The ideal time for planting tomatoes on the beds is mid-May, when there is no longer a threat of ground frost. If you want to do your best to have a rich harvest of tasty fruits and tomato seedlings are not at risk of mold or pests, pay attention to the “neighbors” who will help you with this. Do you know which plants tomatoes benefit from and which plants do more harm than good? Read why bulbs should not be missing near tomatoes, how garlic and onions enrich the soil, and why tomatoes will not be deprived of nutrients.
When planting, think about which plants tomatoes will benefit from and which ones could harm them.
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What crops will help produce a higher tomato yield, repel pests and not compete with them for nutrients or moisture? Gardeners know well how important it is to rotate the crops in the garden to maximize the yield. Equally important is the accompanying planting and the combination of crops in the flower beds, because not all of them can tolerate each other. If you choose correctly, you will make the most of the space, the plants will benefit each other and attract beneficial insects and pollinators.
Garlic and onion to tomatoes
The combination of tomatoes with garlic and onions is mutually beneficial. You can plant them either directly between the individual tomato seedlings or at the edge of the bed. “To make the garlic and onion planting do the most work for the tomatoes, they are planted at the edge of the bed, where they also act as a barrier against aphids and other typical pests,” he says iRecipe.
Garlic is planted at the edge of the tomato bed, where it also acts as a barrier against aphids and other typical tomato pests.
Crops do not compete with each other. Garlic and onions do not have leaves to shade the tomatoes. They don’t even have deep roots, so the tomatoes don’t lose nutrients or moisture. In addition, they are not demanding on the same nutrients. Garlic protects tomatoes from mold and repels their frequent pests, which are mealybugs. The strong smell of garlic and onion is an effective weapon against aphids and other pests. Sulfuric substances that bulbs contain support the growth and resistance of tomatoes. It is also said that growing bulbs and tomatoes together improves the taste of both bulbs and tomato fruits.
Tall tomatoes protect low-growing vegetables. The soil is thus always shaded by their leaves and never completely dries out.
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“The height difference between the plants can protect the soil from both wind erosion and heavy rains. At the same time, it reduces evaporation during the hot summer. Different root systems loosen the soil at different depths and provide food for earthworms and other soil organisms after harvest. It thus serves as a source of nutrients for the plants that will grow in the flowerbed the following season,” reminds the website of other advantages of joint cultivation Plantura Garden.
How to grow tasty tomatoes:
Source: Youtube
What can garlic do?
With a small bulb underground and a narrow stem, garlic takes up very little space. It likes soil rich in nutrients and organic matter and is easy to plant.
“It is a popular companion plant because it emits a strong odor that acts as a natural deterrent to many common pests. Thanks to garlic and onions, sulfur accumulates in the soil, which is a natural fungicide. It can reduce the chance of fungal infections for surrounding plants as they absorb it through their roots,” the website reminds Gardening Chores.
Downy mildew on tomatoes:
Garlic stalks also work well as borders for flower beds.
What plants go well with tomatoes
Accompanying planting suits tomatoes. And if you are looking for ideal neighbors for them, you can choose from a whole range of other types of vegetables or even herbs in addition to bulbs. By combining plants with different heights, root systems and growth rates, you can create a densely planted garden that will reward you with a bountiful harvest.
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He brought some tips on ideal companion plants Meadowlark Journal:
- Basil – basil flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, which can lead to higher tomato yields. Like tomatoes, aromatic basil likes plenty of moisture and sunlight. It helps to control aphids, thrips, thrips and also repels mosquitoes.
- Calendula – is ideal in the fight against nematodes in the soil. It secretes a substance from its roots that is toxic to them.
- Bean – have a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in the soil, which allows them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb. Nitrogen promotes tomato growth and increases yields.
- Carrot – they complement tomatoes well in terms of nutrient intake. While tomatoes need enough phosphorus and potassium, carrots have minimal nutrient requirements, so they do not compete with each other. Timing and spacing are important when planting carrots with tomatoes so they have enough space and resources to grow.
You can add basil and marigold to the tomatoes:
He recommended other suitable “neighbors” for tomatoes Gerden Design:
- Lavender – the sweet-smelling flowers attract bees, which help pollinate the tomatoes. At the same time, they repel mosquitoes, aphids and other flying pests.
- Chive – the leaves contain natural oils that give off an oniony smell that repels aphids and midges.
- Asparagus – has a symbiotic relationship with tomatoes. Tomatoes produce a substance called solanine, which repels rattlesnakes. Asparagus, in turn, produces a natural fungicide that helps prevent early blight and the development of root nematodes in the soil.
- Celery – is a great companion for tomatoes. Its smell deters pests that would like to enjoy tomatoes.
- Parsley – if you are dealing with aphids destroying your tomato plants, definitely plant parsley next to them. Parsley attracts petrels, and aphids are their favorite food.
What not to grow near tomatoes
When planting tomatoes, do not plant plants near them that would attract the same diseases or compete aggressively with the tomatoes for nutrients or moisture. What crops should you definitely skip:
- Potatoes – tomatoes and potatoes are susceptible to the same diseases, especially fungus. Planting them close together would facilitate the spread of disease and adversely affect both crops.
- Broccoli – broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower would deplete the soil of essential nutrients that tomatoes need to grow and produce fruit. In addition, with their dense foliage, the tomatoes would be shaded and deprived of the necessary sunlight.
- Maize – the common enemy corn borer would also threaten tomatoes.
- Fennel – secretes a chemical from its roots that can inhibit the growth of tomatoes and other plants. In addition, it attracts certain types of insects that are not beneficial for tomatoes.
- Cucumbers – although they do not harm the tomatoes directly, but due to their growth they can compete with the tomatoes for water and nutrients. In addition, cucumbers are often attacked by powdery mildew, which they then transfer to tomato plants.
- Walnuts – keep tomatoes away from walnuts because of the juglone they produce, which is harmful to tomatoes.
In the article, you learned how to grow tomatoes correctly. But we also have a number of other tips for you on what to grow in the garden and how to beautify it. Read the articles in the menu below.
