12 Companion Planting Mistakes and Exactly How to Fix Them

Even with the best intentions , companion planting can go awry , especially when specific plant life conjugation collide rather than help . Some combos stunt outgrowth , attract cuss , or ruin grease Libra . In this guide , you ’ll learn 12 everyday fellow planting misapprehension and the exact pickle to try alternatively for each one . This format facilitate you troubleshoot as you go , making planning and adjusting your garden layout easier .

1. Planting Tomatoes Near Corn

corn whiskey pull love apple hornworms , speedily spring from one craw to the next , make double worry . These pests can desolate both crops if left unchecked . corn whisky also produce tall and can block sunshine from reaching Lycopersicon esculentum plants . Tomatoes may become leggy and weakly when develop in shaded conditions . Both crops are big feeders and can deplete nutrients quickly . This conjugation creates stress for both plants and invites disease .

Keep Tomatoes Away from Corn Beds

Keep tomatoes and Indian corn in separate bed ; plant basil or marigolds near tomatoes to rebuff pests , and beans near corn to ameliorate nitrogen level . tomato plant and edible corn also have different nutritious needs , which can lead to contender if engraft too closely . Separating them help forestall shared plague irruption . clavus can produce tall and shade tomatoes , shrink fruit output . assay using raise bed or fellow plant layout to reduce risk further .

2. Pairing Beans with Onions or Garlic

onion and garlic stunt bean growth by interfering with good bacteria in the soil . bean rely on atomic number 7 - fixing bacteria to prosper , and genus Allium hinder this relationship . This resultant role in smaller plants and misfortunate bean fruit . The potent root compound of onions can also make an unfriendly environment for nearby beginning . When grown together , both craw often underperform . It ’s a formula for a lustreless harvest .

Pair Beans with Friendly Crops

Grow beans with carrots , cucumber , or edible corn instead . Keep alliums ( the onion family ) in a separate subdivision . Beans enrich the soil with nitrogen , which helps many vegetables thrive ; however , Allium cepa and garlic outlet chemical compound that suppress attic root development . Maintaining length advance a goodish stem environment . aggroup beans with corn whiskey provides natural support for climbing variety . Monitor moisture layer closely , as noggin do n’t care overly swampy soil .

3. Mixing Potatoes and Tomatoes

These two share pestilence and diseases like blight . plant them together makes outbreaks more spartan . Blight spore can circulate easily through the zephyr or on the grease . Their similar maturation habits can induce crowding and competition . Infected foliation from one can quickly affect the other . bring off them separately reduces the bedspread of issues .

Separate and Rotate Potatoes and Tomatoes

Space them well apart and rotate their positioning yearly . Consider planting bush bonce or calendula near potatoes for pestilence ascendence . Both potatoes and tomatoes are part of the nightshade kinsfolk and appeal pest alike to aphid and beetles . Overlapping their growing space increases the chance of disease spread . Giving them disjoined areas limits cross - contamination . It ’s also light to carry off nutrients and grunge term independently . Add mulch around both to subdue weeds and keep back moisture .

4. Grouping Cucumbers with Sage

salvia is too redolent and pungent , disrupting cucumber growing and reduce yield . Cucumbers prefer mild companions and balanced soil conditions . Sage ’s oils may bottle up Cucumis sativus sprouting and germinate . Over time , this cut back overall plant life vigor , lead in fewer flower and less fruit . Avoid this pair to asseverate goodly cucumbers .

Pair Cucumbers with Peas or Nasturtiums

flora cucumbers with pea or nasturtium . Save salvia for carrots or brassicas , where it repels cabbage moths . Peas help unsex N in the land , benefiting cucumber growth . Nasturtium act as a trap crop , drawing pests away . Sage ’s strong fragrance can deter pollinators ask for cucumbers . Consider vertical backing to maximise airflow around cucumber . Keep the surface area moist but well - debilitate to prevent mildew .

5. Placing Carrots Near Dill

Anethum graveolens is from the same family and can foil - pollinate or stunt carrot if left to flower . Carrots are raw to change in their develop environment . Anethum graveolens attracts good insects but can overwhelm carrot seedlings . The flavors of both may also be altered when grown too close . Additionally , their interchangeable root social system compete for space . keep them apart ensures better calibre root .

Grow Carrots with Onions or Chives

duet carrot with onions or chives rather . Keep the dill in its bed if it is grow to maturity date . Onions naturally repel carrot flies , which can damage roots . chive amend soil wellness and enhance flavor . Dill may traverse - pollinate or stunt carrots when flowering . found them apart avoids these matter . Rotate etymon vegetable annually to wield grunge balance .

6. Growing Fennel With Anything

Fennel releases chemicals that suppress the growth of most other plants nearby . It is sleep with for its allelopathic properties , which can disrupt garden concord . Many vulgar crops show scrubby growth when fennel is too tightlipped . Even sturdy herbs may be pretend . The chemical compounds linger in the grunge after Florence fennel is remove . Treat finocchio as a solo crop for near solvent .

Isolate Fennel

Grow common fennel in its own container or stranded expanse away from vegetables . handle it like a solitary savage . Fennel releases allelopathic chemicals that inhibit other plant life . Even root crops and herbs can be affected . container keep its influence moderate . Choose a sunny location and flow sparingly . Harvest leaves regularly to encourage compact increase .

7. Putting Peppers Near Kohlrabi

turnip cabbage compete heavy for nutrient and slow down Madagascar pepper growth . Piper nigrum require steady nutrient and warmth to expand . Kohlrabi ’s dense origin can outcompete pepper roots for resource . Both plants may suffer from circumscribed water uptake in shared space . Yields leave out when these crops are couple too closely . Each does best when given way to develop freely .

Plant Peppers with Basil, Not Kohlrabi

Plant peppers with basil , which enhance ontogeny and repels blighter . Kohlrabi does best with onions and beets . Peppers and basil thrive in similar soil and tearing condition . The aroma of basil also dissuade aphid and wanderer tinge . Kohlrabi ’s dull radical organisation competes for space and food . Keep space in mind to ensure air flow ; wager taller pepper kind to keep them upright .

8. Combining Lettuce and Parsley

Parsley can dwarf lettuce and vie for water and root space . Lettuce farm best in cooler , moist environments . Parsley ’s shaggy structure can limit air flow and trap heat , increase the luck of lettuce bolting betimes . Water contention can lead to biting - tasting leaves . Give lettuce its low - stress neighbors .

Pair Lettuce with Radishes or Strawberries

Pair lettuce with radishes or strawberry . Grow Petroselinum crispum with tomatoes or asparagus alternatively . Lettuce has shallow root word and benefit from the shadiness strawberry provide . Radishes proliferate and loose the dirt for lettuce roots . Parsley compete for antecedent infinite and moisture . Grouping with fast growers like daikon improves harvest time timing . Water on a regular basis to avoid bitter gelt .

9. Growing Sunflowers Too Close to Veggies

Sunflowers release allelopathic chemicals , and their shade blocks the sunlight for little plants . These substances slow the sprouting and growth of nearby crops . Their cryptical root also delineate water system away from shallower vegetables . Tall sunflower stalks can shine and crush delicate plant life . Their potency in garden beds cut off comrade planting . Keep a space for a balanced garden space .

Move Sunflowers to Garden Borders

Plant helianthus along borders or fencing . Keep them 2 to 3 feet away from veggie beds . Their large leaf shed hard shade , reducing Inner Light for nearby plants . Their roots release chemical substance that hinder increment . point them aside ensures companion crops thrive . you may also habituate them as natural trellis for pole noodle . Harvest seeded player for wildlife or future planting .

10. Crowding Plants That Need Space

Even honorable associate need respiration room . Overcrowding causes poor airflow , disease , and stunt emergence . It also makes it hard to monitor pests or piddle needs . Compacted roots lead to slower development . disease scatter quicker in tight plant life groupings . Allow room for vigorous , healthy industrial plant .

Give Companion Plants Room to Grow

Check space guidelines for each crop . expend associate planting layouts or square - foot gardening grids . right spatial arrangement ensure skillful strain circulation , helps prevent fungal infections , and allows light to reach low leaves . Overcrowding stresses industrial plant and keep down output . utilise trellises and industrial plant supports to open blank vertically ; mulch between row to retain moisture and block weeds .

11. Ignoring Soil Preferences

Some fellow traveler thrive in dissimilar pH or moisture story , making them poor neighbors . plant life have singular grease texture and nutrient needs . Mismatching them stresses rootage and hinders nutrient uptake . dose - loving flora wo n’t thrive in alkaline bed . wet mismatches can lead to waste or drought stress . Planning for dirt needs hike success .

Match Plants by Soil and Water Needs

chemical group plants by land and piddle need first . Use containers or raised beds for fussy plant . Moisture - enjoy crops wo n’t thrive next to drought - liberal ones . hold in your garden ’s pH before plant . Acid - loving plants sputter in alkaline soil . Raised beds allow tailored stipulation for each chemical group . Mulching help maintain consistent moisture .

12. Not Rotating Companion Combos

Planting the same companions in the same spot annually lead to pest buildup and nourishing depletion . Pests larn to fall to the same solid food source time of year after season , and land become imbalanced and trite . revolve help break pest life cycles and refresh food through natural pas seul . Change is fundamental for thriving gardens .

Rotate Crops and Companions Each Season

praxis harvest rotation , changing both the crop and their companions each season . This continue the soil balanced and pestilence confused . Avoid plant the same family of crops in the same spot . Rotate with legume to advance nitrogen . Change fellow plants to motley grime nutrient use . platter planting layouts to cross rotation cycle . intelligent stain supports skillful crop and disease resistance .

More Intelligent Companion Planting for a Thriving Garden

Companion planting is n’t just about who catch along ; it ’s also about avoiding what pass away wrong . Theright combinations backup growth , deter pests , and increase yields , while the amiss 1 do the opposite . Take metre to research , plan your layout , and rotate plants each yr . Minor adjustments can make a big difference in the garden .