*Tomatoes Hate Cucumbers: Secrets of Companion Planting + Popular Planting Combinations*

Although they go great together in various salads, tomato plants actually hate growing close to members of the cucurbit family, including cucumbers. On the other hand, tomatoes love basil and carrots, meaning that planting them together actually makes them grow fiercely.

As for the cucumbers, they are annual plants which thrive in zones 4 and warmer climates. Being a full-sun plant, the humble cucumber requires slightly acidic soil and well-drained soil in addition to regular water and nutrients. When adding cucumbers to your garden, it is very important to consider companion planting.  There are plants that have a negative influence on cucumber growth and taste, so they shouldn’t be planted in the same bed near them.

Companion planting is a practice of organizing your garden in a way to support beneficial plant relationships. As discussed earlier, when planted in the same beds, some plants have working relationships. On the other hand, some plants have antagonistic relationships, so they shouldn’t be planted near one another. Companion plants improve each other`s flavor, improve health, encourage growth, repel pests, and attract beneficial insects. Antagonistic ones do the opposite. However, this doesn’t mean that avoiding antagonistic plants and choosing companion ones is the exact science, as many environmental factors, soil conditions, and climate play an important role.

It is a good idea to interplant flowers with your veggies, especially nasturtiums and marigolds. These flowers attract and feed beneficial insects, which in turn helps increase the fruit-set of cucumbers, tomatoes, pears, squashes, and other veggies. Nasturtiums are edible flowers which go great in salads. They are very nutritious as well and their root used to be a staple crop in many American regions.

Ultimately, note that peppers and beans don’t share root space well, nor do tomatoes and potatoes, which are both members of the nightshade family. Lettuces don’t like being next to broccoli, and peas prefer being away from onions.

Here is a list of plants that grow well together as garden friends. Check them out!

BEANS

Friend                                                   Foe

Beets                                              Garlic
Broccoli                                         Peppers
Cabbage                                        Onions
Carrots                                          Sunflowers
Corn
Tomatoes
Celery
Peas
Strawberries
Squash
Eggplant
Radishes
Cauliflower
CORN

Friend                                                 Foe

Lettuce                                         Tomatoes
Melons
Sunflowers
Cucumbers
Beans
Squash
Peas
ONIONS

Friend                                                  Foe

Tomatoes                                       Sage
Spinach                                          Peas
Cabbage                                         Beans
Lettuce
Potatoes
Beets
Carrots
Broccoli
CUCUMBERS

Friend                                                  Foe

Sunflowers                                     Melons
Radishes                                         Potatoes
Corn                                                Aromatic herbs
Lettuce
Beans
Cabbage
Cauliflower
PEPPERS

Friend                                                Foe

Coriander                                      Beans
Onions                                           Kohlrabi
Basil
Spinach
Tomatoes
CABBAGE

Friend                                                Foe

Thyme                                           Broccoli
Dill                                                 Tomatoes
Kale                                               Strawberries
Beans                                            Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumbers
Spinach
Potatoes
Lettuce
Onions
LETTUCE

Friend                                                    Foe

Tomatoes                                         Broccoli
Asparagus
Radishes
Spinach
Sunflowers
Onions
Eggplant
Cucumbers
Corn
Brussels sprouts
Beets
Strawberries
TOMATOES

Friend                                                 Foe

Borage                                        Broccoli
Basil                                            Kale
Asparagus                                  Corn
Onions                                        Brussels sprouts
Melons                                        Cabbage
Dill                                               Cauliflower
Carrots
Celery
Lettuce
CARROTS

Friend                                                    Foe

Peas                                                    Dill
Onions                                               Parsley
Sage                                                    Anise
Beans
Lettuce
Rosemary
Radishes

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