Practicing companion planting with zucchini can help it grow amazingly well and it is often wondered if cucumbers can be planted alongside it. Cucumber preferred method of planting is a direct seedling and it prefers rich fertile soil and planting it with other plants might offer it protection from pests while also amplifying the delicious flavor of a vegetable or fruit and keeping weeds at bay.
Companion planting is the art of planting special species next to each other in an effort to enhance their growth and if you are wondering about companion planting or what goes well with zucchini
Zucchini requires lots of space to grow which makes it essential to find companions with the opposite trait.
A garden of fresh cucumber is a well come addition to a summer salad and an abundance of zucchini may be a curse that befalls many farmers while the opposite is the case for cucumbers. Cucumber can be prone to mildew and bacteria hence planting them as beneficial companions can help attract beneficial bugs and keep the nasty insects away.
When choosing companions, you need to select plants with different growing habits to avoid them competing against each other for sun and nutrients. Read on to discover if zucchini and cucumber can be planted together.
Table of Contents
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a gardening strategy that involves the planting of different crops in proximity which maximizes growth.
Planting companion veggies together helps increase the overall density of what you can grow in a small plot and you get to yield a more productive crop. A companion plant may be able to protect its partner from pests that are commonly attracted to it and gardeners will tell you proper companion planting can lead to better-tasting crops.
It takes more than good soil, sun, and nutrients to ensure successful gardening, the right companion planting can ensure you have a successful harvest as it is discovered that some certain plants when grown together improve each other’s health and yields.
Can you plant zucchini and cucumbers together?
Yes, zucchini and cucumbers can definitely be planted together as they are quite opposite in their planting requirement however before tossing a handful of cucumbers and zucchini together, you need to create optimum growing conditions for each. Zucchini likes full sun but it is best to wait until the soil is at least 75 Fahrenheit otherwise seed may not sprout while cucumbers thrive in well-drained soil plus they need full sun and plenty of space to grow.
Cucumbers can go into the soil in early spring once the threat of frost has passed and once your cucumbers and zucchini and nestling, it is advisable to other beneficial companion plants to it such as basil which helps repel flies and mosquitoes, and oregano which repels beetles.
Avoid planting sage and potatoes next to your cucumbers and zucchini and rather tuck some radishes among the row as they help keep squash borers away from your zucchinis.
Final Thoughts
Zucchini and cucumber belong to the same cucurbit family or the squash family hence they can be planted together in your garden however they can not cross-pollinate because they are two different species and planting them next to each other in the same garden will not decrease fruit quality, instead, the soil quality and the quality of care will determine the fruits.
It is essential to consider if some vegetables will make good neighbors when planning your garden layout and take care when planting different varieties together. While some plants may grow well when planted in the spring, others may thrive when planted in the fall.
Read next: The Best Companion Plants For Tomatoes