Incompatible Plants: Which Plants Should Not Be Planted Nearby 0 40

The relationships between plants in the garden depend on many factors: close kinship, the release of various substances by roots and leaves, maturation periods, as well as requirements for light, water, and nutrients. Some plants promote each other's growth, while others, on the contrary, suppress it.

This is especially important to consider in small garden plots, where several crops are grown in one bed to save space. To achieve a good harvest, it is necessary to know which plants cannot coexist with each other.

Potatoes and Tomatoes

These crops are close relatives, belonging to the nightshade family. They are susceptible to the same diseases and suffer from the same pests, such as the phytophthora fungus and Colorado beetles. Other nightshades include eggplants, peppers, tomatillos, and nightshade. When planted closely, these plants can infect each other. To prevent the spread of diseases, beans or beets can be planted between the beds.

Interesting Fact

American breeder Luther Burbank developed a hybrid potato variety with large tubers and fruits resembling tomatoes, called the tomtato, in the early 20th century. However, the hybrid did not gain popularity in agriculture as it could not reproduce itself.

Plants grown from its seeds had oddly shaped fruits and underdeveloped tubers. Experiments in this direction continue, but such hybrids have not yet been brought into mass production.

Cabbage and Radish

Here, the kinship of the plants also plays a negative role, as they belong to the cruciferous family. This includes radishes, turnips, swedes, and rutabagas. Cruciferous plants are susceptible to attacks from pests such as the cabbage butterfly (and its caterpillars), cabbage aphids, cabbage bugs, and cruciferous flea beetles.

These pests damage the leaves and heads, which can lead to the death of the plants. It is better to plant dill between cruciferous plants.

Carrots and Dill

Planting umbrella crops such as carrots, dill, parsley, and celery is not recommended near each other, as they suffer from the same diseases and pests. This also negatively affects the growth of the plants. Carrots and dill require the same set of nutrients, and their root systems begin to compete, leading to smaller root sizes and reduced dill yields. Additionally, the tall umbrellas of dill can shade the carrots.

It is not recommended to plant carrots under an apple tree, as this may worsen the taste of the roots, giving them bitterness.

Garlic and Beans

Garlic is known for its phytoncidal and antibacterial properties, which positively affect most plants, protecting them from pests. However, not all plants can coexist with garlic. Leguminous crops such as beans, peas, and lentils react poorly to its proximity. Neighboring garlic leads to a decrease in the number of flowers and pods in beans, negatively affecting the yield.

Cucumbers and Zucchini

The pumpkin family requires similar growth conditions. Cucumbers and zucchini prefer high temperatures and humidity, but they should not be planted nearby, as this can disrupt the pollination process. Seeds of such plants are not recommended to be saved for planting the following year. Additionally, zucchini and cucumbers are often attacked by powdery mildew, which spreads quickly across the beds.

Beets and Corn

The antibacterial toxins released by beets negatively affect the germination of corn. Beets require a lot of light, and tall corn creates shade, which also hinders their growth. Furthermore, the root system of beets may be deprived of nutrients due to the deeply growing roots of corn.

Grapes and Cabbage

The incompatibility of these two crops has been known since ancient times. In Ancient Greece, it was already known that grapevines wither near cabbage, and the taste of the berries deteriorates. This is surprising, as the quality of grape fruits does not change near cauliflower. The reason may be allelopathy — the influence of closely growing plants on each other through the release of chemicals. Grapes do not tolerate competitors.

Onions and Peas

These plants cannot coexist nearby: peas will grow slowly, and the yield of both crops will be low. It is better to plant celery, beets, cucumbers, radishes, or cress salad next to onions. Peas grow well next to carrots, cucumbers, and turnips.

Horseradish and Turnip

The root system of horseradish grows up to 2 meters deep, and getting rid of it is as difficult as removing weeds. Therefore, horseradish plantings need to be controlled by trimming side shoots. This will help produce a smooth and large root. At the same time, turnips, completing their full development cycle, deplete the soil by taking many nutrients. These two plants will hinder each other's development.

Strawberries and Raspberries

Raspberry bushes require a lot of moisture and can dry out the soil, which negatively affects strawberries, which may stop bearing fruit and even die. The proximity of strawberries and tomatoes is also dangerous, as both crops require the same nutrients, slowing their growth. Additionally, they can infect each other with phytophthora.