Strawberry guild

A small system where the strawberry, surrounded by garlic, onion, borage, spinach and sage, enjoys a more varied bed, well visited by pollinators.

Level: Beginner 1 season (March to September)

The guild's plates

Introduction

The strawberry guild puts the strawberry at the centre, surrounded by traditional companions: borage, sage, spinach and two alliums, garlic and onion.

Background

Around the strawberry, each companion has a role: garlic and onion (alliums) are traditionally reputed to hinder pests and fungi (effect shown mostly in the laboratory); borage, very nectar-rich, draws in bees and bumblebees that improve pollination; spinach occupies the space early in the season and gives the soil a little protection; sage, along the edge, is nectar-rich and reputedly protective.

Who this guide is for

Beginner or experienced gardeners growing strawberries in the open ground, in containers, along a border, or at the foot of fruit trees.

Why it matters

A well-composed guild can improve pollination (and so the fertilisation of the strawberries) and protect the soil, while giving several harvests on the same area (strawberries + spinach + garlic/onion + sage). Its effect on pests and diseases is mainly traditional.

What to understand before starting

A spot in gentle sun or part shade, rich soil, slightly acidic, cool and well mulched.
Strawberry plants (rows or mat), garlic cloves or onion bulbs, borage plants, spinach seeds or plants, 1 or 2 sage plants.
Mulch (straw, hay, RCW, ramial chipped wood, i.e. shredded young branches, dry clippings) to cover the soil.

Detailed steps

Step 1
Set up the strawberry mat
Plant the strawberries in lines or as a mat, in the chosen spot.
Step 2
Slip garlic and onion between the strawberries
Place a few garlic cloves or small onion bulbs rather along the edge or in a staggered pattern, without crowding the bed.
Step 3
Scatter the borage
Set up a few borage plants in patches, not too tight, so their tall stems do not crush the strawberries but bring flowers above them.
Step 4
Sow or plant spinach early in the season
Intersperse spinach between the strawberries early in the season: it will be harvested before the strawberries need all the light.
Step 5
Add the sage along the edge
Plant 1 or 2 sage plants along the edge of the bed (not in the middle), as a nectar-rich plant with a protective reputation.
Step 6
Mulch and maintain
Keep a good permanent mulch to hold moisture, feed the soil and limit weeds. Trim the borage if it spreads too much.

Concrete examples

Vegetable-garden border: a strawberry mat dotted with garlic/onion, 2 or 3 borages scattered, patches of spinach early in the season, 1 sage at the end of the border.
Large container (60 L+): 4 to 6 strawberries, 2 garlic cloves, 1 small borage, 1 spinach plant in spring, 1 compact sage on the side.
Foot of a fruit tree: a crown of strawberries around the trunk, garlic scattered, borage and sage along the outer edge.

Common mistakes to avoid

Planting too densely: the bed becomes humid and fungal diseases set in.
Putting the sage among the strawberries: it takes up too much room, keep it for the edge.
Forgetting to mulch: the soil dries out and fruiting drops.
Letting the borage crush the strawberries: cut it back if its stems fall onto them.

Tips & best practices

Renew the strawberry mat roughly every 3 years to keep production up.
Let the borage and sage go to flower: very attractive to bumblebees and hoverflies.
Harvest the spinach before it bolts to free up light for the strawberries.
Keep a good mulch (straw or hay) for clean strawberries, safe from splashing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this guild on a balcony?: Yes, in a large container (60 L minimum): a few strawberries, 1 or 2 garlic cloves, a small borage, a little spinach in spring and a sage on the side.
Doesn't the garlic bother the strawberries?: No, in reasonable amounts and rather along the edge, garlic is a traditional companion of the strawberry, reputed to hinder some diseases and pests, without competing with it.
Why sage along the edge and not in the middle?: Sage is bulky and persistent: in the middle it would cast shade and compete with the strawberries. Along the edge, it draws in pollinators without getting in the way, and tradition holds it to be protective.

Key takeaways

The strawberry stays at the centre; each companion is placed around it according to its role.
Roles: production, protection, pollination, space optimisation, nectar-rich border.
Permanent mulch and an airy mat for healthy, productive strawberries.

Sources

RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) : How to grow strawberries (rhs.org.uk/fruit/strawberries/grow-your-own)
Hemenway, T. (2009). Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture (2e éd.). White River Junction : Chelsea Green.
Parker, J.E., Snyder, W.E., Hamilton, G.C. & Rodriguez-Saona, C. (2013). Companion planting and insect pest control. In Weed and Pest Control: Conventional and New Challenges. InTech.

Back to all guides