Should you plant tomatoes and cucumbers next to each other?

Author: Ms. Alanis Pacocha DVM  |  Last update: Saturday, August 9, 2025

However, because they are both heavy feeders, require a lot of moisture and light, and need adequate space around them to promote healthy air circulation, they may compete. In light of this, if you want to grow cucumbers and tomatoes together, it is best to plant them 45 – 60 cm apart and in separate soil if possible.

What should you not plant next to cucumbers?

Aromatic Herbs: Herbs like sage and rosemary, while useful in cooking, can inhibit the growth of cucumbers. They contain natural oils that can slow down the growth of cucumber plants. Brassicas: Plants like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can compete with cucumbers for the same nutrients in the soil.

How close can you plant tomatoes and cucumbers?

When planting tomatoes and cucumbers in the same garden bed, aim for at least 24 to 36 inches between the two types of plants. This spacing helps to reduce the risk of disease and allows for better air circulation.

What shouldn't you plant next to tomatoes?

1. Brassicas. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi can stunt the growth of your tomato plant because they out-compete them for the same nutrients. These vegetables are in the brassica family.

Can you put tomato cages around cucumber plants?

There are other vegetables in the garden that can benefit from flimsier support and grow on cages. Any type of shorter plant that likes to vine or that has tendrils will love to climb up those tomato cages. You can use tomato cages for cucumbers, pole beans, peas, or sweet potato vines.

5 companion plants for tomatoes

Are coffee grounds good for tomato and cucumber plants?

Frequently Asked Questions. Can I use coffee grounds directly on tomato plants? Yes, however this practice is not recommended. Composting is a far superior way to use coffee grounds in the garden.

Do bell peppers need a tomato cage?

Pepper varieties that produce large-fruited bells or big elongated peppers tend to be branching plants that grow well in tomato cages. While short two- and three-ring cages are too small for all but the most dwarf tomatoes, they are ideal for peppers.

Can peppers and tomatoes be planted together?

The fact of the matter is that YES the plants are related and YES they share some common diseases but most people do not have the space in their garden to separate them. The reality is that because the two have similar growth requirements, they can in fact be grown quite successfully together.

What do you plant with tomatoes to keep the bugs away?

Top 10 Companion Plants for Tomatoes
  1. Marigolds. The bright colors and strong scent of marigolds make them an excellent deterrent against insects like tomato hornworms and aphids. ...
  2. Garlic. ...
  3. Onions. ...
  4. Lavender. ...
  5. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) ...
  6. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) ...
  7. Asparagus. ...
  8. Celery.

What not to do when planting tomatoes?

9 Common Tomato Growing Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Harvest
  1. Mistake 1: Planting tomatoes too early or too late.
  2. Mistake 2: Starting with poor seedlings.
  3. Mistake 3: Shallow planting.
  4. Mistake 4: Inconsistent watering.
  5. Mistake 5: Overhead watering.
  6. Mistake 6: Not staking tomatoes.

What happens when you plant tomatoes and cucumbers together?

Planting cucumbers and tomatoes right next to each other is often not recommended. These two plants often have similar requirements for nutrients, water and light, which can lead to competition. Both plants are heavy feeders and require a lot of nitrogen for healthy growth.

What should not be mixed with cucumber?

Cucumber is a kind of cold-natured food, while peanut contains a lot of oil and fat. If cucumber and peanut interact with each other, it is easy to cause diarrhea.

What should you not plant peppers next to?

Brassicas: Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are not good companion plants for peppers as they require similar nutrients from the soil, which can lead to competition and reduced yield.

Can peppers and cucumbers be planted together?

Vining vegetables like cucumbers actually make perfect companions to bushing veggies like peppers. They enjoy similar growing conditions and can grow together in about the same amount of space as a single plant. Ensure you trellis your cukes and plant your peppers in front so they aren't shaded by growing vines.

Do cucumbers need a trellis?

Do cucumbers always need a trellis? Firstly, there are two types of cucumber plants - vining cucumbers and bush cucumbers. While neither requires truly requires a trellis to be fruitful, the use of trellising makes harvesting more manageable for vining cucumbers and keeps the plant growing in a specific direction.

What plants keep tomato worms away?

“Other popular companion plants that effectively deter tomato hornworms include marigolds, dill, borage, parsley, and thyme,” he says.

What are good companion plants for cucumbers?

Good cucumber companion plants
  • Borage (Borago officinalis)
  • Dill (Anethum graveolens)
  • Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
  • Dwarf beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
  • Peas (Pisum sativum)
  • Sweetcorn (Zea mays)
  • Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
  • Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)

What's best to plant next to tomatoes?

What are some other good companion plants for tomatoes?
  • Borage.
  • Calendula. A great plant for attracting beneficial insects—which can help reduce pests and increase pollination.
  • Chives.
  • Lemon balm. ...
  • Mint. ...
  • Nasturtium.
  • Sage, oregano, parsley, and thyme.

What is the best companion plant for zucchini?

What Goes Well With Zucchini?
  • root and tuber vegetables such as beet, carrots and celery.
  • onions, leeks and spring onions.
  • lettuce.
  • corn.
  • flowers such as camomile, sunflowers, borage and marigolds.
  • beans.
  • tomatoes, eggplants and peppers.
  • herbs such as basil, parsley and oregano.

How far apart should I plant tomatoes?

In Ground: If you're planting directly in the ground, you may have more space and be planting in rows. In that case, space your tomatoes 18-24 inches apart along a row, but space your rows about 36 inches apart. This will leave enough room for you to work between rows.

What is the best plant food for tomatoes and peppers?

Compost Tea: One of the best fertilizers composed from leaves or stems for tomatoes (and any other plant) is compost tea that is made by pouring water over compost allowing beneficial microbes to leach into the mixture therefore making it usable as a foliar spray or drench for immediate nutrient supply in tomatoes.

Do bell peppers grow better in pots or ground?

Not only are there a host of varieties, but they will also make spectacular houseplants come fall, as they will continue to produce in the house! If you are already thinking of extending the harvest into the cold season by growing them indoors, the ideal is to grow them in a pot.

Do I need a tomato cage for cherry tomatoes?

For indeterminate tomato plants, like these cherry varieties, you'll need a big cage to get good results. All of this organized spacing and support is great in a perfect world, but if you are cramped for space, you still have options.

Do bell peppers need a trellis to grow?

Bell peppers sometimes grow too tall to hold themselves up. To prevent your plants falling over during a storm or heavy winds, grow your peppers near an obelisk trellis or use garden stakes and twine to hold your plants upright. The last thing you want is for a branch to break and put a halt to your pepper production.

Previous article
Why is my money tree peeling?
Next article
What does not cook well in an air fryer?