What to Grow With Strawberries in a Raised Bed: 12 Companions

The best plants to grow with strawberries in a raised bed include lettuce, spinach, radishes, green onions, chives, garlic, bush beans, borage, sweet alyssum, calendula, dwarf marigolds, and nasturtiums. These plants can make good companions because they offer different growth habits, provide additional harvests, or support beneficial insects without necessarily requiring a separate garden bed.

However, strawberries need adequate sunlight, airflow, water, and room for their shallow roots. Planting too many companions can increase competition and reduce fruit production. Tall flowers, aggressive herbs, and sprawling vegetables may create more problems than benefits.

The best combinations depend on the strawberry variety. Day-neutral strawberries generally produce fewer runners and are easier to maintain in mixed raised beds. June-bearing varieties often spread through runners and may eventually need most of the available space.

In this article, I cover 12 useful strawberry companion plants, their growing requirements, and the best places to plant them. I also explain which vegetables to keep separate, how to arrange a 4-by-4-foot or 4-by-8-foot strawberry bed, and how to manage spacing, soil, watering, pollination, and runners for healthy fruit production.

What to Grow With Strawberries in a Raised Bed: 12 Good Choices

A successful strawberry companion planting arrangement should provide enough room for every plant to grow.

Strawberries are low-growing perennials with relatively shallow root systems. This makes them vulnerable to competition from vigorous neighboring plants.

The most practical companions are compact vegetables, manageable herbs, and flowers that attract pollinating or beneficial insects.

Companion plant	Main advantage	Best placement	Important consideration
Lettuce	Compact, early harvest	Open spaces or bed edges	May bolt in summer heat
Spinach	Cool-season production	Temporary spaces between young plants	Needs room before strawberries spread
Radishes	Fast-growing roots	Open soil near bed edges	Harvest before crowding develops
Green onions	Upright, narrow growth	Along bed borders	Avoid disturbing strawberry roots
Chives	Compact perennial herb	Corner or edge	Clumps expand over time
Garlic	Uses space during cool months	Dedicated outer row	Long growing season
Bush beans	Productive warm-season crop	Separate section of larger bed	Can compete for water and nutrients
Borage	Flowers attract pollinators	Outside or beside the bed	Large and often self-seeding
Sweet alyssum	Supports beneficial insects	Low border or nearby container	Keep from covering crowns
Calendula	Provides flowers for pollinators	Outer edge	Can grow tall and self-seed
Dwarf marigolds	Compact seasonal flowers	Bed corners or border	Not guaranteed pest protection
Nasturtiums	Flowers attract insects	Outer edge with trailing room	May spread over strawberries

The West Virginia University Extension companion planting guide identifies bush beans, spinach, borage, and border-planted lettuce as traditional strawberry companions.

However, companion planting isn’t an exact science. A compatible plant doesn’t automatically repel pests, improve strawberry flavor, or increase yields.

The strongest practical benefits come from managing space, encouraging beneficial insects, and maintaining healthy growing conditions.

1. Lettuce

Best for: Small raised beds and early-season planting

Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow near strawberries.

Its relatively compact growth makes it useful in open areas of a raised bed.

Loose-leaf lettuce is particularly practical because it can be harvested before the strawberry plants expand significantly.

Lettuce also prefers cool growing conditions.

This creates an opportunity to grow it during spring, when strawberry plants may still occupy relatively little space.

For mature leaf lettuce, approximately 6–10 inches between plants is a useful starting point, depending on the variety.

Baby lettuce can be grown more closely.

Avoid planting lettuce so densely that it restricts airflow around strawberry crowns.

Planting tip: Grow lettuce along an accessible bed edge or in temporary spaces between newly planted strawberries. Harvest it before the strawberry foliage and runners become crowded.

2. Spinach

Best for: Cool-season interplanting

Spinach is another commonly recommended strawberry companion.

It grows quickly in cool weather and can be harvested before summer temperatures increase.

The plants have a relatively low growth habit, which makes them easier to incorporate into a mixed raised bed.

Spinach is particularly useful in early spring or fall.

For mature plants, approximately 3–6 inches between seedlings is a practical starting point.

However, closely planted spinach should not remain in the bed once it begins competing with strawberry foliage.

Spinach may bolt when temperatures rise and days become longer.

This makes it a temporary companion rather than a permanent one.

Planting tip: Sow spinach in a short row near the edge of a newly established strawberry bed. Remove it after harvesting so the strawberries have more growing space.

3. Radishes

Best for: Quick harvests and temporary planting spaces

Radishes are useful companions because many spring varieties mature quickly.

Some can be ready for harvesting in approximately 25–35 days, depending on temperature and variety.

This allows gardeners to use temporarily empty soil before strawberries develop larger leaves or new runners.

Radishes prefer loose soil and consistent moisture.

Most common round varieties can be thinned to approximately 2 inches apart, with additional space for larger varieties.

Direct sowing is generally preferable.

Radishes are especially useful in cool spring weather.

High temperatures can cause some varieties to become overly pungent or develop poor-quality roots.

Planting tip: Grow a short row of radishes near the bed border. Harvest carefully to avoid damaging nearby strawberry roots.

4. Green Onions

Best for: Narrow raised bed borders

Green onions, also called scallions, are practical companions because of their upright growth habit.

Unlike lettuce or spinach, they don’t create a broad layer of foliage over the soil.

This makes them useful along the edges of strawberry beds.

Green onions can be grown from seed or suitable young plants.

Approximately 2–3 inches between plants is often appropriate for individual scallions, depending on the desired harvest size.

Their growing season varies by region.

In many U.S. climates, they perform well during cool or mild conditions.

Planting tip: Use green onions along the outer edge of the bed, leaving enough room for strawberry leaves and runners.

Green onions aren’t guaranteed to repel strawberry pests simply because they belong to the onion family.

Their most reliable advantage is efficient use of a narrow planting space.

5. Chives

Best for: Compact herb planting near strawberries

Chives are perennial herbs that grow in relatively upright clumps.

They can work well near strawberries when given sufficient space.

Their narrow leaves occupy less horizontal area than many broad-leaved herbs.

Chives also produce flowers that can attract visiting insects.

However, chive clumps gradually become larger.

A small new plant shouldn’t be positioned so close that its mature growth will cover strawberry crowns.

Allow approximately 8–12 inches or more for a mature clump, depending on the variety.

In a small raised bed, a separate container placed beside the strawberries can be an effective alternative.

Planting tip: Place chives in a corner or nearby pot where they receive sufficient sunlight without crowding the strawberries.

6. Garlic

Best for: Fall-planted strawberry gardens

Garlic is a traditional companion for strawberries.

It has narrow, upright leaves and can fit into a dedicated planting strip.

In many U.S. regions, garlic is planted in fall and harvested the following summer.

This means its growing schedule may overlap with strawberry establishment and fruit production.

Plant garlic cloves approximately 4–6 inches apart, depending on the variety.

Keep the cloves far enough from strawberry crowns to prevent competition and root disturbance.

Garlic is sometimes recommended for repelling aphids and other insects.

However, this benefit shouldn’t be assumed.

Research on aromatic companion plants doesn’t consistently support the idea that simply growing garlic nearby will reliably protect other crops.

Planting tip: Plant garlic in a separate outer row rather than directly between established strawberry crowns. Harvest carefully to avoid lifting strawberry roots.

7. Bush Beans

Best for: Larger raised beds with separate planting sections

Bush beans are commonly listed as compatible strawberry companions.

They produce edible pods during warm weather and generally don’t require tall trellises.

Unlike pole beans, bush varieties tend to remain more compact.

However, even bush beans need room for their mature foliage and root systems.

They shouldn’t be crowded directly between established strawberries.

For many varieties, approximately 4–6 inches between bean plants is a useful starting point.

Follow the seed packet for specific recommendations.

Bush beans are legumes and can form nitrogen-fixing associations with soil bacteria.

However, this doesn’t mean they automatically supply usable nitrogen to neighboring strawberries during the same growing season.

The amount of nitrogen fixed varies, and much of it remains within the bean plant while it is growing.

Planting tip: Grow bush beans in a separate section of a larger raised bed, not among densely planted strawberry crowns.

8. Borage

Best for: Supporting pollinators near strawberry flowers

Borage is one of the most frequently recommended flowers for strawberry companion planting.

Its blue, star-shaped flowers attract bees and other flower-visiting insects.

This can be useful because insect activity contributes to strawberry pollination.

The University of Maryland Extension’s strawberry guide explains that bee visits contribute to the development of large, well-shaped strawberry fruit.

However, borage can become much larger than strawberry plants.

Mature plants may reach approximately 2–3 feet tall and spread broadly, depending on growing conditions.

Borage can also self-seed.

For this reason, planting it directly between strawberry crowns is usually unnecessary.

Planting tip: Grow borage beside the raised bed or in a separate nearby container. Keep its leaves from shading the strawberry plants.

Although borage is often claimed to improve strawberry sweetness, direct evidence that it consistently increases flavor or yield in home gardens is limited.

Its value as a flowering plant is a more dependable reason to include it.

9. Sweet Alyssum

Best for: Low-growing flower borders and beneficial insects

Sweet alyssum produces clusters of small flowers.

It generally remains lower-growing than borage or tall calendula varieties.

This makes compact selections useful for planting near raised bed edges.

Its flowers provide nectar and pollen resources for beneficial insects, including certain hoverflies and parasitoid wasps.

According to the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension’s companion planting guidance, sweet alyssum is used in demonstration vegetable gardens to support beneficial insects.

These insects may contribute to biological pest management in a diversified garden.

However, the presence of alyssum doesn’t guarantee that strawberry pests will disappear.

Choose a compact variety and prevent it from growing over strawberry crowns.

Planting tip: Place alyssum along the outside border of a raised bed, leaving an open area around the strawberries for airflow and harvesting.

10. Calendula

Best for: Colorful flowers and garden diversity

Calendula, sometimes called pot marigold, can provide bright flowers in a strawberry garden.

It grows well during cool or mild weather in many regions.

Its flowers may attract pollinating insects and other beneficial visitors.

This adds floral diversity around a fruit-producing bed.

However, calendula can grow tall enough to shade nearby strawberries.

Some varieties also self-seed.

For a compact raised bed, choose smaller varieties or place the plants outside the main strawberry growing area.

Allow sufficient spacing according to the cultivar’s mature dimensions.

Planting tip: Plant calendula near a bed corner or in an adjacent container rather than surrounding every strawberry plant with flowers.

11. Dwarf Marigolds

Best for: Compact flowering accents

Dwarf marigolds can add flowers without occupying as much space as larger ornamental varieties.

They are often grown as annuals during warm weather.

Their blooms may attract various insects and contribute to a more diverse garden.

Choose compact varieties rather than large African marigolds for a small strawberry bed.

A planting distance of approximately 8–12 inches may be suitable for many dwarf cultivars, but follow the variety’s recommendations.

Avoid overcrowding the strawberry foliage.

Marigolds are frequently promoted as universal pest repellents.

However, their effects depend on the species, cultivar, pest, and planting method.

Some marigolds have specific uses in nematode management, but simply placing any marigold beside strawberries doesn’t guarantee control of pests or soil diseases.

Planting tip: Use one or two dwarf marigolds near the outer corners of a larger bed, leaving the center open for strawberries.

12. Nasturtiums

Best for: Flowers that can trail away from the bed

Nasturtiums produce colorful flowers and rounded leaves.

They can attract flower-visiting insects and add visual interest around a raised garden.

Some gardeners also use nasturtiums as trap crops for particular pests.

However, the effectiveness of trap cropping depends on the pest species, planting arrangement, and local conditions.

Nasturtiums can spread broadly.

This creates a potential problem in a small strawberry bed because their foliage may cover strawberry leaves and reduce airflow.

Trailing varieties are best positioned where they can grow over the outside edge rather than across the strawberries.

Planting tip: Grow nasturtiums at the outer edge of a large raised bed or in a nearby container, allowing the stems to spread away from the strawberry plants.

Key Takeaway: Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and green onions offer practical space-saving opportunities. Borage, sweet alyssum, and other flowering plants can support garden insect diversity, but they often work better beside the bed than directly among strawberry crowns.

Which Strawberry Companion Plants Are Actually Supported by Research?

Companion planting advice often combines traditional gardening experience with scientific findings.

These should not be treated as equally reliable.

Benefits With a Practical Basis

Several companion planting strategies have recognizable benefits.

Using different growing seasons: Early lettuce or radishes can be harvested before strawberries need more space.

Growing compact plants near bed edges: Green onions and chives may make productive use of narrow areas.

Supporting beneficial insects: Flowering plants can provide nectar and pollen for pollinators and natural enemies of certain pests.

Increasing garden diversity: Mixed plantings can provide habitat and resources for a broader range of insects.

These benefits depend on suitable plant selection and management.

Claims That Need Caution

Common statements include:

• Garlic always repels strawberry pests.
• Borage makes strawberries sweeter.
• Marigolds eliminate harmful soil insects.
• Certain herbs prevent all fungal diseases.
• Growing beans beside strawberries automatically fertilizes them.

These claims are too broad.

The Washington State University Extension’s research-based companion planting guide explains that many claims about aromatic plants repelling pests have not been consistently supported under ordinary field conditions.

Companion planting can still be worthwhile, but it should not replace proper watering, soil management, sanitation, or pest monitoring.

Key Takeaway: Choose companions primarily for compatible growing conditions, efficient use of space, and beneficial flowers—not for promises of automatic pest prevention.

What Not to Plant With Strawberries in a Raised Bed

Some plants are less suitable because they become too large, compete for resources, or share important disease risks.

However, the distinction between planting something beside strawberries and planting it in the same soil over several years matters.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes aren’t usually the best companions for a compact strawberry raised bed.

They can become large and may shade low-growing strawberry plants.

More importantly, tomatoes and strawberries can be affected by the soilborne disease Verticillium wilt.

The Oregon State University Extension’s strawberry growing guide recommends avoiding planting strawberries in soil that recently supported susceptible crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

Growing tomatoes in a separate nearby bed is different from repeatedly growing both crops in potentially infested soil.

The disease concern is especially important where Verticillium has been present.

Potatoes

Potatoes are poor choices for a mixed strawberry bed.

They require substantial underground growing space.

Harvesting potatoes also involves digging, which can damage strawberry roots.

Potatoes and strawberries can share susceptibility to Verticillium wilt.

Keep potato production in a separate growing area and consider crop rotation history when establishing new strawberries.

Peppers and Eggplants

Peppers and eggplants can grow tall and compete for resources.

They are also among the crops associated with Verticillium wilt.

Although they don’t automatically infect strawberries simply by growing nearby, planting them in the same bed may be undesirable when managing soilborne disease risks.

A separate bed is generally a more practical arrangement.

Cabbage, Broccoli, and Cauliflower

Large brassicas can occupy significant space.

Their broad leaves may shade strawberries and restrict airflow.

Companion planting charts sometimes describe strawberries and cabbage-family crops as incompatible.

However, claims of a universal biological incompatibility are not well established.

The strongest practical concern in a small raised bed is competition for space, sunlight, water, and nutrients.

Compact brassicas may grow nearby in a larger garden, but they aren’t usually ideal plants to crowd between strawberry crowns.

Mint

Mint can spread aggressively through underground stems.

When planted directly into a raised bed, some varieties can occupy more space than intended.

This makes mint difficult to manage around strawberry roots.

If you want mint nearby, grow it in a separate container.

A pot also allows easier control of its soil moisture and spreading habit.

Large Squash and Pumpkin Plants

Zucchini, pumpkins, and other squash plants may produce broad leaves and extensive stems.

These can cover strawberry plants.

Their root systems also compete for moisture and nutrients.

Large squash generally works better in its own bed.

Other Vigorous Berry Plants

Raspberries and blackberries can develop large root systems and extensive canes.

Some also share soil disease concerns with strawberries.

They are better grown in a separate planting area.

Blueberries likewise need dedicated room and have different soil management requirements.

Plants to Keep Separate

Plant	Main concern
Tomatoes	Size, shade, and shared Verticillium risk
Potatoes	Root disturbance during harvest and disease rotation
Peppers	Competition and shared soilborne disease concerns
Eggplants	Size and Verticillium susceptibility
Large cabbage or broccoli	Crowding and shading
Mint	Aggressive spreading
Pumpkins	Extensive vines and broad leaves
Zucchini	Large mature footprint
Raspberries	Vigorous growth and some shared diseases
Blueberries	Different long-term soil and space requirements

Key Takeaway: Keep large, spreading crops and plants with important shared disease concerns out of a compact strawberry bed. Good spacing matters more than traditional lists of supposed plant enemies.

Best Herbs to Grow With Strawberries in a Raised Bed

Herbs can be attractive companions when their mature size and water requirements are compatible with strawberries.

However, not all herbs prefer the same growing conditions.

Chives

Chives are among the easiest herbs to manage near strawberries.

They have upright leaves and relatively compact clumps.

Give them space to expand.

A separate pot can be useful in a small raised bed.

Parsley

Parsley can grow near strawberries if there is adequate room.

It prefers reasonably moist, well-drained soil.

However, mature parsley can become quite leafy, and plants entering their second growing season may produce tall flowering stalks.

Use it near a bed edge.

Cilantro

Cilantro grows well in cooler weather.

It can be a useful temporary companion during spring.

If allowed to flower, it may provide nectar and pollen for beneficial insects.

However, cilantro often bolts during hot weather.

Its flowering stems may become taller than nearby strawberry plants.

Position it where it won’t shade the fruit.

Thyme

Thyme is sometimes recommended as a strawberry companion.

It remains relatively low-growing and can produce flowers attractive to insects.

However, thyme generally prefers drier, well-drained conditions than strawberries, which require consistent moisture.

For this reason, thyme may be better planted in a separate pot or drier outer border.

Don’t overwater thyme simply to match the strawberry irrigation schedule.

Rosemary and Lavender

Rosemary and lavender can attract pollinators when flowering.

However, both generally prefer well-drained soil and relatively dry conditions once established.

Their mature size can also create problems in a compact bed.

Plant them nearby rather than directly between strawberry crowns.

Best Flowers to Grow Near Strawberries

Strawberry flowers benefit from visits by pollinating insects.

Although strawberry flowers are self-fertile, insect pollination can improve fruit development.

A garden with flowers blooming at different times may support more pollinator activity.

Best Low-Growing Flowers

Sweet alyssum and certain dwarf marigolds are practical choices for low-growing flower borders.

Keep enough space between the flowers and strawberries to maintain airflow.

Avoid varieties that spread across the strawberry crowns.

Best Taller Flowers

Borage and calendula can add flowers at different heights.

However, they require more space.

Plant them on the outside of the raised bed or in neighboring containers.

Do Flowers Guarantee More Strawberries?

No.

Flowers may attract pollinators, but strawberry yield also depends on:

• Cultivar.
• Plant age.
• Temperature.
• Sunlight.
• Soil moisture.
• Fertility.
• Pest and disease pressure.
• Pollination conditions.

Flowers are useful components of a diverse garden, not guaranteed yield boosters.

How to Protect Pollinators

Avoid applying insecticides to flowering plants when bees and other pollinators are active.

Follow pesticide labels and local restrictions.

Where appropriate, choose nonchemical pest management methods.

Allow suitable flowers to remain available during the strawberry flowering period.

How to Arrange Strawberries and Companion Plants in a Raised Bed

A good layout gives strawberries the main growing area and places companions where they won’t interfere with the crowns or developing fruit.

The arrangement depends on the bed’s size and strawberry variety.

Strawberry Plant Spacing

Strawberries can be grown using different planting systems.

Hill system: Runners are removed, and plants remain in individual positions. A spacing of approximately 12 inches may be used for certain June-bearing varieties.

Matted-row system: Runners are allowed to root and fill a defined strip. Mother plants may be spaced 18–24 inches apart initially.

Day-neutral production: Plants are commonly spaced more closely and runners are routinely removed.

According to the University of Maryland Extension’s strawberry planting guide, day-neutral plants may be spaced approximately 5–9 inches apart in certain production systems.

Other extension recommendations use wider spacing depending on the growing system.

These are strawberry production arrangements, not instructions to insert companion plants into every open gap.

When interplanting, use more conservative spacing so the strawberries remain accessible.

Example Layout for a 4-by-4-Foot Raised Bed

A 4-by-4-foot raised bed provides 16 square feet.

For a mixed planting, one practical approach is to reserve most of the bed for strawberries while keeping a smaller edge section for companions.

<text color=”secondary” size=”sm”>Example arrangement, viewed from above</text>

Back of bed	Back of bed
Strawberry growing area	Strawberry growing area
Strawberry growing area	Strawberry growing area
Small lettuce strip	Green onions or low alyssum border

In this arrangement:

• Strawberries receive most of the growing area.
• Lettuce occupies temporary space.
• Green onions or low flowers grow at the outer edge.
• Strawberry runners are monitored regularly.
• Mature plants aren’t allowed to crowd the planting.

The number of strawberry plants depends on the cultivar, spacing system, and whether runners will be removed.

Avoid trying to fill every square foot with multiple crops.

For June-bearing strawberries grown in a matted-row system, a dedicated strawberry bed may be more appropriate.

Example Layout for a 4-by-8-Foot Raised Bed

A 4-by-8-foot bed provides 32 square feet.

This allows room to create separate planting sections.

Bed section	Suggested planting
Main strawberry area	Strawberry plants with appropriate spacing
Temporary spring strip	Lettuce, spinach, or radishes
Narrow outer border	Green onions or chives
One external corner	Sweet alyssum or dwarf marigold
Separate nearby container	Borage or calendula

The objective is to prevent companion plants from crowding the strawberries.

A nearby container can provide the flowering benefits of borage without using valuable strawberry root space.

Should You Plant Companions Between Strawberry Plants?

Sometimes, particularly when the strawberry plants are young and temporary crops can be harvested early.

However, permanent companions should not be inserted into every gap.

Strawberries develop larger foliage and may produce runners.

Overcrowding can reduce airflow and make harvesting difficult.

Reserve open spaces for future strawberry growth.

Should Companion Plants Go in the Center or Along the Edges?

For most small raised beds, the edges are the best starting location.

This allows access to both crops.

It also makes it easier to remove short-season companions without digging through strawberry roots.

Tall flowering plants are usually better placed outside the bed.

Key Takeaway: Keep the main strawberry area open and use narrow borders, temporary crops, and nearby containers for companion plants.

Best Companions for June-Bearing vs. Day-Neutral Strawberries

The strawberry variety affects how much companion planting is practical.

June-bearing and day-neutral plants often require different runner management.

June-Bearing Strawberries

June-bearing varieties produce a concentrated crop in late spring or early summer.

Many also produce substantial numbers of runners.

In a matted-row system, daughter plants root and gradually fill the designated growing area.

This can make permanent companion planting difficult.

A short-term crop such as radishes or lettuce may fit early in establishment.

However, the growing area should eventually be reserved for the strawberry plants.

Best approach: Keep June-bearing beds relatively dedicated, especially when allowing runners to root.

Day-Neutral Strawberries

Day-neutral varieties can produce fruit over a longer period when temperatures are suitable.

They generally produce fewer runners than June-bearing types.

Runners are often removed to support fruit production and maintain the planting arrangement.

This makes them more manageable in certain mixed raised beds.

Compact lettuce, green onions, or border flowers may fit nearby when adequate spacing is maintained.

Best approach: Use controlled planting positions and place companions along the edges.

Everbearing Strawberries

Traditional everbearing strawberries may produce two main crops during the growing season.

They often produce fewer runners than June-bearing plants.

A mixed planting can be possible when the bed is large enough.

However, maintain clear access for watering, harvesting, and plant care.

Don’t allow surrounding plants to interfere with flowering or fruit development.

How to Plant Strawberry Companions Step by Step

Successful planting begins with preparing the strawberry growing area rather than selecting as many companions as possible.

Step 1: Choose a Sunny Location

Strawberries produce best in full sun.

Aim for at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily, with more light often beneficial when temperatures and water availability are suitable.

Don’t plant tall companions where they will shade the strawberries for much of the day.

Step 2: Prepare Well-Drained Soil

Strawberries need soil that drains well but retains enough moisture for their shallow roots.

Oregon State University Extension identifies well-drained, fertile loam as a suitable growing medium.

A soil pH of approximately 5.6–6.5 is a useful target, with the optimum varying by region and conditions.

Use a soil test before making major pH adjustments or adding large amounts of fertilizer.

Avoid excessive compost or fresh manure.

Step 3: Plant Strawberries at the Correct Depth

Strawberry plants have a crown where leaves, roots, and other structures meet.

The crown must be positioned properly relative to the soil surface.

Planting too deeply can encourage crown problems.

Planting too shallowly can expose roots and allow them to dry out.

Set the roots below the soil and keep the crown at the appropriate soil level.

For potted plants, generally maintain the original planting depth.

Step 4: Mark the Strawberry Growing Area

Before planting companions, identify how much room the strawberries will need when mature.

Mark the intended locations of strawberry crowns.

Consider whether runners will be removed or allowed to root.

Leave enough room for harvesting and maintenance.

Step 5: Add Compact Companions

Plant lettuce, spinach, radishes, or green onions in designated spaces.

Follow their individual planting depths and spacing requirements.

Avoid disturbing the strawberry roots.

If the strawberry plants are already established, use a hand trowel rather than digging deeply.

Step 6: Position Flowers Strategically

Plant low flowers near borders.

Place larger flowers such as borage outside the raised bed or in separate containers.

Choose flowers suitable for your climate and growing season.

Avoid blocking access to strawberry fruit.

Step 7: Water Carefully

Water the soil after planting.

Use a gentle watering method that doesn’t expose the strawberry roots.

Drip irrigation or a soaker hose can help direct water to the root zone.

Avoid leaving the soil continuously saturated.

Step 8: Apply Mulch

Straw mulch is commonly used around strawberry plants.

It helps keep fruit off bare soil and can reduce soil splashing.

The University of Minnesota Extension’s strawberry growing guide recommends mulch and careful irrigation as part of disease management.

Keep the strawberry crowns uncovered.

Don’t pile mulch directly against plant stems.

Step 9: Monitor Plant Growth

Check the raised bed regularly for:

• Strawberry runners.
• Overcrowding.
• Wilting.
• Pest activity.
• Excessive shading.
• Poor airflow.
• Dry or waterlogged soil.

Remove or harvest companion plants before they create serious competition.

How to Water Strawberries and Companion Plants Together

Strawberries have relatively shallow roots and need consistent moisture.

This makes water compatibility an important consideration.

Strawberry Water Requirements

A common starting point is approximately 1 inch of rainfall and irrigation per week during active growth.

However, requirements may be higher during hot, dry weather or heavy fruit production.

Check the root zone rather than relying on a fixed schedule.

Raised beds can dry more quickly than surrounding soil.

Choosing Companions With Similar Moisture Needs

Lettuce, spinach, and green onions generally prefer relatively consistent moisture during active growth.

This can make them easier to manage alongside strawberries than some drought-tolerant Mediterranean herbs.

Thyme, rosemary, and lavender often prefer drier conditions.

They may be better grown in separate containers with independent watering.

Why Drip Irrigation Helps

Drip irrigation can provide water near plant roots without regularly wetting the foliage.

This may help reduce conditions favorable to certain diseases.

However, the system must provide enough coverage for both strawberries and companion plants.

Check actual soil moisture in several locations.

Avoid Overwatering

Excess water can reduce oxygen around roots and contribute to root diseases.

Strawberries are particularly sensitive to poorly drained growing conditions.

Maintain soil that is evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Can Companion Plants Help Protect Strawberries From Pests?

Some companion plants can contribute to a more diverse garden environment.

However, the effect depends on the insect species, weather, plant combination, and growing conditions.

Attracting Beneficial Insects

Flowering plants such as sweet alyssum and borage can provide nectar and pollen.

These resources may help support pollinators and certain beneficial insects.

Beneficial insects include predators and parasitoids that feed on or attack some garden pests.

However, the presence of flowers doesn’t guarantee successful pest control.

Do Garlic and Chives Repel Strawberry Pests?

Garlic and chives are often claimed to repel aphids and other insects because of their strong scent.

The evidence for reliable pest prevention through simple proximity is limited.

Plant them for their edible harvests and compact growth rather than assuming they will protect strawberries.

Continue monitoring for actual pests.

Do Marigolds Prevent Strawberry Diseases?

Marigolds don’t provide universal protection against strawberry diseases.

Some species and cultivation methods have specific roles in managing certain soil pests.

However, adding a few ornamental marigolds doesn’t eliminate fungal diseases or replace healthy soil practices.

Better Strawberry Pest Management Practices

For dependable pest prevention:

• Start with healthy, disease-free plants.
• Maintain appropriate spacing.
• Remove diseased or overripe fruit.
• Keep weeds under control.
• Avoid prolonged wet foliage.
• Provide good drainage.
• Use physical protection when necessary.
• Identify pests before selecting treatments.

These practices are more predictable than relying entirely on companion planting.

Common Mistakes When Growing Strawberry Companions

Planting Too Many Companions

A small raised bed can become crowded quickly.

Strawberries need room for leaves, roots, flowers, and fruit.

Use only the companions that fit comfortably.

Ignoring Strawberry Runners

June-bearing strawberries may produce many runners.

These can root and form daughter plants.

Without management, the strawberry planting can spread into the companion growing area.

Plan for runner growth before planting.

Growing Tall Flowers Too Close

Borage and other tall flowers may shade strawberries.

Place them outside the bed where possible.

Assuming All Herbs Have the Same Water Needs

Thyme and rosemary generally prefer drier growing conditions than strawberries.

A separate container may provide better control.

Planting Tomatoes or Potatoes in the Same Bed

These crops can share soilborne disease risks with strawberries.

They also compete for growing space.

Use separate beds and consider crop rotation history.

Harvesting Root Crops Carelessly

Pulling garlic, radishes, or other root vegetables too close to strawberries can disturb their shallow root systems.

Plant root crops along accessible edges.

Harvest gently.

Covering Strawberry Crowns With Mulch

Mulch can help keep fruit clean, but burying the crown may cause problems.

Keep the crown properly exposed.

Expecting Flowers to Eliminate Pests

Flowering companions may support beneficial insects but aren’t guaranteed insect repellents.

Monitor the garden and manage pests according to the actual problem.

How to Maintain a Strawberry Companion Bed Throughout the Year

Strawberries may remain productive for several seasons.

Companion plants often have shorter lifespans.

This makes seasonal planning important.

Early Spring

Inspect established strawberry plants.

Remove damaged or diseased plant material as recommended.

Check mulch placement and drainage.

Plant suitable cool-season companions such as lettuce, spinach, and radishes when the local climate allows.

Late Spring

Monitor strawberry flowers and developing fruit.

Keep tall companions from shading the plants.

Harvest radishes and leafy greens as needed.

Watch for the beginning of runner development.

Summer

Continue managing strawberry runners.

Harvest fruit when ripe.

Remove expired companion crops.

In larger beds, bush beans or warm-season flowers may be grown in a separate section if enough space remains.

Maintain consistent moisture during hot weather.

Fall

Remove spent annual companions.

Inspect strawberry foliage and crown health.

Avoid excessive digging near established roots.

Fall-planted garlic may be suitable for a separate outer row, provided it won’t interfere with strawberry growth.

Winter

Strawberry winter care depends on climate.

In cold regions, apply suitable protective mulch at the recommended time.

Avoid disturbing the crowns unnecessarily.

Container-grown companions may require different winter protection than in-ground strawberries.

Are Companion Plants Better Than Growing Strawberries Alone?

Not necessarily.

A well-managed dedicated strawberry bed can be highly productive.

Companion planting provides the greatest benefit when it adds useful harvests or flowering plants without reducing the space and resources available to strawberries.

Benefits of a Mixed Raised Bed

A mixed planting can provide:

• Additional edible crops.
• Seasonal harvest diversity.
• Flowers for pollinating insects.
• Visual interest.
• More efficient use of temporary open spaces.

These benefits are most practical when the plants have compatible requirements.

Benefits of a Dedicated Strawberry Bed

A strawberry-only bed can make it easier to:

• Manage runners.
• Maintain consistent spacing.
• Apply mulch.
• Harvest berries.
• Monitor pests and diseases.
• Renovate an older planting.
• Protect plants during winter.

For June-bearing strawberries grown with a matted-row system, a dedicated bed may be the simpler long-term choice.

Which Approach Should You Choose?

Choose a mixed bed if you have a small garden, manage runners carefully, and want to grow a few compatible crops together.

Choose a dedicated strawberry bed if maximizing strawberry production and simplifying long-term maintenance are your priorities.

Neither method guarantees a larger harvest.

The best result depends on plant health and management.

Conclusion

Deciding what to grow with strawberries in a raised bed starts with choosing plants that won’t compete heavily with strawberry roots, foliage, or fruit.

Lettuce, spinach, radishes, green onions, chives, and garlic are practical options for compact growing spaces. Bush beans may work in a separate section of a larger bed, while borage, sweet alyssum, calendula, dwarf marigolds, and nasturtiums can contribute flowers and garden diversity.

However, large plants and aggressive spreaders can reduce the space available for strawberries.

I recommend starting with lettuce or spinach as a temporary cool-season companion, adding green onions along the bed edge, and placing sweet alyssum or borage nearby for flowers.

For June-bearing strawberries that produce many runners, a mostly dedicated bed may be preferable.

Keep the strawberries in full sun, maintain well-drained soil, manage moisture carefully, and avoid overcrowding.

The most successful strawberry companion garden is one where every plant has enough room to grow without reducing the health and productivity of the strawberries.

FAQs About What to Grow With Strawberries in a Raised Bed

What Is the Best Companion Plant for Strawberries?

Lettuce and spinach are among the most practical companions because they are relatively compact and can be harvested during cooler periods.

Borage and sweet alyssum are useful flowering plants to grow nearby.

The best option depends on available space and the strawberry variety.

Can You Plant Lettuce and Strawberries Together?

Yes. Lettuce can grow in open spaces or along the edges of a strawberry raised bed.

It is particularly useful during cool weather.

Harvest the lettuce before it begins crowding the strawberry foliage.

Can You Plant Garlic With Strawberries?

Yes. Garlic can be grown in a separate row along the edge of a strawberry bed when there is enough room.

However, claims that garlic reliably repels strawberry pests aren’t strongly supported by field evidence.

Grow it primarily as an edible companion.

Can Strawberries and Tomatoes Grow in the Same Raised Bed?

They can grow in proximity, but sharing the same small bed isn’t usually recommended.

Both can be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, and large tomato plants may shade strawberries.

Separate growing areas and appropriate crop rotation are generally more practical.

What Flowers Should You Plant With Strawberries?

Borage, sweet alyssum, calendula, and compact marigolds are useful choices.

These flowers can support pollinating and beneficial insects.

Larger flowers should be planted outside the main strawberry growing area to avoid crowding.

Can You Plant Strawberries and Spinach Together?

Yes. Spinach is commonly recommended as a strawberry companion.

It can provide a cool-season harvest before strawberry plants spread significantly.

Maintain enough space for strawberry crowns and roots.

Should Strawberry Companion Plants Be Planted Between the Strawberries?

Some short-season vegetables can be planted in temporary spaces between young strawberry plants.

However, permanent companions usually work better near bed edges or in nearby containers.

Leave room for mature strawberry foliage, roots, and runners.