Plants That Don't Grow Well Together: A Guide to Companion Planting

Oleh Anonymous December 29, 2023 Post a Comment

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Companion Planting

If you're new to gardening or looking to improve your crop yield, you may have heard of companion planting. Companion planting is the practice of planting different crops in close proximity to one another to benefit each other in some way. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as improving soil health, controlling pests, and increasing productivity.

However, not all plants make good companions. Some plants actually inhibit each other's growth and development. In this article, we'll explore some of the plants that don't grow well together and why.

Plants That Don't Grow Well Together

Tomatoes and Potatoes

Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the same family, Solanaceae. While they may look different on the surface, they share many traits, including susceptibility to the same diseases and pests. Planting them together can lead to the spread of diseases like blight, which can quickly decimate entire crops.

Cucumbers and Sunflowers

Cucumbers and sunflowers don't make good companions because they both require a lot of nutrients from the soil. When planted together, they will compete for these nutrients, leading to stunted growth and poor yields.

Beans and Onions

Beans and onions are also poor companions because beans are nitrogen-fixing plants. They take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that plants can use. Onions, on the other hand, prefer low-nitrogen soil. Planting them together can lead to an imbalance of nitrogen, resulting in poor growth and yields.

Carrots and Dill

While dill is often planted near carrots to help deter pests like carrot flies, it can actually have the opposite effect. Dill attracts the same pests that it's supposed to repel, leading to more damage to your carrot crop.

Broccoli and Tomatoes

Broccoli and tomatoes are both heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients from the soil. Planting them together can lead to nutrient depletion and poor growth. Additionally, they're both susceptible to diseases like powdery mildew, which can quickly spread between the two crops.

Why Companion Planting Matters

Companion planting isn't just about avoiding bad plant combinations. It's also about creating beneficial relationships between plants. For example, planting basil near tomatoes can help repel pests like tomato hornworms. Nasturtiums can be planted near squash to help deter squash bugs.

In addition to pest control, companion planting can also improve soil health. Some plants, like legumes, are nitrogen-fixers, meaning they take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that plants can use. Other plants, like marigolds, can help suppress weeds and nematodes in the soil.

How to Plan Your Garden

When planning your garden, it's important to consider not only what plants you want to grow, but also how they will interact with each other. You can use a companion planting chart to help guide your decisions.

Here are some general guidelines to follow:

Group plants with similar needs together (e.g., plants that require full sun).
Rotate crops to avoid depleting nutrients from the soil.
Avoid planting members of the same family together (e.g., tomatoes and peppers).
Plant herbs and flowers throughout your garden to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is companion planting?

Companion planting is the practice of planting different crops in close proximity to one another to benefit each other in some way, such as improving soil health or controlling pests.

2. Why do some plants not grow well together?

Some plants don't grow well together because they compete for nutrients, are susceptible to the same diseases and pests, or have other negative interactions.

3. What are some good plant combinations?

Some good plant combinations include tomatoes and basil, beans and corn, and cucumbers and radishes.

4. How can I plan my garden for companion planting?

You can use a companion planting chart to help guide your decisions. Group plants with similar needs together, rotate crops, avoid planting members of the same family together, and plant herbs and flowers throughout your garden.

5. What are some benefits of companion planting?

Companion planting can improve soil health, control pests, increase productivity, and create beautiful gardens that attract pollinators and beneficial insects.