A good strawberry harvest from a small plot can only be achieved if the soil meets the berry bush's needs. Today, gardeners have identified several precursor plants that positively influence future growth and enrich the soil with essential micronutrients. Knowing which crops to plant after strawberries will help you achieve the desired success in growing them.
Useful crops for the garden
Under standard conditions, strawberries should grow in the same spot for no more than 4-5 years; after that, the soil simply cannot provide sufficient amounts of beneficial micronutrients. This deficiency can be addressed not only by applying complex fertilizers but also by planting specific garden crops. Each gardener uses their own strategies and methods for soil cultivation. Currently, green manure is used for soil preparation, planting it in the bed for several months.
Green manure
Green manure is a separate category of plants that consume virtually no nutrients from the soil, but rather enrich it with nitrogen and phosphorus, and also eliminate harmful bacteria and insects.
You can find out which vegetable crops you can plant strawberries after from the list below:
- Rapeseed. This plant can be considered a source of organic fertilizer. It also actively increases nitrogen levels.
- Mustard. Fights various diseases, such as late blight.
- Vika. Used as a supplemental source of nitrogen.
- Phacelia. When planted, it restores the acid-base balance within a few months.
- Medicinal plants and flowers. When planting, eliminate nematodes and prevent the development of new pests in the area.
Greens are a category of plants that don't require large amounts of minerals. Therefore, parsley, spinach, dill, and basil prevent soil depletion and, on the contrary, even enrich it. If you plant various types of legumes, they increase the nitrogen content of the soil. This category of plants can be considered green manure. In general, strawberries can be planted safely in the fall after such crops. The plants listed above restore the soil not only for strawberries but also for other garden crops.
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Strawberries are most often planted together with onions and garlic, but it's best to create separate beds that can later be used for planting strawberry bushes. A key factor in this segment is the absence of common diseases that could linger in the soil. If you've harvested garlic, don't plant strawberries right away. You should let them rest or plant a green manure crop. Afterward, the soil will be ready for planting strawberries.
Roots
Strawberries, like carrots and radishes, are completely undemanding regarding soil composition, but the lack of certain micronutrients leads to reduced yields. Carrots and radishes practically do not consume any useful minerals from the soil, so strawberries can be safely planted after them. This category of root vegetables also shares no common pests or diseases with strawberries, which can be considered an additional advantage. In general, you can decide for yourself which crops are best to plant strawberries after, following the guidelines listed above.
Plants after which strawberries should not be planted
There's a category of crops that strawberries shouldn't be planted after. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but following it can help prevent a decline in berry yield. This is because some plants consume incredible amounts of minerals and micronutrients, leading to soil depletion.
As a result, the planted strawberries will simply suffer from a nutritional deficiency, which can only be eliminated by enriching the soil with various fertilizer complexes. Which crops are undesirable precursors?
- Cabbage. It creates a potassium and nitrogen deficiency in the soil. Therefore, it is recommended to add not only mineral but also organic fertilizers to the soil before planting.
- Sunflower. It completely eliminates nitrogen from the soil, preventing strawberries from developing green mass.
- Jerusalem artichokes leave behind roots that begin to grow vigorously the following year. This interferes with strawberry growth.
- Plants of the buttercup family. As they grow, they release substances into the soil that inhibit the growth of many berry crops.
It's also worth remembering that strawberries can be susceptible to infection from neighboring garden crops and vegetables. The nightshade family is often susceptible to late blight, and strawberries are also susceptible to this problem, so it's recommended to plant them as far apart as possible. Knowing which crops to plant strawberries after can help ensure a good harvest. It's crucial to understand that soil cultivation before planting is essential in any case. If garden crops were grown in the bed, it's essential to plant green manure for several months afterwards. Then, apply organic fertilizers and plant strawberries.
Plants that can be planted nearby
It's also important to consider the placement of other plants near strawberries, as they can have both a negative and positive effect. In most cases, the primary function of neighboring plants is to repel pests and protect against diseases.
Many gardeners have identified several very important plants that have a beneficial effect on berry yields through their own experience:
- Parsley. This spice has a scent that repels snails. Slugs also avoid living near herbs.
- Garlic. Many gardeners plant garlic alongside strawberries to help combat late blight.
- Onions. Their disinfectant properties shouldn't be ruled out either. Their only drawback is that they ripen very quickly. By mid-summer, they need to be harvested. However, you can plant green onions instead.
- Marigolds. This category of flowers has a rather unique scent and medicinal properties. It is this scent that repels nematodes.
You may be interested in:Following proper agricultural practices can significantly increase strawberry yields with minimal time and expense. Knowing which crops are best to plant strawberries after in the fall can help avoid common mistakes. As a result, you'll have a much larger berry yield than in previous seasons. Therefore, when planting different crops, it's important to plan accordingly. It's important to remember that certain plant categories can be considered pests for strawberries, as they interfere with growth, create difficulties in cultivation, and so on.

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