The so-called mixed culture with all its advantages is becoming increasingly popular among hobby gardeners. But in order to really benefit from the planting method, you should of course know which vegetables get along and which don't. We have already summarized for you what the zucchini plants harmonize best with. Today we'll explain what bad neighbors are for zucchini and what you should avoid as a planting partner when planting out zucchini.
Which vegetables don't get along?
Mixed cultivation is about combining plants that strengthen and support each other. If you choose the wrong planting partners instead, this will affect growth and fruit formation and development. Zucchini are highly consuming plants and therefore require plenty of fertilizer. If you add other heavy feeders to the mix, competition for nutrients arises, which ultimately has a negative effect on the plants. But that is not the only point that needs to be taken into account.
Zucchini plants are part of the cucurbit family, which has the same disease risks as nightshade plants. This means that a sick nightshade plant can quickly infect everyone around it, which is what you don't want. Instead, it is important to create barriers with other, resistant plants.
Which vegetables are good neighbors for zucchini?find out here.
But what does what has been said mean in relation to specific plants? Which vegetable plants are bad neighbors for zucchini and should be replaced with others? If you plan your vegetable beds with mixed zucchini crops, avoid the following specimens in the immediate vicinity of the zucchini plants. No worries, once you understand the rules, combining will no longer be a problem.
Nightshades and cucurbits as planting partners under exceptions
Nightshades and cucurbits can actually be combined with each other in the bed, as you may have already read from the explanation above. So if you are not worried about diseases and pests or you take the right precautions, nothing will stand in your wayalso cucumbersand zucchini or plant zucchini and tomatoes together. The most important thing is that there is enough space between the individual plants. If moisture accumulates between them, the formation of fungal diseases is encouraged, which then spread quickly. With an appropriate distance, however, not only the air can circulate better. More sunlight also reaches the plants. Also make sure you have an adequate supply of nutrients.
However, if you would like to avoid these planting partners, do not use:
- eggplant
- Cucumbers
- potatoes
- pumpkin
- Melons
- Paprika
- Tomatoes
You can find bad neighbors for tomatoesin this article.
A notice:Potatoes should be avoided in any case, even if you adhere to the planting conditions mentioned above. The potato plants tend to develop what is known as late blight, which can then infect other plants. They also require quite a bit of space, which is why you should avoid zucchininext to potatoesto plant.
Radishes are not good neighbors in the vegetable patch
Radishes and zucchini require very similar amounts of nutrients, which is why they would compete for them as planting neighbors. As a result, the fruits of both plants would develop worse, which is ultimately not the purpose of your effort. Therefore, plant them further apart so that both vegetables receive the right conditions for healthy growth and you can enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Avoid lovage in mixed culture with zucchini plants
Lovage is a herb plant that is very popular in the garden because it can be harvested continuously throughout the season. But that also means that it grows quite vigorously and can therefore quickly rob other plants of the important light and space. Zucchini in particular that are grown on the ground and not hanging can quickly suffer from a lack of light.Look for the lovage(Maggikraut) therefore prefer a different location.
Jerusalem artichoke with invasive root system
When it comes to the soil, the competition between bed neighbors for nutrients is one thing. But then there are also specimens that develop quite intrusive roots that can disturb those of surrounding plants. And of course that also affects growth.Jerusalem artichoke is one of these plants. That's why the tubers are bad neighbors for zucchini. But you can easily plant them in another location.
Broccoli is bad neighbors for zucchini
Not only broccoli, but also other types of cabbage from the cruciferous family do not get along well with the nightshade plant. When planting zucchini, you should avoid the following specimens as neighbors in order to guarantee optimal growing conditions in the vegetable patch:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- savoy
A table with suitable and unsuitable planting partners for various plantscan be found here.
