Picture yourself walking through your garden, with sunlight shining through the apple trees and a patch of vibrant, green strawberry plants with ripe, red fruits growing in the dappled shade.
But is this dream possible?
Yes, you can grow strawberries under apple trees. This practice, known as underplanting or interplanting, can be a great way to maximize garden space. It also offers several benefits, such as improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and creating a more aesthetically pleasing garden.
This isn’t just a gardener’s daydream. Growing strawberries under apple trees can be a delightful and productive use of space in your garden.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to successfully grow strawberries under apple trees, read on.
Finding answers to your questions is key when learning to care for your apple trees. You’ll find the helpful, detailed answers you’re looking for in my article, Common Apple Tree Questions. Read it today!
Key Takeaways
- Strawberries and apple trees can be quite compatible when grown together. Benefits include improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and creating a more aesthetically pleasing garden.
- The site should have well-draining soil and a slightly acidic pH.
- Consider the mature size of the apple tree to ensure the strawberries will receive sufficient sunlight. Strawberries should be planted about 12-18 inches apart.
- Regular watering, feeding, and pest and disease management are crucial for the health of your strawberries.
- Use organic pest control methods where possible and consider netting your strawberries to protect them from birds.
Growing Strawberries Under Apple Trees
Growing strawberries under apple trees can be a rewarding endeavor, yielding a double bounty of delicious fruit.
However, to achieve this, it’s important to understand the needs of both plants and how they can complement each other.
Compatibility of Strawberries and Apple Trees
Strawberries and apple trees can be quite compatible when grown together.
Apple trees, with their tall stature and spreading canopy, can provide the moderate shade that strawberries need to protect them from the intense midday sun.
The strawberries, in turn, can act as a living mulch, helping to suppress weeds and maintain soil moisture under the apple trees.
This symbiotic relationship can also bring additional benefits.
For example, strawberry plants can attract beneficial insects that help to pollinate the apple flowers, potentially increasing your apple yield.
Furthermore, the strawberries’ ground-covering growth habit can help to prevent soil erosion and improve soil health and biodiversity.
Selecting Suitable Strawberry Varieties
When growing strawberries under apple trees, it’s important to select varieties that are well-suited to your local climate and soil conditions.
Everbearing varieties, such as ‘Ozark Beauty’ and ‘Quinault’, can be a good choice as they produce fruit throughout the growing season, providing a continuous harvest.
If you live in a region with cold winters, consider hardy varieties like ‘Honeoye’ or ‘Allstar’ that can withstand low temperatures.
Site Selection and Preparation
Choosing the right site is crucial when growing strawberries under apple trees. The site should have well-draining soil as both strawberries and apple trees are susceptible to root diseases in waterlogged conditions.
The soil pH should be slightly acidic, which is preferred by both plants.
Before planting, prepare the site by removing any weeds or grass and amending the soil with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure.
This will improve soil fertility and structure, promoting the healthy growth of your plants.
Planting Techniques and Spacing Considerations
When planting strawberries under apple trees, consider the mature size of the apple tree to ensure the strawberries will receive sufficient sunlight.
Plant the strawberries between the drip line (the outer edge of the tree’s canopy) and about a foot or two inside it.
This will ensure the strawberries receive enough light while still benefiting from the tree’s shade during the hottest part of the day.
Strawberry plants should be spaced about 12-18 inches apart to allow them enough room to grow and spread.
When planting, ensure the crown of the strawberry plant (the part where the stem and roots meet) is level with the soil surface.
Planting too deeply can cause the crown to rot while planting too shallowly can lead to drying out of the roots.
Care and Maintenance of Strawberries Under an Apple Tree
Strawberries require consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root diseases. A layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool.
Feeding your strawberries with a balanced, organic fertilizer (this one is excellent) can promote healthy growth and fruit production.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers as they can encourage leaf growth at the expense of fruit.
Monitor your plants regularly for pests and diseases. Common strawberry pests include slugs, snails, and birds. Diseases can include fungal infections like powdery mildew.
Use organic pest control methods where possible, and consider netting your strawberries to protect them from birds.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
While growing strawberries under apple trees can be beneficial, there are potential challenges to consider.
These include competition for water and nutrients, the potential for disease spread, and the need for careful pruning of the apple tree to ensure enough light reaches the strawberries.
It’s also important to consider that not all apple trees may be suitable for underplanting, particularly those that have shallow root systems or require a lot of care themselves.
Other Plants That Grow Well Under Apple Trees
In addition to strawberries, there are other plants that can thrive under apple trees.
These include shade-tolerant herbs like mint and lemon balm, leafy greens like spinach and lettuce, and other small fruits like currants and gooseberries.
These plants can provide additional yields from your apple tree guild and contribute to a diverse and resilient garden ecosystem.
Underplanting Fruit Trees: Tips
Underplanting fruit trees can be a great way to maximize space and biodiversity in your garden. Here are some tips for success:
- Choose compatible plants that have similar water and light requirements.
- Prepare the site well by improving the soil with organic matter and ensuring good drainage.
- Consider the mature size of the tree and the underplants to ensure enough light and space.
- Regularly monitor and care for your plants to keep them healthy and productive.
Related Questions:
What Can You Not Plant Near Strawberries?
Certain plants, like cabbage and other brassicas, can inhibit the growth of strawberries and should be avoided.
Also, avoid planting strawberries near plants that are susceptible to Verticillium wilt as strawberries can be carriers of this disease.
Can Strawberries Grow in Partial Shade?
Yes, strawberries can grow in partial shade and can actually benefit from some protection from the intense midday sun. However, they do need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to produce a good crop.
Final Thoughts
Growing strawberries under apple trees can be a rewarding endeavor, offering a double bounty of delicious fruit and a beautiful garden setting.
With careful selection of suitable strawberry varieties, proper site preparation, and attentive care and maintenance, you can create a thriving underplanting system.
Happy gardening!
Knowledge is power, so learn all you can to ensure your apple trees remain healthy and productive. Be sure to read these articles next:
- Rhubarb Under Apple Trees: What To Know Before Planting
- Espalier Apple Tree: What To Know Before Getting Started