Top Recommended Partners for Raspberry Growth (With 3 to Steer Clear Of)
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Raspberries, a favourite summer fruit, can benefit significantly from companion planting. By strategically choosing what to grow alongside them, gardeners can improve soil health, suppress weeds, attract pollinators, and even deter pests.
White clover, for instance, makes an excellent companion for raspberries. Acting as a living mulch, it improves soil nitrogen levels while suppressing weeds. Moreover, white clover attracts bees and other pollinators, contributing to a healthier raspberry crop.
However, not all plants make suitable companions for raspberries. Strawberries, for example, should be avoided due to shared diseases and pests. Similarly, blackberries and other members of the Rubus genus should not be planted near raspberries, as they can potentially share viruses and soil-borne fungal diseases.
Potatoes and other nightshades should also be kept at a distance, as they can lead to potential blight and verticillium wilt.
But there are plants that can enhance the raspberry patch. Serena Manickam, a freelance editor, writer, and sustainable market gardener in rural Virginia, recommends garlic, chives, tansy, marigolds, and clover. These plants, she says, attract pollinators, deter pests, enrich the soil, provide food, and allow space for new raspberry canes.
Manickam, who holds a BA in environmental science and runs Fairydiddle Farm, a small market garden where she grows no-spray produce and herbs to sell at a local farmer's market, also praises the benefits of yarrow. This plant, which blooms midsummer into fall, attracts pollinators and predatory insects that feed on pests like Harlequin bugs. With soft, ferny foliage and lovely flowers available in various colours, yarrow is a beautiful addition to any garden.
Chives and marigolds, when planted with raspberries, can be beneficial, provided they share similar growing requirements but not the same diseases.
By carefully selecting companion plants, raspberry growers can create a thriving, biodiverse garden that not only produces delicious fruit but also supports a healthy ecosystem.
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