Tomatoes and cucumbers are very popular with gardeners. And many are wondering whether the two types of vegetables get along with each other. This text provides information about the extent to which tomato and cucumber plants go together.
Table of Contents
Im Beet
In the garden it is basically possible to plant tomatoes and cucumbers together, but there are advantages and disadvantages. Increased attention is therefore required so that both types of vegetables in a mixed culture bring full yield. However, separate areas with different planting partners are better than the direct vicinity in a bed.
nutrient supply
Since tomatoes and cucumbers are so-called heavy consumers, they need a particularly large number of nutrients and must also be fertilized during cultivation.
- Advantage: joint fertilization possible in the same bed
- Disadvantage: are in constant competition for nutrients
- (Possible) consequence: both plants suffer or only one thrives
pests and diseases
There are hardly any pests that occur equally on both types of vegetables and would therefore speak against planting them together in the garden bed. Only the susceptibility to fungal diseases can be a problem. In tomatoes it is late blight , in cucumber plants it is often powdery mildew . Fungal infestation can be prevented as follows:
- wide planting distances between the neighbors
- Keep leaves dry/water directly at the root
- Use plant strengtheners
- choose an airy, sunny location
- plant resistant or hardy varieties
Water
Both types of vegetables belong to the group of fruit vegetables that need a lot of water for fruit formation. They need daily watering and appreciate a layer of mulch that reduces evaporation.
In the greenhouse
The conditions for growing vegetables under glass are slightly different than outdoors. The microclimate has a greater impact, including on the co-cultivation of cucumber and tomato plants.
humidity
One problem in the greenhouse is the high humidity. While some types of vegetables need exactly this moisture, they tolerate others very poorly and may develop fungi.
Although frequent airing can lower the humidity, it often drives the heat out of the greenhouse. That’s why it makes more sense from the outset to only plant vegetables together that have similar requirements in terms of humidity and warmth. This is not the case with tomatoes and cucumbers:
- Tomatoes like it dry
- Cucumbers rather moist
soil fatigue
Due to the often limited space in the greenhouse, vegetable plants are planted closer together. If heavy feeders are planted together, soil fatigue can occur much more quickly and the plants will suffer. Frequent fertilization and nutrient supplementation are necessary.
diseases and pests
A disadvantage of greenhouses is the faster spread of pests and diseases due to the limited space. Fungal diseases in particular thrive in the warm, humid climate of the greenhouse. Condensation that forms on the leaves can cause blight on tomato plants, for example.
Plant separately
If tomato plants and cucumbers are to grow in greenhouses , then this only works well separately:
- two small greenhouses or
- separate areas in one big
- Tomatoes at more airy, drier area at door
- Cucumber plants in the back
frequently asked Questions
All tomato varieties get along well with low leafy greens, such as lettuce or spinach. Root vegetables and bulb vegetables are also suitable for mixed cultivation. Various types of low flowers are suitable for attracting pollinators.
The following are suitable for mixed cultivation with cucumber plants: leeks, peas or herbs such as dill. However, this also depends heavily on the growth characteristics of the cucumber variety in question.
Basically, there is a rule in the garden that a vegetable variety should only be planted again after a few years in the same location in order to prevent soil fatigue, diseases and pests. However, if tomatoes are kept in buckets, they can always be in the same location if new soil is used. The same goes for cucumber plants.
