Growing raspberries can be a lot easier and more rewarding when you plant the right companions nearby. Companion plants can help protect your raspberries from pests, improve soil health, and even boost their growth. Some of the best companion plants for raspberries include herbs like mint and chives, as well as flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums.
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These plants work by keeping harmful bugs away and attracting helpful insects that pollinate your raspberries. They can also stop weeds from taking over and help keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Knowing what to plant near your raspberries can make your garden healthier and more productive.
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If you want to make the most of your raspberry patch, learning about good companion plants is a simple step that can make a big difference. Keep reading to find out which plants will support your raspberries and how to arrange them for the best results.
Best Companion Plants for Raspberries
Choosing the right plants to grow near your raspberries can improve their health and yield. Some flowers attract helpful insects, while certain fruiting plants and herbs boost growth or protect against pests.
Beneficial Flowers to Grow with Raspberries
Planting flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums near raspberries is a smart choice. Marigolds help repel harmful bugs, such as aphids and beetles, that can damage raspberry bushes.
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Nasturtiums attract pollinators like bees, which help boost raspberry fruit production. They also draw aphids away from your raspberries. Another flower to consider is yarrow. It improves soil health and attracts predatory insects that eat pests.
You can arrange these flowers in small groups around your raspberry plants to create a natural pest control system.
Fruiting Plant Partners
Strawberries are great fruiting companions for raspberries. They cover the soil, helping keep weeds down and reducing moisture loss.
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Blueberries also grow well with raspberries. Both prefer slightly acidic soil. Planting them close saves space and can support similar care routines, like watering and fertilizing.
Avoid planting raspberries near blackberries. They can compete for nutrients and attract pests that harm both plants.
Herbs That Enhance Raspberry Growth
Some herbs help raspberries by improving soil or keeping bugs away. Garlic is a popular choice because it deters pests like spider mites and aphids.
Chives work similarly and also attract beneficial insects. Mint is useful but plant it in a separate pot nearby because it spreads quickly and can crowd out raspberries.
You can plant these herbs along the edges of your raspberry patch to protect and support your berries.
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Plants to Avoid Near Raspberries
Some plants can cause problems when grown near your raspberries. These plants compete for nutrients, attract pests, or spread diseases that harm your raspberry bushes.
Incompatible Vegetables
Avoid planting potatoes near raspberries. Potatoes can spread a disease called blight, which also affects raspberries. This disease makes leaves yellow and spots appear, weakening your plants.
Tomatoes and peppers are not good neighbors either. They share pests like aphids and beetles that can attack your raspberries. These vegetables also compete for nutrients, making it harder for raspberries to grow well.
Corn is another vegetable to keep away. It attracts pests like corn borers, which can move to raspberries and cause damage. Plus, corn grows tall and may shade your bushes, reducing sunlight.
Problematic Herbs
Fennel is a herb you should never plant near raspberries. It releases chemicals that stop the growth of many garden plants, including raspberries.
Mint is another herb to avoid. It spreads quickly and can take over the space around your raspberry bushes. This makes it hard for raspberries to get enough water and nutrients.
Rosemary and sage are better kept far from raspberries too. These herbs have strong scents and oils that may repel helpful insects or attract pests that harm your raspberries.
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