How to intercrop strawberries
How to intercrop strawberries
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a widely cultivated hybrid species of the genus Fragaria.
It is a species derived from the crossing of two spontaneous American species, F. virginiana (North America) and F. chiloensis (Chile), which only appeared in the 17th century and were subsequently cultivated mainly by large specialized companies.
It is a plant that can grow at various altitudes, up to over a thousand metres.
The cultivation of strawberries, contrary to popular belief, benefits considerably from intercropping with other plants.
However, keep in mind that the strawberry is a plant that prefers loose, medium-textured soil, with a neutral or sub-acid pH, fresh but well-drained, with a depth of more than 50 cm and rich in organic substance.
Strawberries, on the other hand, suffer from very heavy, asphyxiated soils, with water stagnation (in this case the fruits become sensitive to gray mould), very calcareous and saline.
In general, strawberries grow best if they are close to radishes, green beans, garlic, onions, leeks, chives, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, etc.
Below are some of the plants that can be associated with strawberries.
– Herbs: Plants such as mint, marjoram and parsley can repel some pests harmful to strawberries and help keep the soil healthy.
– Garlic and onions: They can act as natural repellents for harmful insects such as aphids and bedbugs. Additionally, they can help prevent fungal diseases.
– Leeks: They can protect strawberries from snails as the latter prefer to feed on leeks rather than strawberries.
– Tagetes (African chrysanthemums): The roots of these plants produce a substance that repels soil nematodes, thus helping to protect strawberries from these pests.
– Climbing beans: They can be planted near strawberries and used as support for climbing vines. Additionally, they can fix nitrogen in the soil, providing extra nutrition for strawberries.
– Basil: Can improve the flavor of strawberries and can help repel some pests.
– Nasturtium flower: This flower is known to repel aphids, so it can be advantageous to plant it near strawberries.
– Spinach: Can protect the soil surrounding strawberries from excessive sun exposure and help retain soil moisture.
– Cabbage: It can protect strawberries from birds as it can act as a natural barrier.
– Chamomile: Chamomile plants can help improve soil health and repel some insect pests.
In the intercropping technique, the specific needs of strawberries, such as sunlight, humidity and soil nutrient requirements, are taken into account to ensure optimal growth.