Cucumbers can be problematic especially during colder/wetter climates so if you are looking to plant cucumbers in your garden or you already have your cucumber planted either from seed or transplants and need to keep them healthy, whatever the case may be, companion planting gives you visible reward. Most cucumbers are ready to be harvested in about 50-70 days which makes them popular choices to grow in the garden.
Cucumber plants are very easy to grow which makes them great for novice gardeners and keep in mind that no one becomes a master gardener overnight hence you keep trying and with cucumber, you can see real results in a short amount of time.
Companion planting for cucumbers may just be enough to enable your cucumbers to stay healthy and other times it may not. Never let companion planting be a sole substitute for taking proper care of your garden.
The goal and benefits of companion planting are to form a symbiotic relationship where plants take care of each other, stimulate growth, attract beneficial insects and deter pests. So what do cucumbers like to be plated next to? Read on to discover what plants cucumbers like to be surrounded with to keep them disease-free.
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11 Plants To Grow Near Cucumbers
Cucumbers are prone to attack from cucumber beetles and they can easily suffer from bacterial wilt, powdery mildew or a mosaic virus which all shows how problematic cucumbers can be however companion planting can help overcome some of these challenges. Here are some suggestions of companion plants that will play nice and provide you with a more reliable crop.
1. Beans
Bean is a crop that acts as the magical plant to have alongside your cucumbers, it will help fix nitrogen in the soil thereby enhancing a healthier and tastier cucumber. The best type of brand to have planted with cucumber is bush beans. It is great for increasing vigor in your cucumber.
2. Beets
Beets don’t really provide your cucumbers with any defense but they don’t go around causing any trouble. The placement of beets near cucumber is neutral but won’t compete with each other for space. The relationship between beets and cucumbers is neither harmful nor beneficial but if you are looking for where to plant your beets, go ahead and have them near cucumbers.
3. Nasturtiums
There are really attractive flowers that can be beneficial to your cucumbers. Farmers use this flower to attract aphids away from the crops. Cucumbers and Nasturtiums also have similar low-growing and sprawling habits.
4. Radishes
Radishes are great companions as they help deter cucumber beetles and other pests. Cucumbers with their long growing season requirements are great companion plants to radishes as well. Other amazing plants that help radishes are nasturtium, strong-smelling herbs, and species in the allium family (onions, garlic, and chives).
5. Celery
Celery will play nicely with your cucumbers and also protect them from whiteflies. The scent of celery is a natural repellent for pests that plagues cucumber. The relationship between celery and cucumber is often considered neutrals by farmers however there is no reason not to have them planted together.
6. Corn
Corn provides shades for cucumbers in the dead of summer, the corn stalk can be used as natural trellises for vining cucumber. This is also a great way to maximize garden efficiency and save space. However, if you are planting corn with cucumber then you have to use a cucumber type that stays small.
In return for the support corn provides, cucumber vines will serve as natural mulch underneath your corn stalk while keeping weeds out and retaining moisture.
7. Dill
Dill is a great companion plant to many vegetables and cucumbers as well. It attracts beneficial insects like pollinators and parasitic wasps to your cucumber. It can also help keep the pest level in your garden down due to its aromatic smell. Gardeners also believe it can help improve the taste of cucumbers.
8. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are another great plants that are believed d to help cucumbers grow and improve their flavor. The sturdy stalk of sunflowers also provides supports for the cucumber vines and in turn, the cucumber large leaves shade the soil keeping it moist.
9. Peas
One of the companion plants that are highly beneficial to cucumbers is peas. It provides nitrogen to the soil and it’s a great choice of companion plant for cucumbers. Both thrive in similar growing conditions.
10. Marigolds
Marigolds help to repel all sorts of beetles and insects in the garden. It is a great companion plant for almost all vegetables and herbs.
11. Lettuce
Lettuce is a plant that is very easy to grow and it makes a great companion with cucumber. Lettuce can also be planted next to crops like strawberries, radishes, carrots, and yes cucumbers.
Plants You Shouldn’t Grow Near Cucumbers
We are sure there are plenty more options when it comes to companion plants for cucumbers but above are some of the best plants that help your cucumber thrive. Cucumbers are easy-going plants without strong dislikes or likes but three plants you shouldn’t have near them are listed below.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes and cucumbers should be kept far away from each other and this is because potatoes compete with cucumbers for nutrients. The main reason why gardeners keep potatoes away from cucumbers is that cukes can encourage potato blight so make sure to have potatoes planted far away from cucumbers.
2. Aromatic Herbs
Basils are not to be planted near cucumbers. Other aromatic herbs to keep far away from your cucumber include peppermint and sage.
3. Melons
Melons can bring the very insect you are trying to avoid to your cucumbers. So they should be planted far away from each other.
FAQs
Can cucumbers and tomatoes be planted together?
Yes, cucumbers and tomatoes can be planted together, their growing habits are similar enough to be complementary and both have an aversion to potatoes. Cucumbers are fast-growing vegetables that require adequate water and sunlight which as a result makes them the ideal companion plant for tomatoes.
Do cucumbers need a trellis?
Yes, cucumbers need a trellis as this is a way to grow healthy cucumbers. Cucumbers have two different growing habits which are bush and vine. Bush varieties are compacts and do not require a trellis but vining cucumbers produce more fruits and need a trellis to contain their rampant growth.
Should I pick the flowers off my cucumber plants?
Yes, you should pick flowers off your cucumber plants once a week to avoid a bitter-tasting cucumber. Flowers on cucumbers depend on the type of cucumber plant you have. If the flowers on cucumbers are not picked regularly, the fruits that develop will leave you with a nasty after taste and the vine will stop producing early.
Is Epsom salt good for cucumbers?
Yes, Epsom salt is good for cucumbers but we advise only using it if your cucumbers are a bit weathered and worn come midseason. Epsom salt is a good way to green your cucumbers up and give them a boost however just because Epsom is beneficial to plants, you shouldn’t apply it to every plant unless magnesium is deficient in the soil.
Can I plant cucumbers next to zucchini?
Yes, cucumbers can be planted next to zucchini in your vegetable garden. Planting cucumbers and zucchini together can keep pests away and ensure you have a healthy harvest. Although cucumber and zucchini belong to the same cucurbit family, they can not cross-pollinate because they are two different species.
Do cucumbers need full sun?
Absolutely! Cucumbers grow best in full sun but not for a full day. Cucumbers are very tender vegetables so they just need 5 hours of full sun.
How far away should you plant non Companion plants?
Non-companion plants should be spaced depending on how harmful they are to each other. However, to make things simple, take an average spacing between the two crops.
How often should Cucumbers be watered?
Cucumbers need constant watering to thrive. It needs at least 1 inch of water per week or more if the temperatures are high. Inconsistent watering of cucumbers leads to bitter-tasting so ensure to water as soon as the soil looks dry.
Conclusion
Cucumbers are widely cultivated plants. They are tender annuals and grows best in temperatures ranging from 60º to 90º but there are times when growing healthy cucumbers seems impossible and for most gardeners, this is where companion planting comes in.
Cucumbers have some little enemies which are known as the cucumber beetles and planting some plants nearby can help keep them at bay.
The best control for cucumber beetles to make sure they never show up in the first place and this can be done easily by using a floating row cover over the plants until they start to blossom.
