7+ Plants You Should NEVER Grow Next To Each Other
The artwork referred to as gardening, has its own special set of criteria and factors that it depends on, in order to create its masterpieces. Nowadays, there’s nothing better and more rewarding than creating your very own masterpiece and growing your very own produce. This way, we can ensure that the food we put on the table is clean, healthy and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals and substances. Most new gardeners start off by growing their own herbs – basil, dill, parsley and so on. This can be done both on the balcony or in a little part of the garden. But if you feel like you want to take on the big dogs this year and start growing your own produce, there are some tips and tricks you’ll want to know beforehand, like which plants are incompatible. So, let’s see what plants you should never grow next to each other.
Having your own garden is a treasure
Plants You Should Never Grow Next To Each Other
Just like humans, some plants are also just incompatible together. After all, all the plants within a garden are like a community. Some need their space, some don’t mind being clumped up with their neighbors. By creating a peaceful community, you will ensure that everyone is happy, and they’ll grow big, storing and give a bountiful harvest. Also keep an eye out for any unwanted guests, such as pests, that may bring havoc into your picturesque garden community. So, let’s take a look at which plants don’t get along and that you should never grow next to each other.
Make sure you water the garden regularly
Corn and Tomatoes
While these two make a great match in certain dishes, when it comes to growing next to one another, they make a terrible combo. Unlike other incompatible plants, corn, and tomatoes don’t do any harm to another directly. Rather the problem here is that they both are prone to pests such as fungal blights and worms. If one of them gets these pests, the other will as well. Making an infestation in minutes. Plant tomatoes next to basil, while corn goes well with pumpkins and beans.
Corn does well next to pumpkins
Tomatoes and basil are friends in the kitchen and in the garden
Zucchini and Potatoes
Both potatoes and zucchinis are loved for their fast-growing rate. However, when planted together, this is what causes their downfall. Potatoes especially are very aggressive feeders. They have no shame in stealing precious nutrients from the soil without sharing any. This leaves the poor zucchini to struggle to get barely anything to eat. So, while you’ll have plenty of potatoes, you won’t be enjoying any zucchini if you plant these two together. Grow your zucchinis next to corn or melons. While potatoes should go next to basil or horseradish.
Zucchini don’t grow well next to potatoes
Grow potato and horseradish together
Garlic and Peas
These two do more harm to one another than good. While garlic does great with many plants as pest control, with peas that isn’t the case. The strong sulfur compounds found in garlic will stop the delicate peas from growing into their full form. So, make sure these to stay away from each other. Rather, try to plant your peas next to cucumbers or beans. Whereas the garlic goes great with eggplants and tomatoes.
Garlic is a natural pest control plant
Peas are too delicate for garlic’s sulfur
Summer Squash and Pumpkins
Pumpkins are aggressive growers. Both plants have long vines and will battle each other for any available space. Pumpkins especially can easily choke out any summer squash to take it’s space and water. Not only that, but pumpkins can cross-pollinate with other types of squash, and it will affect your harvest. So, make sure to plant these plants away from one another. Try growing your pumpkins next to corn or melons, whereas your summer squash next to herbs or beans.
Pumpkins will choke out your squash
Grow pumpkins next to corn
Rosemary and Cucumbers
Cucumbers are somewhat of a blank canvas. By this we mean that they are made primarily up of water, which doesn’t really have a strong taste. So, planting them next to strong, aromatic herbs such rosemary, sage, and basil will make them take on the taste. While this isn’t the worst thing in the world, we prefer our cucumbers with a neutral flavor.
Rosemary has a strong smell
Cucumbers are made up primarily out of water
Plants You Should Grow Next To Each Other
Just like humans, plants require friends. Companion plants are plants that are grown next to each other with the point of being beneficial to one another. For example, planting garlic around potatoes can help keep pests away. Check out this useful video guide on what plants you can grow next to each other.
Even plants need friends!
These were some plants that you should never grow next to each other. After all, you’re trying to create a harmonic, garden community. Nobody wants neighbor squabbles, even when it comes to plants. So, it’s important to make sure you know which plants are friends and which don’t really like each other all that much. We hope you found this article helpful, and we wish you a bountiful harvest!
Create your own harmonic, garden community
