When certain plants produce immense yields , grow fast , and take a draw of nutrients and water , it ’s only natural they would become the mavin of the garden .
Cucumbers , Cucumis sativus , definitely play that role . But if you ’re knowing , you’re able to make them healthier , happier , and more generative by choosing proper associate as supporting histrion .
Thisidea of companion plantingis part scientific discipline , part shared lessons handed down from home gardener to home gardener .
The basic idea is to intently design your garden spaces so plants that gain each other end up uprise close together – and those that are n’t able-bodied to get along do n’t have to .
We tie in to marketer to assist you find relevant intersection . If you grease one’s palms from one of our link , we may bring in a commission .
The oddment game is to increase the whole garden ’s ability to repulse pests and attract beneficial insects , improve your ground wellness , and sometimes to create an appealing garden design .
While this is a with child approximation in any growing space , I think you ’ll find it really cause sense when you ’re hear togrow a bumper crop of cucumber .
Just a little living from another plant life can increase yields and pollination levels . Sometimes , the other plant life is the main benefactive role , which is all right , too .
I will mention that many of these approximation are centre on garden soundness , not hard research conducted in a science laboratory . But I ’d advance you to give them a attempt yourself and see what works for you .
Some companion plants old timers swear by might figure out a freehanded topic for you . And the worst case scenario is that you plant a few things you would n’t otherwise . No scathe done !
Let ’s get to exploring this concept , and take a look at all the serious alternative . Here ’s what to expect :
What You’ll Learn
What Cucumbers Need from Companions
Before I get into specific case of plant life , I ’m going to take a moment and partake in the general guidelines for beneficial familiar for cucumber .
In general , the plants should acquire well in the same type of soil , and prefer the same pH. To get along with cucumbers , that would mean well - draining soil that ’s been amend with plenty of older constituent matter , and a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 .
As for scant requirement , the best neighbour will either share the need for full sunlight , or benefit from the shade provided by vining vegetables .
Since these vegetable are annual , it ’s key that any blossom or herbs grown in the same garden patch be yearbook as well . Otherwise , it ’s a pain to relocate or cultivate around perennials so you may crop your veg garden in preparation for the following time of year .
you may , of course , opt for perennials , even with the helianthus I ’ll suggest , but plant them nearby or in containers so they do n’t mess up your ground homework next class .
Keep in psyche , too , that there are many dissimilar types ofC. sativusplant , and the ones you pick out will impact your choice of companion .
Bush varieties , for case , do n’t grow so tall they ’ll shade other plants . So you could imbed them closer to fellow sun lovers , like bush bean plant , but you ca n’t rely on them to shade plants like calendula .
The bush type spread more than trellised vining varieties , too , so they require more square footage on the ground orin a raised bed .
That lead you few chance to tuck a few fellow traveler like cultivated carrot into the nooks and chap at the Qaeda of the plants , the room you may when you ’re raise vine on supports .
Whether a variety requires pollination to expect fruit also impacts this selection procedure . You may want to emphasize yearly and perennialflowers that attract pollinators , for example , but if you have a parthenocarpic cucumber assortment in mind , they wo n’t need bees to bring about .
For more info about the dissimilar types of cuke plant , including pickling and slice , hybrid and heirloom , and distinctions made on whether they necessitate pollination , see our guide .
Also , verify to take note how many days it involve each works to mature or fruit .
So I can remove the whole garden in one return swoop for next season ’s planting , I ensure to select varieties that wind uptheir harvest windowaround the same time .
I do n’t like when one variety interim behind the others once I ’m ready to root out , compost , and seed a new craw or prepare the garden bottom for wintertime .
The Best Companion Plants
Now that we ’ve give a canonic framework , let ’s get a looking at some specific fellow traveler that are most beneficial as you pursue that bumper crop :
1. Beans
All case of edible bean plant ( Phaseolus vulgaris)“fix ” nitrogen into the soil , which is appreciate by this heavy - feed garden veggie .
I advocate only bush beans as pal for cukes , though . If you ’re mature vining varieties , pole noggin will vie for sunlight and space on the trellis .
And when you ’re produce bush cucumbers , the vining type of bean will shade them – not a good thing .
I plan this match extra carefully , making sure the cucumber seedlings are at least a mates of inches tall before sowing the beans , so they do n’t grow right over the top of them .
Try the heirloom bush bean ‘ Dragon Tongue , ’ which bring on shell , snap , or dried beans .
‘ Dragon Tongue ’ dome
It isavailable from Territorial Seeds via Arbico Organics . And it maturate in 60 day , close to the same as a vining cucumber like ‘ Marketmore,’available from the same seller .
Learnhow to grow bush noggin in our guidebook .
2. Borage
Borage ( Borago officinalis ) is a friend indeed . It draws pollinator with its comestible heyday that , ironically , taste like Cucumis sativus .
If it matures forrader of your summertime vegetables , you may also want to nosh on the leaves and stalks , which can be steamed as you would spinach or beet commons .
I plant the source next to my zucchini and tomatoes , too . When the garden starts blooming , I delight in watching the bee start up off at the borage , and turn back by to pollinate my veggie plants on their journey to and fro .
This beautiful flora , which is consider a ego - seeding annual herbaceous plant , also adds nutrients to the soil and repels pests like hornworms .
And it needs the same full sun and well - run out filth as its newfangled BFF , so you may found them together in containers , too .
Just recollect to give each plant enough space ; they both really appreciate ample circulation .
Borage
rule tailwort seeds at Botanical Interests .
Learnhow to plant and grow borage in our guide .
3. Calendula
The lustrous orange flower on calendula ( Calendula officinalis ) are attractive , and not just to the human eye .
This annual flowering herbaceous plant appeals to a number of good and pest insect , which piddle it a helpful neighbour for cucumbers .
establish them as a “ ambuscade ” to draw aphids away from the vines or Dubyuh .
Also known as plenty marigold , calendula pull a figure of beneficial prey dirt ball , too . It impart in hoverflies to dine on aphids , for example , and parasitic wasps that consume cucumber mallet .
On the more appealing side of this R-2 of living , calendula blossom are pollinator magnet , which is much appreciated if you ’re grow heirloom , open - pollenate vegetables .
And the compact plant prefer filtered sun or part shade , so they ’re a great pick to grow at the foundation of a vining variety , or next to a scrub flora that will shade them .
‘ Ball ’s Improved Orange ’ Calendula
This cheery plant is easily get from seed . render ‘ Ball ’s Improved Orange,’available from Eden Brothers .
Check out our usher tolearn more about growing calendula .
4. Carrots
Except for a big taproot that makes them so resistant to transplantation , cucumbers do n’t need much space below the soil to turn .
That open up up an chance to constitute a root vegetable like carrots ( Daucus carotasubsp.sativus ) nearby , and use every square inch of usable worldly concern .
Carrots produce best when you institute them as shortly as the grunge can be worked in spring . So they ’ll have plenty of fourth dimension for theirsloooowwwgermination before the land warms and you add Cucumis sativus to that same garden bed .
Both veg value deeply tilled soil , too , another reason they make good neighbors .
‘ Little Finger ’ carrot
For this pairing , look at planting heirloom ‘ Little Finger ’ carrot . They’ll matured in 57 day and grow just three inches long .
Seedsare available from Botanical Interests .
Consult ourguide to growing carrots to learn more .
5. Corn
corn whisky stalks can render a natural stakes for some vining varieties . But if you ’re going to try this , make certain you give the corn whisky a head start .
While corn can grow really promptly , to be stout enough to support vines , the stalks should be at least half - uprise and an inch or two thick .
Also take care not to expect the trellising welfare if you ’re growing motley with heavy return of eight or 10 - inch fruits . Corn is far more reliable as a support for vines that produce smaller cucumber , like gherkin varieties or ‘ Lemon . ’
If you ’re attached to growing bush or heavy - fruit cucumbers , though , the corn will still appreciate them as a neighbor .
According to ag university extension factor at the Chemung County University of Cornell Extension Service , “ cukes seem to be queasy to racoon , so it ’s near to plant them near your corn whiskey . ”
Also , short vine or bush cultivar can suppress pot if you inseminate them at the base of corn plant . Just be sure they do n’t grow so close together that the corn throws shade .
‘ Peaches and Cream ’ Corn
essay ‘ Peaches and Cream , ’ which grows six or seven feet marvelous , and produces eight - inch pinna about 70 days after sow .
The germ areavailable from Eden Brothers .
You canlearn more about how to cultivate corn in our guide .
6. Dill
Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs , which eat the aphids and spider mites that lean to plague cucumbers .
The popular pickle herb also brings in the pollinator , a benefit to open - pollinate vegetables all over the garden .
‘ Bouquet ’ Anethum graveolens
‘ Bouquet ’ Anethum graveolens is the standard selection here , with seedsavailable from Eden Brothers .
It maturate in 40 to 60 day , so it will be ready for pickling enterprises right about the same prison term as your cuke harvest .
Check outour guide to grow dill weed for more information .
7. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums ( Tropaeolumspp . ) import two - for - one trouble for vernacular Cucumis sativus insect pestilence .
First , their vivid , comestible blooms attractaphids . Plant them close enough , and the aphid will bug the nasturtium , not your veggies .
In addition , they ’re a draw play for the beneficial insects including ladybugs , which eat cucumber beetles andwhiteflies .
And the ladybug ingest aphids , too , so you do n’t have to eat away that the nasturtiums will suffer under this arrangement .
This pairing has ocular charm in an edible container garden , too , with the vivacious oranges , yellowness , and reds playing off the saturnine green cucurbit leaves and white-livered blossoms .
If you ’ve got a unattackable enough treillage , study grow a climbing nasturtium alongside your vining cucumber to save space .
‘ Mahogany Gleam ’ nasturtium
For a dog vine with violent - petaled blush , try ‘ Mahogany Gleam ’ nasturtiums . you may regain seedsavailable from Eden Brothers .
Learn to rise nasturtiums in our guide .
8. Radishes
If maximizing every inch of your garden is a precedence for you , consider planting a few Japanese radish ( Raphanus sativus ) near your cuke .
They ’ll sprout quick and the spring smorgasbord maturate within 21 to 35 days . By the time your cucurbit flora are sizable enough to need the space , the Raphanus sativus longipinnatus will be but a fond retentivity .
The ag experts at Chemung County University of Cornell Extension Service recommend this pairing for a different reason , though .
They rede house gardeners to plant two or three radish seeds in each mound because those solution vegetables force back cucumber mallet . They also say to let the radishes get so previous they begin to flower , which submit them inedible but draws in pollinators .
I would add , though , that if you ’re grow a lot of brassicas likekale , Brassica oleracea italica , ormustard greens , you might want to skip this idea .
Radishes are also brassicas , so if you plant even a few of them now , it ’s not a good programme to grow other cole harvest in that soil for a season or two .
Brassica crops grow two years in a dustup in a finicky position increase the risk of sure pests and diseases hit an appearing . As important as familiar planting can be , I would outrank the value of crop rotation ahead of it , and skip the radish .
‘ Sora ’ Radish
If that ’s not a vexation , try ‘ Sora , ’ outpouring - planted Japanese radish that mature in 26 days .
you could find seedsavailable from Territorial via Arbico Organics .
Learnhow to grow radishes in our guide .
9. Sunflowers
Heirloom and other open - pollinated sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ) draw bee and other pollinator to the vegetable garden .
Some helianthus cultivar are also sturdy and tall enough to provide keep for climbing plant . Just check that to pick an open - cross-pollinate cultivar with a substantial snapper stalk .
set them well onwards of the vines they ’re intend to digest .
stress ‘ Lemon Queen , ’ plant the seeded player as before long as the weather is warm enough , and at least three weeks ahead of the cucumber vine .
‘ Lemon Queen ’ helianthus
It get hold of 85 to 90 days to produce five to seven feet tall and flower on a main stalking strong enough to support vine .
Find ‘ Lemon Queen ’ seedsavailable at Botanical Interests .
And ourguide to grow sunflowerscovers finish instructions .
Keep Cucumber Plants Away From These
Along with match up reciprocally - beneficial plants , it ’s a unspoiled melodic theme to keep cucumbers away from these plant that bear on them adversely .
Other Cucurbits, Like Squash
C. sativusis a member of theCucurbitaceae family , which also include various gourd , squeeze , andwatermelons .
You may want to get familiar with that unforesightful list ahead of vegetable garden planning , because ideally , you wo n’t place any of its relatives too close-fitting to cukes .
When they ’re neighbors , they be given to spread disease and pull the same insect pests , since they are susceptible to almost all the same issues and bug .
If any are vining varieties , they ’ll quickly get snarl , too .
Potatoes
One potato , two potato … no white potato here , because they do n’t play well with cucurbit .
One reason is that both vining veggies and potatoes are quite thirsty , and compete for weewee with one or both as the also-ran .
Also , to harvest potatoes , you have to root out them , which can disturb those tenuous , shallow side roots the cuke relies on .
Other nightshades do fine as cucurbit neighbour though , including Lycopersicon esculentum , peppers , and eggplant .
Sage and Other Aromatic Herbs
While I ’ve never come in across any concentrated information on the topic , garden wisdom and even the occasionalagricultural prolongation service expertwarns against planting sage ( Salvia officinalis ) or other pungent , redolent herbs near cucumbers .
The thought process is that the strong scent of these herbs may adversely pretend the savour profile of nearby vegetable .
My view is , why adventure it ? There ’s a chance all those generations of menage gardeners are misguided , but I ’d rather just spare the sage , basil , and mints for other muscae volitantes .
Cool Friends for Cucumber Plants
As you begin using this list of vegetable plant life friend and enemies to plan your own garden , I desire you ’ll experience an bestow welfare .
away from meliorate the wellness of your plants and the issue of your vegetables , companion planting can hone your knowingness as a gardener .
To figure out which pairings will turn in your available raise place , you ’ll need to observe , tinker , and insure in on your seedlings , soil , and even the microbe .
To me , that ’s one of the great joyousness of garden : being present .
It gives me a rise that outdo even the value I receive from managing my cucumbers , and indeed all the veg I acquire , in a direction that will keep them grow at their best .
What about you ? Do you have any experience with cuke and their BFFs and enemies ?
And if you ’re suffer into the vacillation of growing this democratic vegetable , or even if you ’re still just considering all the angles , interpret thesecucumber guidesnext :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . merchandise photos via Arbico Organics , Botanical Interests , Eden Brothers , and Territorial Seed Company . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Rose Kennedy
