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Tomatoes Hate Cucumbers: Secrets Of Companion Planting and Popular Planting Combinations 🍅🥒👇
1. Differing Water Needs: Cucumbers need consistent moisture to remain juicy and sweet, while tomatoes thrive in drier soil conditions once they’re established. Overwatering tomatoes to meet cucumber needs can cause root diseases due to waterlogged soil.
2. Space and Light Competition: Cucumbers are vigorous climbers or sprawlers that can overshadow tomatoes, limiting their essential sunlight exposure vital for healthy fruit development.
3. Risk of Disease Transmission: Both tomatoes and cucumbers are vulnerable to diseases like powdery mildew and bacterial wilt. Growing them close can accelerate the spread of these diseases.
Ideal Companions for Tomatoes and Cucumbers
1. For Tomatoes:
Basil: Enhances tomato flavor while repelling flies and mosquitoes.
Marigolds: Keep away nematodes and other garden pests.
Carrots: Help loosen the soil, facilitating better air and water flow around the tomato roots.
2. For Cucumbers:
Radishes: Act as a deterrent against cucumber beetles.
Sunflowers: Provide a natural trellis for cucumber vines and attract pollinators.
Lettuce: Benefits from the shade provided by cucumber plants, which helps keep the root environment cool. (credit: homemade haven on Facebook) #gardening