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If an abundant harvest is the goal , companion plantingis the cloak-and-dagger weapon any gardener can practice . Companion planting helps reduce pest and disease while maximizing blank space and crop payoff . When deciding what arise well withcucumbers ( Cucumis sativus ) , gardeners can think about both the current harvest as well as a longsighted - terminus design with recurrent companion plants .
“ When consider companion plant , consider biodiversity , ” says Sara Abbass , owner ofSara Mairead Landscape Design , a Newport , NY - based landscaping company with a focus on sustainability and native plants . “ When selecting the yield and veggies for your kitchen garden , take the next stone’s throw to consider aboriginal plants that will overlap in blooms late into the fall time of year . “ Among her favorites , Abbass recommends perennial like over-embellished coneflower ( Echinacea sp . ) and butterfly stroke weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) to impart to the permanent diversity of the garden .
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Along with aboriginal plant , there are plenty of annual prime and vegetable that make perfectcompanion plantsfor cucumbers .
Cucumber Companions: Pests, Disease, Beneficial Insects
Cucumbers are prostrate to several pests and disease , include aphids , crush bugs , and cucumber vine beetles as well as fungous and viral diseases . sure companion plant life for cucumber vine can help by repelling blighter and also by attract beneficial insects that will prey on the pests that damage plant .
Radish (Raphanus sativus)
Radishes make excellent Cucumis sativus companion plants as they can avail deter the dreadedcucumber beetle . For every cucumber planted , sow a few radish ejaculate at the radical . Do not glean them . Let them grow as long as potential , including go away to bloom . Because radish seeds sprout quickly , once the radishes bug out to look scraggly pull them and replant .
Best For : Deterring cucumber vine beetlesOur testimonial : Get radish cum at Burpee for $ 5.95
Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Not only do they take care beautiful , but marigold peak are also a source of pyrethrins , a instinctive insect repellant . Planting marigoldsas companion works for cucumbers will help repel plague such asaphids , spider mite , and cucumber beetle . to boot , they attract beneficial dirt ball including pollinator that sustain the wellness of the garden and dine on any errant aphids and spider mites .
commencement marigolds ahead of time byplanting indoors , so they are quick to localize out from the start of cucumber season .
better For : Repelling pest that terms cuke and attract good insectsOur testimonial : Get marigold seeds at Burpee for $ 4.95
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Sweet Alyssum (Loublaria maritima)
This low - growing flowering industrial plant has a pleasant spirit and can be planted in tidy sum or borders . The roots are shallow , so they wo n’t compete with cucumbers for water or space . upright of all , alyssum attractsbeneficial insectsincluding ladybugs who junket on aphids .
All of these reasons , combined with attractive appearance and long bloom time of year , make alyssum an excellent familiar plant for Cucumis sativus .
well For : appeal beneficial insects , specially ladybugsOur Recommendation : Get genus Alyssum seeds at Amazon for $ 6.49
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Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
genus Nasturtium ward off several pesterer , admit squash bugs , reach them ideal for fellow planting with cuke . They farm a sweet nectar that attracts pollinators and good insects . In fact , according to theUniversity of Delaware Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources , syrphids , also screw as hover flies , feast on nectar . Syrphids lay eggs on nearby leaf , which hatch into larvae that provender on aphid .
Best For : Attracting beneficial worm including syrphid and repelling pests such as squash bugsOur testimonial : Get genus Nasturtium cum at Burpee for $ 4.95
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
chive make a courteous associate plant for cucumbers because they guard off pests and explode into beautiful , round pink flowers that draw in bee and other pollinator . In her bookCarrots Love Tomatoes , author Louise Riotte urge a chive spray to assist contain flossy mould on cucumbers . Grow onion chives , ortry Allium sativum chives .
Best For : Repelling pestilence and attracting pollinatorsOur passport : Get chives seeds at Burpee for $ 4.45
Cucumber Companions: Soil Structure, Nutrients, Flavor
“ Planting your cucumber in full sun , moist , fat soil that ’s at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit , and leaving plenty of blank space for the vine to grow will help your cucumber expand , ” says Rebecca Sears , CMO and resident green thumb atFerry - Morse . “ Be sure to check the sess [ around ] your cuke plant as well , keeping them to a minimum with consistent bridge player - pulling . ”
Cucumbers thrive in well - draining grunge , so companion planting for cucumbers can admit those that aid give up soil . Whilefertilizing cucumbersis essential for proficient craw growth , some plants naturally help bring nutrients to the soil . Nitrogen - fixing plants , like those in the legume family , make great associate planting for cuke .
Sugar Snap Peas (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon)
Peas are atomic number 7 - fixing . They choose cool weather , so plant peas in early fountain . lettuce crack pea plant grow fast , so in many gardens , they can be implant before cucumber vine .
Like cucumbers , peas are non - integrated so they require some form of treillage to produce on . Both are susceptible topowdery mildew , so air circulation is key to making this relationship work .
Best For : Increasing N in the soilOur testimonial : Get sugar press stud pea plant seeds at Ferry - Morse for $ 3.49
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Bush Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Like pea , these vegetable help ameliorate the grease with their nitrogen - fixing . Unlike peas andpole beans , bush beans do n’t vine or want a trellis . Cucumbers will want to wind around the shrub bean but they are likely not inviolable enough to abide the full weight of a large cucumber vine .
Best For : Adding nutrient to the soilOur passport : Get bush noodle seeds at ferryboat - Morse for $ 3.49
Edamame, Soy Beans (Glycine max)
When determine what to plant with cuke , edamame makes a enceinte pick because they not only bring nitrogen to the filth like their pea and bean cousin , but they grow more like bush bean so they can be engraft in alternating rows next to cucumber vine . Edamame will want to be harvested sooner than cucumbers but overall make for great cucumber fellow traveler .
Best For : Boosting available N in the soilOur passport : Get edamame come at Park Seed for $ 7.95
Beets (Beta vulgaris)
beet are hardy base vegetable that are notorious for growing in rough territory , so they in reality can be used to avail keep the soil aerate by breaking it up . They can be planted in early spring and again in late fall as nerveless - season vegetable , continuously breaking up the soil while also not competing with the space or nutrient cucumber need .
Best For : Helps break up and loosen the soilOur Recommendation : Get beet seeds at Burpee $ 3.95
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
On the list of comrade plants for cucumbers , there are n’t manyoutdoor herbsand spices , because many gardener believe that substantial herbs like rosemary can affect the flavor of cucumber . Anethum graveolens is an exception , as some believe it contribute a squeamish flavor to the nippy cucumber . It sure enough goes well in the pickling cognitive process and has the bring fillip of pull in beneficial insect and pollinator to the garden thanks to its large florescence , includinghoverflies ( a type of bee)whose larva feed up aphids .
substantially For : Flavor and pull in good insectsOur good word : Get dill seeds at ferryboat - Morse for $ 3.49
Cucumber Companions: Space, Conditions, Growth Habit
Companion works for Cucumis sativus can include coolheaded - season vegetable with short growth habits that will be harvested before Cucumis sativus take off . Others cangrow in the shadeof cucumber vines without competing for quad , while others are idealistic for supporting cucumber plants as they grow .
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Allelopathic sunflowersmake an excellent companion industrial plant for cuke vines because their marvellous , strong stalks render born support for cucumber vines . A good principle of ovolo is to implant a smaller variety of cucumber , like a pickling cuke , and wait to plant the cum until the helianthus have already reached at least 1 foot in tiptop .
Best For : hold up cucumber plantsOur good word : Get sunflower seeds at Ferry - Mores for $ 2.99
Corn (Zea mays)
Similar to sunflower , corn can be used for supporting cucumber industrial plant as they originate . Wait until thecorn has grownabout 6 inches before planting cuke seeds , giving the edible corn a oral sex start . It is also wise to opt a smaller cucumber variety to avoid pulling maize over with the weight of the mature fruit .
well For : Providing a living trellis for cucumber plantsOur Recommendation : Get corn seeds at Burpee for $ 5.45
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Leafy greens like lettuce prefer cooler weather , often bolting in the heat energy of summertime , but cucumber vine companion planting can assist lettuce boom in summer passion .
“ I suggest mature Cucumis sativus on an angled treillage and planting lettuce underneath , as the lettuce will enjoy the good afternoon shade that the cucumber vine provide , ” says Sears . The lettuce wo n’t compete with cucumber for space , so they ’ll have plenty of way to straggle on the trellis .
well For : grow in the nuance of cucumber vines , using space in the gardenOur Recommendation : Get lolly seeds at Ferry - Morse for $ 3.49
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Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Spinach is similar to lettuce in that it prefer coolheaded weather , as it bolts quickly in spicy conditions . Whilespinach can be grownin former spring , it can also be engraft in the surrender after cucumber harvest home . Varieties like ‘ Oceanside ’ are harvestable in less than a month , making it a complemental articulatio humeri time of year veg .
Best For : Plant after cuke harvest to employ garden blank space before winterOur Recommendation : Get spinach seeds at Burpee for $ 4.95
Carrot (Daucus carota)
Although carrots do n’t needs bring nutrients to the grunge like legume , they may serve keep the soil permeable , similar to beets . carrot are also a cool time of year cropand arise from semen to harvestable root in 2 to 3 month , meaning they can apply distance in the garden before or while cucumber seeds are sown and then be harvest before cucumber vine need the space .
well For : Wo n’t compete with cucumber for garden space , can help keep soil permeableOur Recommendation : Get cultivated carrot seeds at ferrying - Morse for $ 3.49
5 Plants to Never Grow Near Cucumbers
While there are a number of with child options for well-chosen cucumber companion plants , there are a few to nullify . From those that compete for nutrient to those that slow Cucumis sativus ontogeny , when deciding what to engraft by cucumbers , avoid these five plants .
The monetary value listed here are accurate as of publication on February 29 , 2024 .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
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We ’ll help you set up up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - reason plot out back — and choose the right plant for your dirt and region .
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