Home»Companion Planting
Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus ) is a well - known summer crop produce for its tasty fruit . You may meliorate its growth by planting it alongside other worthy familiar plant . Companion planting protects cucumber from pests and diseases and fixes nitrogen in the filth .
Pair cucumber with dill weed , marigolds , peas , sunflower , beets , bean , celery , corn scratch , borage , Raphanus sativus longipinnatus , and nasturtiums . Radishes and lettuce can assist in keep illness and pesterer at bay . Marigolds , nasturtiums , and Borago officinalis are lifelike insect repellents that help institute pollinator to the garden .
Here are considerations that I think are significant for any gardener :
10 Best companion plants for cucumber
Here are the good companion plant life for cucumbers :
1. Beans
attic are fantabulous companion flora for cucumbers due to their power to fix nitrogen in the dirt . With adequate nitrogen in the territory , cuke will arise rapidly , producing strong stems and an teemingness of leaves , heyday , and fruit .
Plant both cuke and beans in a well - lit place in the garden . It is recommend to plant the bean seeds at the base of the cucumbers to plunk for climbing cucumbers , avoiding the need for extra treillage or support structures .
Pro tip : Sow the bean sow 2 - 3 inch out from the base of a cucumber when they are atleast 2 inches magniloquent . Then water them on a regular basis at their bases to avoid fungous infection .
2. Celery
Celery is a great associate flora for cuke in the garden due to its atomic number 7 - fix , pest control condition , and soil aeration ability .
The plant has deep roots that aerate and improve the structure of the dirt , which can help cuke plants grow . It is also know to discourage pests such as aphids , which can damage Cucumis sativus plant .
you should constitute them at least 18 - 24 inches apart since cultivated celery plants can grow up to 2 feet tall and wide .
Keep both plants systematically moist , but avoid over - watering , which can do antecedent rotting . Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer on a regular basis , and mulch the stain to preserve moisture and ascendency mourning band .
3. Dill
As a companion works , dill(Anethum graveolens)provides several advantages to cucumber and other garden plant . The plant can rebuff harmful worm while attract beneficial insects , such as pollinator and leechlike wasps , which eat away pests like aphids and cucumber vine beetle .
Anethum graveolens and cucumber are compatible in terms of their nourishing requirements . Cucumber is a great feeder that requires a lot of nitrogen , while dill is a nitrogen methadon that serve tot up nitrogen back into the soil .
By imbed dill alongside Cucumis sativus , you’re able to help meliorate soil fertility and bring home the bacon a intimately - growing surroundings for both plants .
4. Marigolds
Marigold is well - known in familiar implant for its ability to repel various pest , including root - Calidris canutus roundworm and thripid that attack cucumber vine . The plant also has a strong olfactory property that shields cucumber ’s perfume , protecting it from pest .
what is more , the mystifying roots of marigolds improve soil social structure and increase moisture availability in the grime .
Plant marigolds and cucumbers 10 - 20 inch apart and water them on a regular basis . Then apply a balanced fertilizer every month to nourish the plants .
5.Radishes
Planting radishes and cuke is a great way to maintain space in your garden . It is a fast - growing vegetable that wo n’t contend with cucumber vine for space and nutrients in the garden .
The radish plant also help to get rid of squash vine bugs . An experiment by the University of Nebraska proved thatradishes reduced the population of squash rackets microbe by 75%in a garden .
Plant the radishes 6 - 8 inch aside from the cucumbers , then reap them after one calendar month to allow the cucumber to go on thriving .
6. Sunflowers
Sunflowers make first-class cucumber comrade plants for a variety of reasons . Firstly , sunflowers have mysterious roots that help oneself to aerate the soil , resulting in well - growing conditions for cucumbers .
secondly , helianthus have been turn up to attract pollinator , which can assist in cucumber vine pollination . Third , sunflower can absorb supernumerary water , which can help in preventing waterlogging around cucumber root , which is an ideal growing condition .
at long last , ground on expert at Science Alert , helianthus produce allelopathic compoundsthat inhibit the increment of sure weed that compete with cucumber for easy , water , and nutrients .
When companion planting , leave 18 - 24 column inch between sunflowers and cucumber . This spacing provides enough space for both plants to originate and reach their full potential .
7. Beets
Beets are another stem veggie that you could plant alongside cucumber vine . Beets have shallow root that do not contend with the deep root of cucumber plant for water and nutrients , allowing the Cucumis sativus to grow more quick .
Cucumis sativus and beets both opt well - draining dirt with consistent moisture .
While companion planting , flora beetroot around the garden ’s edge or between the cucumber ’s row . Allow a spacing of about 5 - 10 inch between each plant life .
8. Corn
edible corn , like sunflower , has comparatively strong just stalks that can act as a treillage for cucumber in the garden . Corn ’s mysterious roots may assist in aerate the soil and volunteer access to nutrients , whereas cucumber ’s shallow roots allow it to absorb dirt wet more efficiently .
moreover , the huge leaves of corn whisky can give shade and foreclose soil desiccation , which can help oneself the cucumber plant . edible corn also attract good insects such as ladybugs , which can help operate louse pests that could harm cucumber plants .
Ensure you provide ample spacing when embed the two to prevent competition of nutrients . Ideally , space them 2 ft apart .
9. Lettuce
Lettuce is used as a companion plant for cucumber since the two plants have similar growth pattern and requirements . Lettuce favour colder temperatures and shade , which cucumber can give with its large leaves .
In addition , gelt acts as a natural mulch , conserve moisture in the land and preventing weed increase .
Lettuce also attracts beneficial dirt ball to the garden , which can facilitate control pests that may harm cucumber plants .
For the best results , space the scratch and cuke plants or so 12 to 15 column inch apart and water on a regular basis to control both plants get adequate moisture .
10. Nasturtiums
Nasturtium is a great companion plant for cucumbers because they have a strong aroma that functions as a natural repellant for plague like aphid and whiteflies .
Furthermore , the ambrosia - plenteous flowers of Nasturtiums attract good insect such as ladybugs , and parasitic wasps , which can facilitate in pest universe control .
Nasturtiums also have a shallow root structure , allowing them to live with Cucumis sativus plants without compete for soil food and moisture . They grow by crawling along the primer hence being th utter ground cover for your garden .
nasturtium and cuke should be plant at least 12 - 18 inches aside and water periodically to achieve maximal growth .
Plants not to pair with cucumber
Although some plant complement cucumber , others should be separate from them . It may be due to contention for nutrients and water , touch cucumber flavor , draw exchangeable pests , or even inhibit Cucumis sativus ontogenesis .
Among the works that should not be combined with cucumber include :
Conclusion
Companion planting with cucumbers requires a mindful feeler . By pair cucumbers with the correct companion plant , such as dill , marigold , sunflower , and beets , you’re able to enjoy numerous benefits , let in improve soil fertility rate , plague control , and increase growth . However , avoid pairing cucumbers with plants like potatoes and sage since they may negatively involve cucumbers ’ emergence and health .
