Most ferns share the blueberry plants growing conditions, as they do very well in partial sun and acidic soil. Salad greens like lettuce can take up valuable space and nutrients that blueberries need to thrive. Mountain Laurel 9. Parsley: Parsley flourishes in slightly acidic soil so it can easily be grown alongside blueberry bushes. This makes them problematic for other crops as they can easily block the sun from reaching them. These materials are acidic and will help to maintain the low pH that blueberries prefer. Nightshades, brassicas, melons, and salad greens are all bad companion plants for blueberries. using coffee grounds can be a great way to support the growth and health of blueberry plants. Blueberries are self-pollinating. Consider this soil tester to check the PH of your soil. Both fruit shrubs thrive in full sun and somewhat acidic soil. To address this, you can broadcast 1/4 cup of Epsom salt in a 10-inch diameter around the plant and water it thoroughly. Unfortunately, onions do not make great blueberry companion plants because, like tomatoes and eggplants, they take a lot of minerals out of the soil. When it coms to what to put around your blueberry bushes, the best option is mulch. The flowers of tomato plants are yellow with petals growing in clusters of around five to twelve blossoms. Low bush blueberries tend to tolerate colder temperatures whereas less cold hardy varieties like highbush blueberries can be damaged in temperatures around 0F (-17C). What are the best blueberry companion plants for your garden? Pro Tip: Blueberries need plenty of airflow to avoid fungal diseases. This low-growing plant offers great ground cover for blueberries, retaining moisture, suppressing weeds, and protecting roots. The oil from Marigolds has been proven to be a great deterrent for many different pests. Gardening in Arizona? Nightshades, such as tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, are not good companion plants for blueberries. They grow up to three feet tall and do not take up as much space as the pole variety, which makes them ideal companions when compared to them. Strawberries and blueberries thrive in similar soil requirements and both happen to be easy to grow garden fruit. Where is the best place to plant a blueberry bush? The erect and ascending stems are usually covered with sticky and dense hairs. Weed Prevention: Good companion plants can provide fast growing ground cover that help to suppress surrounding weeds. In fact, its recommended to plant multiple varieties together to ensure a better yield and larger berries. Grow a Pop of Color: Plant Glass Gem Popcorn for an Eye-Catching Harvest! They perform best in acidic and moist, but well-drained soils and in full sun! Additionally, synthetic mulches like black plastic or landscape fabric should be avoided as they can prevent water from reaching the roots and can cause the soil to become too hot. Lilacs also provide shade. Gardening Fans Rejoice: Unlock the Benefits of Companion Planting with Chamomile! Place seeds about 1/4 inch deep. Your email address will not be published. As an added bonus, parsley attracts black swallowtail butterflies (beneficial pollinators). Low, groundcover crops can repel insect pests, attract bees, and look pretty at the same time. Blueberries are a great addition to any garden, but its important to consider which plants should not be grown near them. If you have a backyard garden or raised beds, choose plants with similar growing requirements. Plant These Heat-Tolerant Tomatoes for Maximum Yield! Green Packs is a gardening blog that helps people make their garden thrive, no matter their level of experience. Berry bushes should be planted at least 2, 3, or 4 feet apart from each other. To maximize blueberry yield, there are several important factors to consider. Pole beans grow as vines and are prolific climbers and make a perfect addition to trellises and garden borders. Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients, particularly nitrogen, wich can encourage healthy growth in plants. This gardening method has been adopted by gardeners and farmers for years to maximize yield in their gardens. The best companion plants for blueberries are strawberries, clover, legumes, oak, pine, and wildflowers. What NOT to Plant With Blueberries There are many plants that make good companions for blueberries. Cabbage plants grow anywhere up to 24 inches tall and 30 inches wide. If youre looing to add a bit of crunch to your blueberry mix, consider pairing it with celery. Additionally, these plants do not compete with blueberries for nutrients, so you can keep these two plants side by side without seeing either ones performance suffer. Plant new blueberry bushes in the fall or if you face very cold winters, wait until early spring. The pH levels of 6.0 to 6.8 are going to be ideal for cabbages. Cabbage 3. Were here to help! Blueberry bush tends to thrive more when it cross-pollinates with a different variety although it is a self-fertile plant. She is the mother of two young children and also enjoys writing for GreenPacks.org in her spare time. It can also be planted in late fall in all but the coldest regions. The best months to plant blueberry bushes are either in the fall, before mid-October, or in the early spring after the danger of severe freezing has passed. Keep the medium moist with a spray bottle until the seedlings emerge. are the most important thing you should be aware of if you plan to grow blueberries or already have them in your garden. Brassicas: Brassicas such as cabbage, broccoli, and kale are heavy feeders and have the potential to take much needed nutrients from your blueberry plants. Some of the most popular fruit pairings with blueberries include strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Additionally, blueberries are acid-loving plants, and coffee grounds are highly acidic, making them an excellent addition to soil that needs to be more acidic. Borage: Borage is an annual herb hailing from the Mediterranean and it is known for its medicinal uses. Companion planting could be as simple as growing flowers near your crops to attract pollinating insects or growing two vegetables alongside each other to confuse or repel pests. Planting the trap crop ahead of your target crop will ensure the pests stay away from delicate seedlings. These can grow up to 15 feet tall and take up a lot of space. Its also best to avoid planting melons and salad greens like lettuce near blueberries. Another plant you shouldnt overlook as a companion for your blueberry is the mountain laurel. Blueberries are easy plants that can be highly beneficial to many herbs and flowers. Natural Supports: Strong, tall plants such as sunflowers and corn offer trailing plants or low growing plants like peas and cucumbers a strong trellis-like support to climb and spread. There is a huge number of tomato varieties you can grow in your garden. Choosing the right companion plants, such as radishes, potatoes, peppers, endive, and parsley, can also help to support the growth of your blueberries. Planting these next to heavy or light feeders that use up nitrogen will create the perfect growing conditions for your crops to thrive. The wild plants are often found in well draining soil around evergreen trees. Lewisias are a low-grower plant that can be grown alongside blueberries. However, its important to note that if the soil is suffering from high pH levels, adding Epsom salt wont be effective. Its important to keep the soil moist to a depth of 1 inch, but not waterlogged. To make blueberry soil more acidic, you need to amen each soil with compost each season. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Both plants add rich bight foliage and cheery blooms to the garden. Blueberries will tolerate partial shades but they are best planted in the sun for larger and sweet fruit. Companion gardening stretches beyond the confines of conventional gardening to bushes (blueberry bushes), orchards, trees and shrubs, grains, grasses, and other field crops. Brassicas are like decoys to blueberry plants, and growing these together can only cause harm to both! The best season to have blueberries planted is spring. Source: Companion Planting in Australia - Brenda Little For more information see the article - What is Companion Planting and How Does it Work? Read more. This vegetable has a wide range of culinary uses and healing properties. Bad companion plants for blueberries are the most important thing you should be aware of if you plan to grow blueberries or already have them in your garden. Another action that you can take to ensure your blueberry plants thrive is to make sure that you are thinking of blueberry companion plants plants that will create a harmonious environment, encouraging each others healthy growth and helping to deter pests. Heather 5. Be the first to rate this post. It is important to ensure that the plants you receive are healthy and that their roots are moist. However, you should avoid using dyed mulches, such as black or red, as these can contain harmful chemicals. Additionally, its important to pay attention to the weather and adjust watering accordingly. Beets will grow and produce crops throughout the year, but you should store your final crop some 10 weeks before the first heavy frost. Caroline takes great pride in her work, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her writing. 7 Bad Companion Plants for Blueberries 1. Cabbage plants grow anywhere up to 24 inches tall and 30 inches wide. When it comes to mulching your blueberries, its important to use the riht materials. Companion planting is when two plants are grown near each other for the benefit of one of those plants or both-so the benefit can be one way or mutual. Along with pests, Asparagus is very prone to fungi, wilt, and rust, along with plenty of viruses, which can influence the growth of your blueberries poorly. Blueberries attract butterflies and berry-eating mammals, and thyme can help keep the harmful pests away. The best companion plants for blueberries are basil, thyme and rhubarb. Whether you keep your blueberries in containers or right in the ground, planting them in acidic soil with enough room to grow, and giving them plenty of water to drink will help get them started off right. Mango, banana, and pineapple are also great choices for pairing with blueberries. Azaleas thrive in the same growing conditions as blueberries. Eggplant plants grow up to four feet tall and three feet wide. Azalea: Azalea can help to boost health and productivity of your blueberry bushes. Rabbits and deer generally do not like ferns. Pine trees are hardy evergreens that acidify the soil. Some companion plants can also add nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil. To pave way for successful blueberry cultivation, grow cover crops like grasses on the planting site before planting your blueberry. You should also avoid using synthetic mulches, such as black plastic or landscape fabric, as these can prevent water from reaching the roots of the blueberry bushes. The strongly scented and densely populated compound leaves are growing in an alternating fashion and each is. Follow this easy guide to get started today! Strawberries: Strawberry plants can tolerate slightly acidic soil (PH 5.4 and 6.5) and generally thrive in the same soil as blueberry plants. Thyme and blueberries will do great planted near each other. Fruits 7. Temperatures: Depending on the variety of blueberry, they can survive temperatures down to -30 degrees F (-34 degrees C) . This plant is often used for border edge and landscaping accents but it can help attract butterflies to your garden which are great pollinators. When it comes to growing vegetables alongside blueberries, there are a few options that can thrive in the same soil and conditions. You dont need to leave your blueberry shrub alone in the garden when they are companion plants that can aid its growth and keep in mind that they are also plants you should not grow blueberries. Facebook Skype Email Print Like this: Loading. Frequently Asked Questions About Blueberries, Juicy Smoked Turkey Recipe Traeger, Pit Boss, or Other Pellet Grill, Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Recipe (Artisan + Sandwich Loaf), Smoked Venison Tenderloin (Deer Tenderloin), Ultimate Venison Burgers | Quick + Easy Deer Burger Recipe, Smoked Baked Beans Recipe (Pellet Grill Baked Beans), Classic Sourdough Discard Bagels Recipe (New York Style), Turnip Companion Plants A Guide for What & What NOT to Plant. Unleash the Power of Barberry: How to Incorporate this Deer-Resistant Plant into Your Garden, Growing a Fenestrated Monstera: A Gardener's Guide to Holey Leaves. Best Raspberry companion plants include Garlic, Onion, Marigold, Tansy, Chives, Chamomile, Rue, Yarrow, Turnip, etc. To get the best of blueberry plants, professionals recommend companion planting. The cabbage comes in various shapes and sizes for around-the-year harvesting regimes. When it wilts and falls, borage creates great natural mulch for blueberries. Which plants should you avoid planting with blueberries? Thyme tolerates slightly acidic soil and its strong scent makes it a natural pest repellant. Cabbage comes from a strong family of vegetables that include kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflowers, and other green, leafy sprouts. If you want to learn more about growing rhubarb in general, make sure to . Melons, sage and potatoes are all plants that shouldn't be grown right next to cucumbers. This includes kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. How far apart should you plant berry bushes? Ferns, basil, and thyme grow close to the ground, allowing the soil to retain moisture, meanwhile, azaleas and borage help attract valuable pollinators to help you get the best blueberry crop possible. Blueberry bushes require a consistent supply of nitrogen, which can be provided by coffee grounds. Beets are easy to grow and incredibly delicious. Lilacs: Lilacs are one of the best companion plants for blueberries for several reasons: They attract pollinators (bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps), they can provide part shade to fend off heat stress on particularly hot days, have a beautiful scent, and come in a variety of colours to suit any garden. Its recommended to sprinkle a thin layer of coffee grounds around the base of the blueberry bushes and then cover them with a layer of mulch or compost. One of the most effective ways to do this is by incorporating peat moss into the planting medium. Mimosa Tree vs Powderpuff Tree: Which Is Best for Gardening Fans? It also grows really slow, it can take up to 2 or 3 years before you start getting large harvests but it also happens to be a plant worth having in your garden. Gardening with Real Bananas: Unlocking the Potential of Seeds! On top of that, asparagus will require pH levels of up to eight soil alkalinity your blueberries just wont stand living in. You can definitely grow strawberries and blueberries together! They are biennial vegetables grown as annuals for their sweet roots, and green parts for salads. Lingonberries. Below are some main problems you might want to avoid when choosing companion plants for blueberries. Unrelated to light sources, they should be planted in alkaline soil thats well-fertile and drained. Tomatoes are prolific growers, which will accentuate any herb border and adorn every garden with their beautiful red fruits! Beets are also considered to be bad neighbors to blueberries. This herb also regulates temperature and moisture. Second, it is important to select the right blueberry varieties for your region and climate. If you want to grow all of these berries, grow them in pots. They are, The second on our no-go list is a garden favorite the tomato plant. Rhododendron come in a variety of colours boasting beautiful flowers and foliage and require slightly more shade than blueberries, making them an excellent layer in your food forest or other permaculture set-up. By proviing the right growing conditions and adding the appropriate materials to the soil, you can help your blueberry plants to thrive and produce a bountiful harvest. They are a cool-season crop that is fun, quick, and easy to grow from seed. Companion planting is a time-tested gardening method that can be of great benefit to blueberry shrubs. Please log in again. By planting these vegetables alongside your blueberries, you can create a diverse and productive garden space. Nightshades, brassicas, melons, and salad greens are all bad companion plants for blueberries. Companion plants should be planted at the same time you plant the berry bush. Not all plants get along. Hydrangea 12. Additionally, Eggplants (and tomatoes, too, for that matter) can attract pesky insects, like aphids, mites, and stink bugs, who will be all too happy to chow down on your blueberries once theyre done eating your vegetables. Foes: Aromatic herbs such as sage which will stunt the growth of cucumbers. Join our dynamic garden community. Michelle Sanders is an outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about teaching others how to observe and support their local wildlife. is the practice of planting different plants together in order to take advantage of their unique characteristics and benefits. Their blooms attract pollinators to the blueberry plants, helping the bushes to set fruit. Read More Parsley Companion Planting Guide What and What NOT to PlantContinue. What Flowers Can Be Planted With Rosemary? Rhododendron & azalea 4. More from our companion planting archive: No votes so far! Fern 10. As the leaves die and fall off, they surround neighboring plants with the organic matter needed to lock in moisture and restore nutrient levels. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your blueberry bushes have the best chance of thriving in your garden. They enjoy full sun with mild protection from extreme temperature swings. Basil makes a wonderful blueberry companion plant because it grows well in acidic soil, and doesnt require a whole lot of attention, aside from regular waterings. We believe that gardening is one of the best ways to get in touch with nature, and we're committed to helping people enjoy all the benefits that come with it. There are many plants that make good companions for blueberries. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! WildYards is reader-supported. These materials help to retain moisture and keep the soil cool, which is important for blueberry growth. Companion planting with taller plants can also provide shade for sun-sensitive plants with shallow roots. Columbine 8. It is important to make sure that evergreens are situated in such a way that they dont shade your plants too much. Good companion plants for rhubarb are kale, turnips, cabbage, broccoli, beans, strawberries, onions, garlic and cauliflowers. Legumes include: Beans When planning your garden, its best to avoid planting nightshades, brassicas, melons, and salad greens near your blueberry plants to ensure their optimal growth and health. Hydrangea is a lovely plant to pair with your blueberry. Its widely grown as a vegetable, and it is one of the first vegetables that are crop ready every year, producing the majority of the growth in the early spring! Citronella and lemongrass can also help deter pests from wrecking your blueberry bushes. By following these guidelines, you can maximize blueberry yield and enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, nutritious fruit. So, if youre looking to add some variety to your garden and enjoy fresh berries, try planting strawberries and blueberries together. Strawberries are low-growing plants that spread and act as a natural ground cover, which can help to keep the soil aroud the blueberry shrubs moist and weed-free. There is nothing like a bowl of sweet blueberries, companion planting blueberries is fun and delicious. They perform best in fertile soils, neutral to acidic, and in full sun. Blueberries are a versatile fruit that can be paired with a variety of other fruits to create delicious and healthy combinations. Required fields are marked *. WildYards is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Others add important nutrients to the soil that your blueberries need to thrive. Kohlrabi is a particularly harmful companion plant because it can stunt growth. Growing blueberries tend to require a lot of patience but with the right companion plant, this is sure to be more accessible. It is a vital component of permaculture. As mentioned, beans are vining plants and they will seclude your blueberry plants. But you dont want to see them near blueberries! Additionally, blackberries tolerate the acidity blueberry shrubs need. This dill companion planting guide will encourage the culinary herbs growth and will help to deter unwanted pests from moving in and snacking. The plants are a valuable addition to borders, vegetable gardens, and raised beds. Sunflower What Characteristics To Look Out For In The Worst Plants To Pair With Blueberries? Blueberries are no exception here. What Is 19-19-19 Fertilizer And When Should You Use It? Some Bad Companion Plants For Blueberries Proven Tips for Better Companion Planting for Blueberries In the End Why Does Blueberry Need Companion Plants? By avoiding these plants and using the right mulching materials, you can ensure that your blueberry bushes thrive and produce a bountiful harvest for years to come. Eggplants are incredibly easy to grow and come in various shapes and sizes. To increase the yield of your blueberry patch and enhance its growth, below are some of the best companion plants for them; Strawberry is the first plant that comes to mind as a companion to your blueberries. A Complete Guide, Top Plants That Look Like Brocolli to Grow in Your Kitchen Garden, Philodendron Grandipes Care: A Complete Overview of the Exuberant Beauty. Only young Asparagus spears are eaten and if not picked on time they will turn woody and wont be as nutritious. Is the white and silver sheen on blueberries mould? Having basil planted in your garden provides flavoring for hundreds of recipes. Its, Beans are vining vegetables grown in almost every vegetable garden in the world! Beets are excellent companions for radishes, beans, garlic, onions, lettuce, catnips, and aromatic herbs. Some Herbs 6. Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious addition to any garden. Blueberries are very easy to grow but it does require lots of patience for them to produce fruits. and borage ( Borago officinalis) are honeybee magnets. This guide will help you to determine what seeds you should be starting indoors and which seeds can be directly sown outside in the month of May.