Gardening

17 Companion Plants To Grow With Cucumber

Source : berkeley

Companion plants grown together benefit both the plants in terms of growth and harvest. Cucumber grows well with carrot, beet, and onion among others.

Companion planting is an age-old technique that helps in plants' growth by mimicking the natural environment where numerous species work together to form a diverse garden complementing each other's growth. This technique can be beneficial to save space and put diverse food on the plate as well.

In this article, we will explore 17 companion plants for cucumbers and look at the variety of benefits they provide to each other.

1. Carrots

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Carrots are an excellent companion plant for cucumbers as carrots act as a natural pest repellent for cucumbers, deterring pests such as aphids and cucumber beetles that commonly attack cucumber plants. Co-planting carrots and cucumbers promotes a healthier and more productive garden, benefiting both plants in terms of growth and yield.

Additionally, the tall and leafy nature of cucumber plants provides shade and shelter for the delicate carrot seedlings, protecting them from excessive sun exposure and helping to retain moisture in the soil. Furthermore, the deep-rooted nature of carrots helps improve soil structure, allowing better water drainage and nutrient absorption for both plants.

2. Lettuce

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Lettuce and Cucumber go very well together in the gardens as they complement each other's growth. Lettuces act as a living mulch, providing shade and moisture retention for the cucumber plants, which helps to prevent soil moisture evaporation and keeps the roots cool during hot weather.

Additionally, the dense foliage of lettuces helps to suppress weed growth, reducing competition for nutrients and sunlight. Furthermore, lettuces attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on pests that commonly attack cucumber plants, providing natural pest control. At last, cucumber and lettuces make a great salad for a health diet together.

3. Radishes

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Radishes just like carrots are another great companion plant to grow together with cucumber. Radishes help deter harmful pests such as cucumber beetles and aphids that can damage cucumber plants and also help loosen up the soil for better drainage with the big fruit promoting the growth of cucumber plants.

Additionally, radishes have a fast growth cycle, which can help suppress weeds and provide shade to cucumber plants during the hot summer months. Furthermore, radishes act as a natural biofumigant, releasing chemicals that can help control soil-borne diseases, enhancing the overall health of the cucumber crop.

4. Onions

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Growing onions and cucumbers together as companion plants in the garden offers several benefits. Firstly, onions help repel pests that commonly attack cucumber plants, such as aphids and cucumber beetles, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

On the other hand, cucumbers provide shade for the onion plants, helping to keep the soil cool and moist, which is beneficial for onion growth. Additionally, onions have a strong smell that can mask the scent of cucumbers, making them less attractive to pests. This mutual relationship between onions and cucumbers is not just limited to the garden as they make a healthy food item together on the plate as well.

5. Beets

Source : plantura

Beets and cucumbers go really well together in the garden as their underground roots don't compete for space, allowing both to thrive side by side. Beets act as natural nutrient accumulators, enriching the soil with essential minerals like potassium.

The leafy foliage of beets provides shade and acts as a natural mulch, keeping the soil cool and moist, ideal for the growth and development of cucumbers. In addition to the functionality, the green and red colors also add aesthetic features to your garden making it look beautiful.

6. Pole Beans

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Pole Beans and cucumber are both climbers and have vines that bear the fruit and both their vines help each other to climb the support helping the growth. Cucumbers, on the other hand, offer shade to the bean roots, keeping them cool during scorching summer days.

This collaboration between beans and cucumbers not only maximizes garden space but also enhances pollination as bees are attracted to the cucumber flowers, aiding bean production. Planting them together is a win-win for a productive, space-efficient, and visually appealing garden. Furthermore, one is great for a quick snack while other makes an appetizing vegetable for your balanced diet.

7. Peas

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Peas, just like beans, is another vine vegetable that goes hand-in-hand with the cucumber plant in the garden. Apart from helping cucumbers climb better, peas' nitrogen-fixing abilities enrich the soil, providing cucumbers with essential nutrients without having to use artificial chemicals and nutrients.

Additionally, the presence of peas can help attract beneficial insects such as bees, which aid in pollination, resulting in better cucumber yield. While they attract the friendly bugs peas also emit a scent that repels some common cucumber pests, such as cucumber beetles and aphids. By interplanting peas with cucumbers, the aroma from the pea plants can help deter these pests and protect the cucumber plants.

8. Corn

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Corn and cucumbers might be one of the strangest combo to plant together in the garden but they work great together. Corn stocks act as natural trellis for the cucumber vines to climb onto while the dense nature of the cucumber plant helps suppress the weed growth benefiting the corn growth.

Corn has deep roots that can access nutrients from lower soil layers, while cucumber roots are shallow and can extract nutrients from the upper layers avoiding nutrient competition. Furthermore, corn emits a chemical called maysin, which repels certain pests like cucumber beetles. On the other hand, cucumber plants produce a compound called cucurbitacin, which deters pests such as aphids and spider mites.

9. Oregano

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We have already discussed plants with big roots that are cucumber-friendly in the gardens but Oregano is another short bush that helps with refreshing fruit growth when planted together. Oregano's pungent scent acts as a natural repellent against cucumber-hungry pests, while its creeping roots help prevent soil erosion.

Moreover, Oregano flowers are attractive to beneficial insects, such as bees and predatory wasps, which can help with pollination and help with beneficial yield. Oregano contains compounds that have antifungal and antibacterial properties helping keep the soil diseases that affect cucumber at bay.

10. Celery

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Celery is considered one of the best companion plants for cucumbers due to its numerous benefits. Firstly, celery acts as a natural pest repellent, particularly against aphids, which are known to attack cucumber plants. Its strong scent acts as a deterrent, keeping these harmful insects at bay.

Additionally, celery has a deep root system that helps improve soil structure and drainage, creating an ideal environment for cucumber growth. Furthermore, celery plants provide shade and act as a windbreak for cucumber vines, protecting them from harsh weather conditions. Overall, the presence of celery in the cucumber garden enhances the health and productivity of cucumber plants.

11. Dill

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Dill has got to be the spice plant to grow together with the cucumber vines as the pairing does not have a drawback but only has benefits. For starters, dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and wasps that prey on cucumber pests such as aphids and cucumber beetles.

Additionally, dill's tall and airy structure provides shade and support for cucumber vines, enhancing their growth and preventing them from sprawling on the ground. Once harvested, dill seeds can be paired with cucumber to craft a mouth-watering pickle to enjoy as a snack or with your dinner making it a win-win situation.

12. Garlic

Source : theguardian

Garlic and cucumbers are like the dynamic duo of the garden. While garlic adds a delightful kick to culinary creations, it also plays the role of protector when paired with cucumbers. Its strong odor acts as a natural repellent for common cucumber pests, keeping them at bay.

Additionally, garlic's underground roots help deter soil-dwelling intruders. The result? The cucumber patch becomes a fortress of flavor and resilience. This companionship not only ensures pest-free cucumbers but also encourages a healthier, bountiful harvest. So, let garlic and cucumbers stand side by side in the garden, where flavor and fortitude thrive together.

13. Sunflowers

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Sunflowers and cucumbers when planted together not only add a touch of visual appeal to your garden but also offer several practical benefits. Sunflowers attract pollinators like bees, which play a crucial role in cucumber pollination.

Additionally, their tall stature provides much-needed shade and shelter for cucumber plants during scorching summer days. Sunflower roots help improve soil structure, enhancing cucumber growth. The synergy between sunflowers and cucumbers creates a harmonious and bountiful garden, making it a choice for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to boost cucumber yields.

14. Borage

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Borage is a practical choice for planting together with cucumber in the garden as it is both aesthetically pleasing with the blue star-shaped flower and helpful for cucumber in the plant's growth. For starters, Borage attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for cucumber plants to produce fruit.

Furthermore, borage leaves release compounds that repel harmful pests like cucumber beetles and tomato hornworms, acting as a natural pest deterrent for the cucumber plants. Overall, growing borage alongside cucumbers can enhance pollination, improve soil health, and protect against pests, making it a highly beneficial companion plant.

15. Marigold

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Marigolds are considered one of the best companion plants for cucumbers due to their numerous benefits. Firstly, marigolds emit a strong scent that repels harmful insects like aphids and nematodes, protecting the cucumber plants from potential damage.

In addition, marigolds attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees, which aid in pollination. Furthermore, marigolds act as a natural weed suppressant, reducing competition for nutrients and water. Lastly, the vibrant blooms of marigolds enhance the aesthetic appeal of the cucumber garden, creating a visually pleasing and diverse environment.

16. Nasturtiums

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Nasturtiums are not just for aesthetics as the flower is edible and can be used for garnishing but the more important aspect of the plant when grown together with cucumber is its natural pest deterrent abilities keeping the pests away from the cucumber plant for a bountiful harvest.

Nasturtiums release a strong scent that repels aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs, which are common pests that can damage cucumber plants. Furthermore, the sprawling nature of nasturtiums acts as a living mulch, providing shade and reducing soil moisture loss, creating a favorable environment for cucumber growth.

17. Sweet Alyssum

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Sweet Alyssum is another excellent companion flower plant to grow with cucumbers as this low-growing flowering plant attracts beneficial insects like bees, syrphid flies, and parasitic wasps that help in pollination and pest control.

The aromatic scent of Sweet Alyssum also acts as a natural deterrent against pests like aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting the cucumber plants from infestations. Moreover, Sweet Alyssum acts as a living mulch, suppressing weed growth and conserving soil moisture for the cucumber plants. Its delicate flowers provide a beautiful contrast to the vibrant green of the cucumber vines, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the garden.