It's nice to see pumpkins growing in your own garden. They are colorful plants and their fruits are healthy. They are also easy to care for and are used in many dishes. As with all plants, pumpkins also have good neighbors. Here's what companion plants are suitable for pumpkins and which ones you shouldn't plant nearby.
Why do pumpkins need good neighbors?
As a rule, many plants need the right companion plants so that they are naturally protected from pests. Since pumpkins can be attacked by many pests - such as aphids, squash bugs, squash borers and cucumber beetles - it is important to control infestations naturally with companion crops. Some companion plants act as trap plants that attract pests. And some trap plants can even kill the pests they attract.
Companion plants can attract pollinators, so it is important to know how to choose the right intercropping for each plant in the garden. There are also many companion plants that add nutrients such as nitrogen to the soil, helping crops like pumpkins stay healthy. What's interesting is that many companion plants release certain chemicals that promote faster growth or better flavor in the plants around them.
Pumpkins need companion plants that prefer similar growing conditions. Below we will show you which plants are suitable as neighbors for the summer plants. If you herhave to plant in the same bed, ensure there is sufficient distance between the plants.
Also make sure that you don't plant too many plants at once, otherwise your bed can become overgrown and confusing.
Plant marigolds near pumpkins
Marigolds can repel nematodes that can damage your squash plants. Plant them between the vines, as close as possible. At the end of the season, you can incorporate them into the garden to improve the soil and keep it nematode-free. Marigold helps repel cucumber beetles and other bugs that can feed on the vines, and that's another reason why it's perfect as a mix crop for pumpkins.
Runner beans are perfect as companion plants for pumpkins
Runner beans add nitrogen to the soil and pumpkins need nitrogen for their healthy growth and the large leaves of the pumpkin prevent weeds near the runner beans.
Grow scented nettle as a companion plant
Scented nettle attracts various species of beneficial hoverflies. The hoverflies lay their eggs on the leaves, and the larvae that hatch from them like to feed on aphids, mealybugs, mites and other pests.
Lavender attracts bees
Lavender attracts pollinators and that is a huge benefit for pumpkins. You can simply plant lavender between rows of pumpkins and the colorful summer plants will thank you.
For Pumpkin Good Neighbors: Corn
Corn is one of the perfect companion plants for pumpkin. The plants benefit from each other's benefits. Pumpkinsserve as ground coverand help suppress weeds around the corn. They also retain moisture in the soil and prevent the roots from drying out. The best corn varieties for companion farming are large and robust.
Plant nasturtiums with pumpkins
Nasturtium is a flowering plant thatPests such as aphids, keeps whiteflies and flea beetles away from pumpkin plants. Make sure you plant the plants a safe distance from your pumpkins.
Marjoram improves the taste of the fruit
Marjoram can make pumpkin flesh tastier. Gardeners know that marjoram can improve the flavor of many vegetables, including pumpkins, when the sweet herb is planted among the vines.
Good neighbors for pumpkin: borage
Borage is a useful plant in the garden. The herb has two good properties. It repels pests while also acting as a natural mulch, returning calcium to the soil for your pumpkins.
Sunflowers are good neighbors for summer plants
Sunflowers tend to make good companions because they protect cool-weather plants from the harsh afternoon sun and attract pollinators to garden plants. Their roots are also not deep and they would not disturb the pumpkin vines as they grow.
What not to plant with pumpkins
There are also plants that should not be planted near pumpkins. Large root crops such as potatoes, beets and onions are among the plants that are bad neighbors for summer plants. This is because the shallow pumpkin roots can be disturbed during harvest. And pumpkins make bad neighbors for potatoes because they compete with your potatoes for nutrients.
Other plants that are not suitable for pumpkins: melons and fennel. Melons are heavy feeders that can compete with your pumpkin plants for nutrients. Fennel is a hardy, fast-growing plant that can stunt the growth of neighboring plants.
Avoid planting dill and pumpkin together because dill stunts the growth of the pumpkin plants. You should also not grow plants such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants next to pumpkin. These plants will compete with your pumpkins for nutrients, and are also susceptible to powdery mildew.
