Perfect Neighborhood for Tomatoes
The climatic conditions of Russia greatly affect the cultivation of tomato bushes, especially when it comes to the middle zone of the country. What to plant next to the tomatoes also plays a big role. There are crops that are simply incompatible with these vegetables.
Perfect neighborhood for a tomato
Influence of neighborhood
Weather conditions not every year provide an opportunity for successful and high-quality ripening of tomatoes. For this reason, most of the gardeners are trying to plant tomatoes in the greenhouse. In the southern part of the country, tomato crops are planted outdoors.
Both options cause certain difficulties that relate to the correct neighborhood. To plant next to tomatoes, you need those crops that allow tomato bushes to develop correctly. Not knowing what to plant next to tomatoes can significantly complicate the process of growing tomatoes and ripening fruits. Tips will help you grow tomato bushes with other vegetables in a way that does not interfere with each other.
Neighborhood in the open field
In outdoor conditions, asparagus, gooseberries and roses are considered ideal neighbors for tomatoes. These crops can coexist with tomatoes due to the fact that the latter, thanks to the aroma of their tops, perfectly ward off insect pests from these plants.
Basil can be grown next to tomato bushes because not only does it help tomatoes ripen quickly, but it also helps its neighbors fight off vermin. Calendula, mint and sage can be good neighbors. It goes well with nettle tomatoes, which have a beneficial effect on the culture.
Neighborhood in a greenhouse
To understand what tomatoes are compatible with, you definitely need to study the characteristics of this culture. Any vegetable needs the right neighborhood.
Tomatoes are capricious vegetables that require special attention and care. In the greenhouse, he will always dominate. For this reason, it is recommended to plant only those crops that are characterized by similar growing conditions in the neighborhood.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers cannot be neighbors for tomatoes. These cultures will not get along well. This is explained by the fact that they have different requirements for care. It is necessary to analyze the care requirements for each of the plants.
- The tomato bush requires watering only to the root system. The tomato needs regular complex fertilizers and ventilation. The temperature regime should be moderate.
- The cucumber can be watered both under the root and over the entire surface of the leaves. The culture does not need aeration, and only organic fertilizers are used. The temperature should be high, because it is a heat-loving plant.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
It is undesirable to grow a tomato and a cucumber in the same greenhouse because they need different air humidity. For a cucumber, the optimum moisture content is 80-85%, and for a tomato - no more than 45-50%.With high humidity in the greenhouse, the tomato can be strongly affected by fungal diseases. And in a cucumber, at low air humidity, flowers and ovary crumble. If possible (the greenhouse is large), it is divided into 2 parts by a curtain of film.
Pepper
Pepper will be a great neighbor for a tomato
Tomato and pepper compatibility is very good. They can get along well with each other, because they are characterized by similar care conditions. The only problem is that tomatoes require dry and warm air. They need ventilation. Peppers, on the other hand, require moist, warm air.
If you decide to grow peppers next to tomato bushes, then plant them in a checkerboard pattern. This is necessary so that the plants do not shade each other and receive the required amount of sunlight.
The neighborhood of sweet bell peppers with tomatoes is quite acceptable.
Cabbage and lettuce plants
Quite often, farmers plant cabbages next to tomatoes. This is done for several reasons.
- Cabbage is able to compact a garden with tomatoes.
- It helps them get the nutrients they need.
Lettuce is very compatible with tomato crops. They do not take nutrients from the soil that tomatoes need so much.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
Early ripening plants are used as compaction plants, in which the growing season is no more than 30-40 days, so that by the time the tomato bushes are fully developed, this compaction crop has already been removed.
Garlic and onion
These cultures help each other develop properly. Only green onions should be planted next to tomatoes. If the plants are planted nearby, then you need to make sure that each bush receives the maximum amount of light.
Garlic helps the tomato fight diseases such as late blight. Quite often, garlic arrows are used to prepare a solution with which tomato bushes are treated.
Strawberry
If you are thinking about what to plant next to tomatoes, then pay attention to berries such as strawberries. Both crops do not like high levels of humidity and constantly need to ventilate the greenhouse. This helps them defend against fungal infections. Moreover, regular airing allows tomatoes and strawberries to pollinate.
When planting, these crops must be alternated according to the principle of 50x50 cm. For strawberries, enough space should be allocated so that 1 of its bush is located on a 35x20 cm rectangle. Such a planting will improve compatibility and improve the development of strawberries.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
It is undesirable to plant annual crops (tomato) and perennial crops (strawberries) in the same bed, because these plants have completely different life cycles. At the end of August, when the growing season of tomatoes ends and they stop watering, the garden strawberries (called strawberries by summer residents) are laying flower buds for the future harvest and they must be well watered and fertilized.
Incompatible plants
Remember not to plant tomatoes next to eggplants or potatoes. Eggplants should not be near tomatoes due to the fact that they also need a lot of nutrients. Another reason for such an undesirable neighborhood is that grown tomato plants will give shade to the eggplant. This can lead to the wrong development of culture, because it needs sunlight.
It is undesirable to plant potatoes with tomatoes due to the fact that these 2 crops have a risk of contracting the same diseases. The main disease that can affect both one culture and another is late blight.
Conclusion
Tomato is difficult to grow next to other plants, so gardeners come up with various solutions to the compatibility problem.You should not ignore the recommendations, this can lead to a decrease in yield or the death of the entire plantation.
