Companion Planting: Avoid These Plants When Growing Cucumbers

Oleh Anonymous January 03, 2021 Post a Comment

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Cucumbers are a popular vegetable for gardeners due to their versatility in salads and sandwiches, and they are also great for pickling. However, not all plants are good companions for cucumbers. Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together that provide benefits to one another. This can include improving soil fertility, pest control, and disease prevention. In this article, we will discuss the bad companion plants for cucumbers.

Bad Companion Plants for Cucumbers

Mint

Mint is a plant that should be avoided when growing cucumbers. Mint has a strong scent that can repel beneficial insects such as bees and hoverflies. These insects are important pollinators for cucumbers, and without them, your crop may not produce as well. Mint is also known to compete for nutrients with other plants, which can stunt the growth of your cucumbers.

Potatoes

Potatoes are another plant that should not be grown near cucumbers. Potatoes are part of the nightshade family, which means they can carry diseases that are harmful to cucumbers. One common disease is late blight, which causes black spots on the leaves and stems of cucumber plants. It can spread quickly and kill off your entire crop. Additionally, potatoes and cucumbers both require a lot of nutrients from the soil, so growing them together can lead to competition and reduced yields.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes and cucumbers are often grown together, but they are actually bad companions. Tomatoes and cucumbers are both susceptible to diseases such as blight and mosaic virus, which can spread quickly between the two plants. Additionally, tomatoes and cucumbers have different nutrient requirements, which can lead to competition for resources in the soil.

Onions

Onions are another plant that should not be grown near cucumbers. Onions release a chemical called thiosulfate, which can stunt the growth of cucumber plants. Additionally, onions are known to attract onion maggots, which can also attack cucumber plants.

How to Improve Cucumber Growth

Good Companion Plants for Cucumbers

While certain plants can harm your cucumber crop, there are also plants that can benefit your cucumbers. Good companion plants for cucumbers include:

Beans
Corn
Peas
Radishes
Lettuce

These plants can help improve soil fertility, provide shade for the cucumbers, and attract beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs.

Proper Spacing

Another way to improve cucumber growth is to properly space your plants. Cucumbers require plenty of light and air circulation to grow properly. If your plants are too crowded, they can become stressed and more susceptible to disease. Make sure to plant your cucumbers at least 12 inches apart and provide them with support such as trellises or stakes.

In it's important to choose the right companion plants when growing cucumbers. Avoid planting mint, potatoes, tomatoes, and onions near your cucumbers. Instead, consider planting beans, corn, peas, radishes, and lettuce. Proper spacing and support can also help improve cucumber growth.

FAQs

1. Can I plant cucumbers with other vegetables?

Yes, you can plant cucumbers with other vegetables as long as they are good companions. Some examples include beans, corn, peas, radishes, and lettuce.

2. How far apart should I space my cucumber plants?

Cucumber plants should be spaced at least 12 inches apart to provide adequate light and air circulation.

3. Can I grow cucumbers in a container?

Yes, cucumbers can be grown in containers as long as the container is large enough to accommodate the plant's root system. A 5-gallon container is a good size for one cucumber plant.

4. How often should I water my cucumber plants?

Cucumber plants should be watered regularly, especially during hot and dry weather. Aim to water your plants once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions.

5. What should I do if my cucumber plants get a disease?

If your cucumber plants get a disease, it's important to identify the disease and take appropriate action. This may include removing infected plants, treating them with fungicides, or practicing crop rotation to prevent future outbreaks.