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Wild strawberries and sage.

Due to space limitations, I might have to stick something in with my Alpine Yellow strawberries. I came across a blog that mentions sage (which I already have as seedlings) as a companion to strawberries.

However, I can't find any other websites that back this up, so am a little worried about risking it. I don't mind if they aren't beneficial to each other, just so long as they aren't incompatible or damaging to each other. 


Does anyone have any experience planting wild strawberries and sage together? Thanks image

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    I can't see how they could damage each other unless one grew much more quickly and swamped the other



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Katherine WKatherine W Posts: 410

    Sage and strawberries do well together; since sage attracts pollinators (when in flower) and has some pest repelling qualities it is a good companion for lots of things. The problem is that a well grown plant can become huge and floppy and swamp smaller things beside it. So, even if the space is limited, make sure the strawberries have enough elbow room. Cut the sage back hard every spring (but not into old bare wood), and again after it's done blooming, and replace old leggy plants with younger cuttings image

  • Thanks for the replies. 

     

    Katherine, that's great news. Thank you for your detailed advice. I will put them together soon and keep an eye (and a pair of pruning shears) on the sage. 

  • Katherine WKatherine W Posts: 410

    You are welcome! If sage turns out to be too much for the strawberries, put thyme instead. It has all the qualities of sage as a companion plant, but it's better matched in size to the strawberries image

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698

    Sage can get quite shrubby, and alpine strawberries have a sort of mound of soft foliage that will hide the sage's 'legs'. Alpine strawberry is also happy in shade so I wouldn't overly worry about it being swamped or shaded by the sage. I'd say this sounds like a good combination.

    The only reason I would not naturally think of putting them together, is I think of sage as a lover of hot dry sites, whereas the strawberry is a woodland edge type of plant. But both will do perfectly well in normal soil in sun.

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • JRBrownJRBrown Posts: 4

    Companion planting has many beneficial like pest control and increased yields. Borage, Sage and caraway are great when it comes to companion planting.

  • Katherine WKatherine W Posts: 410

    Yep! I do a lot of companion planting! I would add calendula (pot marigold) and foxglove to the list of good companions. But don't get distracted at harvest time and gather foxglove for your saladsimage

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