What will happen if you combine strawberries and asparagus in your garden?
Strawberries, with their shallow roots, thrive alongside the deep-rooted asparagus, optimizing soil use and nutrient absorption.
By planting these plants together, you can create an efficient garden bed, promising bountiful harvests of fresh, delicious produce for years.
Summary
- Planting strawberries and asparagus together saves space and boosts growth for both plants.
- Both plants help protect each other from pests, reducing the need for chemicals.
- You can expect up to 70 quarts off strawberry and up to 20 lbs of asparagus in the fourth year.
When choosing strawberry varieties, consider ‘Albion’ or ‘Seascape’ for everbearing options that provide continuous harvests.
Strawberries are usually ready to pick in late spring to early summer. You look for berries that are fully red and plump.
Asparagus, on the other hand, is best harvested when the spears are about 6 to 8 inches tall in early spring.
Productivity
| Plant Type | Yield per Plant (Year 2) | Total Yield per Plot (Year 2) | Mature Yield per Plot (Year 4) |
| Strawberries | ½ to 1 quart | 35 to 70 quarts | 35 to 70 quarts |
| Asparagus | Small initial harvest | Small initial harvest | 15 to 20 lbs |
By the second year, each strawberry plant yields ½ to 1 quart annually, amounting to 35-70 quarts per plot.
To maintain this yield, transplant runners yearly and remove non-bearing plants in the fourth year.
For asparagus, planting two-year-old crowns will provide a small harvest by the third spring, increasing to 15-20 lbs annually after the fourth year.
During the initial harvest, only pick spears that are at least finger-thick, harvesting for six weeks before allowing the ferns to grow, which nourish the roots for winter.
While some loss due to mold, weeds, and wildlife is inevitable, the complementary growth habits of these plants optimize space and nutrient use.
FAQs
Why should I grow strawberries and asparagus together?
Asparagus provides shade for strawberries, keeping them cool and moist, while strawberries help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
How do I store harvested asparagus and strawberries?
Store asparagus by wrapping the stalks in a damp paper towel and refrigerating them.
Strawberries should be placed in a single layer on a damp paper towel and refrigerated. Both can be frozen for longer storage.
How can permaculture principles be applied to growing strawberries and asparagus together?
Strawberries’ shallow roots and asparagus’s deep roots optimize soil use.
In addition, mulching retains moisture and suppresses weeds, creating a low-maintenance, sustainable garden.
