Home - Garden
Give Homegrown Raspberries A Boost With 2 Companion Plants
By JESSICA DANIELS
While raspberries are relatively easier to grow than other fruits, you can further boost their growth with some companion plants, mainly herbs like alliums and chervil.
Plant strong-smelling alliums — such as garlic, chives, ramps, and shallots — alongside raspberries. Their aroma will discourage Japanese beetles from feeding on the fruits.
Additionally, the alliums will provide a fertile and healthy environment for your raspberries to thrive. Alliums also deter other scent-sensitive pests, like rabbits and deer.
Similarly, chervil is an herb with a scent that carries notes of anise, another strong odor that Japanese beetles and many other raspberry-loving pests take pains to avoid.
With an abundance of nectar, chervil also attracts pollinators that further pollinate and propagate raspberries, ensuring a fuller crop that's less prone to pests and diseases.