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Companion plant a bit too successful?

HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
in Problem solving
Trying to garden as organically as I can and thought I'd try out some companion planting. I liked the idea of growing borage in with the strawbs to see if it does improve the flavour. Don't know yet as we've only 1 ripe one so far, but the whole crop is in danger of being over-shadowed by these YUGE borage! And this is only 1 of 4 and I don't think it's anywhere near finished growing.



What to do? Don't want to disturb the strawbs by pulling the borage, debating whether to just cut them down. I've got lots of it growing elsewhere but I hate taking plants out (I can't even thin seedlings!) Will my strawbs ripen regardless?
It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    They might but will ripen better if they're not overshadowed by the borage leaves - all you need do is cut the borage down to the base. Also, those big leaves are a handy staircase for slugs and snails to the strawberries!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    Erk! Thanks Lizzie. Going to put my ruthless head on! Well, I would if I had one...
    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Kill it, sorry borage is a terrible idea with strawberries, it gets over a meter high and a meter round so not at all suitable close to a strawberry.
  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    Skandi said:
    Kill it, sorry borage is a terrible idea with strawberries, it gets over a meter high and a meter round so not at all suitable close to a strawberry.
    Thanks Skandi. I wouldn't mind, but I got the idea from the companion planting thread on the GW website. No mention of this issue and I'm a complete novice, so had no idea!
    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    Probably fine a foot away but as you've found it's quite sizable. I've had it growing self seeded between squashes in the past and they weren't as big as usual, I put it down to the borage shading.

    I wouldn't think pulling it should interfere with the strawberries but if in doubt it could always be cut down low, perhaps the goodness in the roots may be beneficial.

    That being said I think it's a fantastic plant as the bees love it, it smells like cucumber, it self seeds like crazy but is easy to remove.  
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    They don't much like to be moved, but you might get away with it.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    They don't much like to be moved, but you might get away with it.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just take the borage out. It won't disturb the strawberries. 
    If you leave it, you're creating an area of poor airflow for the strawbs, which will be worse than anything for them.
    They need adequate sunlight to ripen well, but being crowded by other plants certainly isn't good for them.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HeartinthedirtHeartinthedirt Posts: 300
    Thanks everyone, all advice much appreciated, as always 😊👍
    It's knowing what to do with things that counts - Robert Frost
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