7 Plants Not to Plant Next to Cucumbers and 5 Best Companions

Here are the plants that harm cucumbers – the top 7 included…

Pumpkins aren’t the best companions for cucumbers in the garden: As gardener Beth Bolles explains, the plants can, in tandem, attract pests that are dangerous to both. “Pumpkins and cucumbers are in the same family, so they have common enemies—like the ash tree. The same insects eat them—you don’t want to make your garden bed twice as interesting for them,” Beth says.

“Herbs in general are dangerous plants for cucumbers: their smell can alter the fresh and neutral taste of the cucumber. Sage is also not suitable because it competes for water resources with cucumbers – the latter could deteriorate because of this,” explains Matthew Wilson, gardening expert and landscaper.

Melons and watermelons are part of the Cucurbitaceae family and are therefore dangerous plants for cucumbers, which are also part of the Cucurbitaceae family. “Mixed growing can bring more pests and diseases into the garden, which will reduce the yield and quality of fruit of all crops. Infections can spread from one plant to another, so keep them away from each other,” Wilson recommends.

“Potato bushes are not the best companions for cucumbers. First, both species are susceptible to late blight, a disease that can kill them. Second, they will compete for resources, and the potato, with its well-developed root system, will likely win the battle for water,” Bolles says.

“Sunflowers are definitely not good neighbors for cucumbers, and they are dangerous to other crops because of the compounds they produce that are detrimental to the growth of surrounding plants. Plus, sunflowers shade the soil so tightly that your cucumbers literally won’t get a single ray of sunlight,” Wilson says.

“This is a common mistake gardeners make: people think that planting two plants from the same family next to each other is a great idea because they need the same conditions and care. But zucchini and cucumbers suffer from the same diseases and pests, and therefore interplanting will exacerbate any problems that may arise,” Bolles explains.

Fennel is one of the most “profitable” vegetables – all its parts are edible. Moreover, it is not only tasty, but also healthy: fennel fruits have antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects, they are used to improve digestion and as an expectorant.

But fennel also has a major drawback: it releases substances that inhibit the development of neighboring plants. “Plant fennel next to cucumbers and you will reap a meager harvest of mediocre fruit. In addition, fennel can attract aphids and caterpillars, which are dangerous for cucumbers,” Wilson says.

Improving the growth of cucumbers with companions is a common practice. If you want to resort to it, use it for this…

It is not only nutritionists who sing the praises of beans: gardeners also attach great importance to this crop. As Bolles explains, it is able to enrich the soil with nitrogen – bacteria live on the roots of beans, which consume the substance from the air and transform it into a form accessible to other inhabitants of the beds.

“Because of this, beans are the best plants for cucumbers to grow next door to, as they will provide the cucumbers with abundant nitrogen nutrition they desperately need. Plant legumes around the perimeter of the plot or in a row in the middle for an impressive harvest,” Wilson says.

Experienced gardeners value corn for the mulch that can be made from it. What’s left of the plant after the ears are harvested can not only replace straw or hay: corn is known for its ability to repel pests.

This superpower makes the proximity of garden plants very useful for cucumbers: fewer dangerous insects reach them, and the strong corn stalks can become an excellent support for cucumber lashes. As a result, Bolles says, yields could increase by 10%.

Dill is a well-known herb for enhancing the flavor of jars of pickles. But it turns out that its capabilities are not limited to this – thanks to its smell, it will be an excellent neighbor for them in the garden.

“First, during flowering, dill umbrellas become a magnet for bees that pollinate cucumbers. Second, dill attracts ladybugs, which are natural enemies of aphids,” Wilson says.

The recommendation for planting cucumbers and companions in the case of dill will be simple: you can either scatter the seeds randomly over the area to be protected, or pre-sow a row of dill in the center of the bed.

Cabbage is also one of the best companion plants for cucumbers. This combination will make your life easier: both species prefer the same soil composition and moisture, similar lighting and temperature, and do not compete for nutrients.

The advantage is obvious: it is easier to care for one bed than two. Plus, you can choose any type of cabbage you like: cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, green cabbage, savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts or pak choi.

Onions and garlic are optimal neighbors for cucumbers because of their ability to repel pests. “They are unmatched natural repellents that will drive away aphids, codling moths, spider mites, Colorado potato beetles, weevils, and many other insect pests,” Wilson says.

But there are also disadvantages: these auxiliary plants for cucumbers require an individual approach. “Three to four weeks before harvest, it is better to reduce watering of onions and garlic, while cucumbers prefer well-moistened soil. Therefore, it is better to plant companions so that at some point you can switch to different modes,” Bolles advises.

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