Complete Gardening
Growing tomatoes can be a rewarding experience in your garden. Be cautious about what plants you choose to grow alongside your tomatoes, as some companions can hinder their growth or attract unwanted pests.
Knowing which plants to keep away can make a significant difference in the health and productivity of your tomato plants.
Certain plants, such as cabbage and corn, can negatively impact your tomato crop. They may attract similar pests or compete for the same resources, leading to diminished yields. Keeping these plants separate will promote healthier growth for your tomatoes.
Making informed decisions about plant combinations is crucial for a successful garden. By learning which companions to avoid, you’re ensuring that your tomatoes get the best chance to thrive.
Understanding Tomato Companions
Companion planting offers a variety of benefits, such as natural pest control and improved growth. Be cautious about some myths that suggest all plants are beneficial neighbors to tomatoes.
Benefits of Companion Planting
Planting compatible companions alongside your tomatoes can naturally keep pests at bay. For example, marigolds are known to repel nematodes, while basil helps deter flies and mosquitoes. Additionally, some companion plants can improve soil nutrients.
Beans can fix nitrogen, enriching the soil for your tomatoes. You might grow herbs like oregano nearby, enhancing flavor and aroma in your kitchen.
Certain flowers also attract pollinators. Sunflowers, for instance, draw bees that can boost pollination and, therefore, the yield of your tomatoes.
Companion planting also promotes biodiversity in your garden. By fostering a diverse ecosystem, you encourage beneficial insects and organisms. This can naturally ward off harmful pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Common Myths About Tomato Companions
One common myth is that all herbs are excellent companions for tomatoes. While many herbs are beneficial, some, like fennel, may actually stunt tomato growth.
You might also hear that tomatoes should only be grown with other nightshades, but it’s worth noting that they can also share diseases when planted too close.
Some gardeners claim that mint is a beneficial companion because of its strong scent. However, mint can become invasive, overtaking your garden.
Another myth is that all flowers make good companions. Though some flowers deter pests, others might attract unwanted insects.
It’s also mistakenly believed that spacing doesn’t matter when companion planting. In reality, adequate space ensures that each plant receives the sunlight, water, and nutrients it needs.
Be mindful of these common misconceptions to create a thriving tomato garden.
What Not to Plant with Tomatoes: 24 Companions to Avoid
1. Corn
At first glance, corn seems harmless enough. It’s tall, provides shade, and doesn’t compete much for ground space. However, corn and tomatoes share a common enemy: the corn earworm (also known as the tomato fruitworm).
Planting them together creates a buffet line for these pests, making it easier for infestations to spread from one crop to the other. If you’re aiming for a pest-free harvest, it’s wise to keep these two apart.
2. Fennel
Fennel is a bit of a loner in the plant world. It secretes a substance from its roots that can inhibit the growth of neighboring plants, tomatoes included.
This allelopathic effect means your tomatoes might struggle to thrive if planted too close to fennel. If you love both plants, consider giving fennel its own space away from the main garden beds.
3. Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower)
Brassicas and tomatoes are like two kids constantly vying for attention. They compete for the same nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which can lead to reduced yields for both.
Moreover, brassicas can stunt tomato growth due to differing soil preferences and pH requirements. Keeping them separated ensures each gets what it needs without stepping on the other’s toes.
4. Potatoes
Tomatoes and potatoes might seem like a natural pair—they’re both nightshades, after all. But this familial connection is precisely why they shouldn’t be neighbors. They are susceptible to the same diseases, such as blight, which can devastate crops.
Planting them together increases the risk of disease spreading rapidly between them, potentially ruining both harvests.
5. Eggplant
Another member of the nightshade family, eggplant shares similar vulnerabilities with tomatoes. Pests like the Colorado potato beetle are fond of both plants.
If one becomes infested, the other is at greater risk. Separating them can help localize any pest problems, making them easier to manage without widespread damage.
6. Peppers
Peppers and tomatoes often share garden space due to their similar growing conditions. However, they also share susceptibility to diseases like bacterial spot and blight.
Planting them together can create a hotbed for pathogens, increasing the likelihood of cross-contamination. Rotating crops and providing adequate spacing can mitigate some risks, but keeping them apart is a safer bet.
7. Walnuts (Black Walnut Trees)
While you might not be planting walnut trees in your vegetable garden, it’s important to note their impact if they’re nearby. Black walnut trees release juglone, a chemical toxic to many plants, including tomatoes.
This substance can leach into the soil and stunt tomato growth or even kill the plants. If you have walnut trees on your property, consider planting tomatoes at a safe distance or using raised beds with fresh soil.
8. Dill
Dill starts off as a good companion for tomatoes when young, attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and pollinators. However, as dill matures, it can inhibit tomato growth.
The mature plants release compounds that can interfere with tomato development. To enjoy the benefits without the drawbacks, harvest dill before it flowers or plant it away from your tomatoes.
9. Cucumbers
Cucumbers and tomatoes both enjoy similar growing conditions, which might tempt you to plant them together. However, they can compete for nutrients and water, leading to reduced yields.
Moreover, the dense foliage of cucumbers can limit air circulation around tomato plants, increasing the risk of fungal diseases. Providing ample space and proper trellising can help, but separation is the better strategy.
10. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are stunning and beneficial in many ways, attracting pollinators and adding beauty to the garden. However, they exude allelopathic chemicals from their roots and seed hulls, which can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including tomatoes.
If you love sunflowers, plant them along the perimeter of your garden to keep their effects at bay.
11. Apricot Trees
This might come as a surprise, but planting tomatoes near apricot trees can lead to problems. Tomatoes can harbor a fungus that causes disease in apricot trees, particularly when tomato plants are pruned.
The cross-contamination can harm the tree’s health over time. To protect your apricots, it’s best to keep tomatoes at a distance.
12. Rosemary
While rosemary is a fantastic herb with many uses, it’s not the best companion for tomatoes. Rosemary prefers dry soil conditions, whereas tomatoes require consistent moisture.
Planting them together can make it challenging to meet the watering needs of both. The differing requirements can stress one or both plants, leading to subpar growth.
13. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi, a member of the brassica family, shouldn’t be planted near tomatoes. Like its relatives, it competes fiercely for nutrients, particularly nitrogen. This competition can lead to stunted growth and reduced yields for both plants.
Additionally, kohlrabi can attract pests like cabbage worms, which, while not directly harmful to tomatoes, increase the overall pest presence in your garden.
14. Strawberries
Strawberries and tomatoes might seem like a sweet pairing, but they don’t get along well. Both are susceptible to verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungus that can devastate crops.
Planting them together increases the risk of spreading this disease. Moreover, strawberries can attract slugs and snails, pests that also enjoy feasting on ripe tomatoes.
15. Melons
Melons and tomatoes both demand a lot from the soil in terms of nutrients and water. Planting them side by side can lead to competition, resulting in smaller fruits and lower yields.
Their sprawling vines can entangle, making maintenance and harvesting more challenging. Additionally, overcrowding can reduce air circulation, promoting fungal diseases.
16. Okra
Okra grows tall and can cast significant shade over nearby plants. Tomatoes thrive in full sunlight, and the shade from okra can stunt their growth.
Both plants also attract similar pests, such as aphids and stink bugs. Planting them together can create a hotspot for these insects, increasing the risk of infestations.
17. Walnut Trees (English Walnut)
Similar to black walnut trees, English walnuts produce juglone, though in smaller amounts. This compound can still inhibit tomato growth, causing wilting and yellowing of leaves.
If you have any walnut trees on your property, it’s best to plant tomatoes well away from their root zones to prevent juglone toxicity.
18. Sage
Sage prefers dry, well-drained soil, which contrasts with the tomato’s need for consistent moisture. Planting them together can make it difficult to meet the watering requirements of both.
Sage can also grow bushy and compete for space, potentially shading smaller tomato plants and hindering their growth.
19. Lavender
Lavender is another plant that enjoys dry conditions and well-drained soil. Tomatoes, needing more water and richer soil, don’t pair well with lavender.
The differing soil and moisture preferences can stress one or both plants, leading to suboptimal growth and health.
20. Carrots
While not overtly antagonistic, carrots and tomatoes can interfere with each other’s growth. Tomato roots can release substances that stunt carrot development.
Additionally, the dense foliage of tomatoes can overshadow carrot tops, limiting their ability to photosynthesize effectively. If you decide to plant them together, ensure ample spacing to mitigate these effects.
21. Pole Beans
Pole beans and tomatoes both require vertical space and can compete for sunlight when grown together.
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial, but excessive nitrogen can lead to lush tomato foliage at the expense of fruit production. Their intertwining vines can also make harvesting more complicated.
22. Artemisia (Wormwood)
Wormwood secretes chemicals that can inhibit the growth of many nearby plants, tomatoes included. This allelopathic effect can lead to poor germination and stunted growth.
If you grow wormwood, it’s best to keep it isolated in a separate part of your garden to prevent it from affecting other plants.
23. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus trees release compounds that can suppress the growth of other plants beneath them. Their fallen leaves and bark contain these substances, which can leach into the soil.
Tomatoes planted near eucalyptus trees may show signs of stress, poor growth, or even fail to thrive altogether.
24. Horseradish
While horseradish can be a good companion for some plants due to its pest-repelling properties, it doesn’t pair well with tomatoes.
Horseradish can become invasive, spreading aggressively and competing with tomatoes for nutrients and space. Its strong growth can overshadow tomato plants, reducing their access to sunlight.
The joy of gardening comes from nurturing life and reaping the rewards of your efforts. By paying attention to the relationships between plants, you can enhance both the health of your garden and the quality of your harvest.
Tomatoes are a beloved staple, and with a bit of foresight, you can avoid the pitfalls that hinder their growth.
Remember, every garden is unique. Factors like climate, soil type, and local pests can influence how plants interact. Use this guide as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to adapt based on your experiences.
After all, gardening is a journey, one that offers endless opportunities for learning and growth.