Companion planting is a technique which consists of growing certain plants together in order to improve the yield of the vegetable garden and obtain a good harvest. However, this combination of plants requires a lot of vigilance, because while there are plants that go well together, there are combinations of plants that are not recommended for your vegetable garden. Find out which flowers should never be planted near vegetables.
Bordering a mini vegetable garden or a large flower garden to decorate it is not always a good idea. Indeed, certain flowers may not be suitable for your vegetable plants, and therefore harm their proper growth.
What flowers should never be planted near vegetables?
3 types of flowering plants should be avoided near vegetables.
- Do not plant large flowers in the vegetable garden
Some flowers, due to their large size, can shade vegetable plants, and thus prevent their proper growth. Moreover, all plants, with the exception of mushrooms and rhubarb, need sunny exposure, at least 6 hours a day. However, certain flowers prevent vegetable garden plants from receiving the sunlight they need to flourish. If we take the example of the sunflower, although it is effective in attracting pollinating insects, it is not suitable for all vegetable plants. Indeed, due to its large stem which rises from 40 cm to 4 m, depending on the variety, the sunflower could prevent the growth of low plants that need sun, such as potatoes.
- Do not plant flowers that grow quickly in the vegetable garden
Some flowering plants grow quickly and their foliage becomes bushy as a result. These plants can then prevent light from reaching the vegetables grown in the vegetable garden and thus hinder their proper growth. If we take the example of gladiolus, it is advisable not to cultivate it in the vegetable garden, because its rapid growth prevents vegetable plants from growing well, particularly legumes.
- Do not plant certain bulb flowers in the vegetable garden
Growing certain bulb flowers in your vegetable garden may certainly not impact your harvest, but it could cause you problems, especially if these bulbs are planted next to bulb vegetables. Indeed, some flower bulbs resemble those of vegetables, particularly from the allium family such as onions or garlic. You can therefore confuse them and consume flower bulbs. That said, the problem arises when you come across toxic bulbs. This is also the case for tulips and daffodils which contain alkaloids. Consuming these bulbs by mistake could lead to dizziness and abdominal distress.
What flowers can you grow with vegetables?
Not all flowers are discouraged. Certain flowering plants are good combinations and are even recommended to protect your vegetable garden from parasites and pests, but also to attract pollinators and harvest good vegetable plants. For this, you can choose certain flowers like:
- The concern: This annual flowering plant with deciduous foliage is essential in the vegetable garden. It helps keep white flies and aphids away. In addition to this, its roots are effective in cleaning up the soil and improving its structure. Marigold is a good companion for garlic, onion, leek, tomatoes and even potatoes.
- Borage: This annual edible plant helps attract pollinating insects and keeps caterpillars and slugs away.
- Nasturtiums: This edible flower, easy to maintain, attracts aphids. These then attack the nasturtiums and leave your vegetable plants in peace. Nasturtium can accompany squash, potatoes, cabbage or cucumbers.
- Edible Chrysanthemum: This plant is ideal for attracting pollinators and nectar-eating birds. These make it possible to improve the harvest of the vegetable garden, but also of the orchard. In addition to this, these birds allow you to get rid of pest insects, such as flies and caterpillars.
What flowers to plant next to tomatoes?
To protect your tomato plants from pests and prevent root nematodes, grow marigolds or Tagetes. What’s more, to combat downy mildew, nasturtiums are an excellent option.
That said, to successfully grow your vegetable plants and obtain good harvests, it is important to know which flowers can be combined with vegetables, and which ones should be avoided.
