries?
Asparagus, onions, brassicas like broccoli and kale, lettuces, spinach, and carrots are some vegetables that make good companions for raspberries. Avoid planting tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplants near raspberries.
Can I plant blueberries with raspberries?
Blueberries and raspberries have similar soil preferences and will not hinder each other’s growth. However, plan for proper spacing as both produce extensive root systems. Also, avoid planting blackberries and raspberries together due to shared disease risks.
What to Plant with Raspberries
With canes that can grow 8 feet (2. 5 m. ) long, raspberries can be grown upright on trellises or as espaliers. Growing the canes vertically can help prevent fungal diseases and leave adequate space for beneficial companion plants. When grown next to raspberry bushes, the plants below can help keep fungal diseases like cane spot at bay. They can also repel certain insects, rabbits and deer:
When companion planting with raspberries, another thing to consider are plants that attract bees. The more bees that visit raspberry bushes, the more raspberries the plant will yield. Raspberry plant companions that attract pollinators, while repelling harmful pests, include:
Companion Planting with Raspberries
Raspberries grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil that contains lots of organic material. Before planting raspberries, you may need to amend the soil to add organic material and valuable nutrients.
One way to do this is to plant and grow a cover crop for one season before putting raspberries there. Cover crops like these are grown for a season and then tilled in. As they break down, they add nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Good cover crops for raspberries are:
Sometimes, plants that were there before can make it hard for raspberries to grow or stay healthy. If potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, or strawberries were grown there in the last five years, you shouldn’t plant a raspberry bush there. Plus, you shouldn’t plant them near these plants because blights and other fungal diseases, like verticillium wilt, can spread from these plants to raspberries.