Mixed tomato cultivation: these plants (not) get along!

Whether in the raised bed, the vegetable garden or in the greenhouse, tomatoes are simply one of the classics. When planning the tomato patch correctly, mixed cultivation is one of the most important aspects of successful cultivation. Which plants are compatible with the nightshade family and which are not is an essential point in order to obtain a high-yielding harvest and to optimize the use of the soil. You will be amazed at the variety that is presented here.

Mixed culture

Why a mixed culture?

Mixed cultures are a variant of the classic vegetable patch that has been used for thousands of years to protect the soil and plants from nutrient deficiencies, pests and diseases. If different plant species from different families are planted with the tomatoes, they benefit from their properties. If suitable species are put together in the bed, they function as a community, a biocenosis. They enrich the soil with their root exudates, the nutrient excretions of the plants, and at the same time mix their fragrances.

These mixed cultures allow the following positive effects:

• Growth promotion
• Protection against diseases and pests
• Beneficial organisms and pollinator insects are attracted
• a higher harvest is made possible
• the use of nutrients in the soil is optimized
• the aroma of the tomatoes becomes more intense
• Due to the diversity of plants, rough weather can be defied

If, on the other hand, species are placed next to the tomato plants that do not tolerate each other, there is an imbalance in terms of nutrients. Since tomatoes are heavy eaters, they need a lot of nutrients and because of their belonging to the nightshade family they are not suitable for a culture with other plants of this genus designed. They would only be competing for location, which creates exactly the opposite effect. In the mixed cultivation with tomatoes, on the other hand, it is not so important whether other high-eaters are planted for it, even if it is more advantageous to grow medium-high or low-eaters.

Good neighbors

Tomatoes are very versatile vegetable plants and can be combined with a large number of different plants in mixed culture. There are several types here to suit all tastes.

Parsley (bot. Petroselinum crispum)

• the parsley is a real dream for tomato enthusiasts, because the herb is ideal as a direct neighbor due to the essential oils and root excretions

Advantages:

• low nutrient requirement, as weak eater
• protects against pests, especially various lice

Basil (bot. Ocimum basilicum)

• Basil is just as effective as parsley and both herbs go extremely well with the nightshade family
• Of course, Ocimum basilicum is particularly good for Mediterranean vegetable beds, as the two plants fit together like a unit

Highlight of the spice plant:

• Protection from the greenhouse whitefly
• Protection against powdery mildew

Zucchini (bot. Cucurbita pepo)

• the zucchini is a pleasant neighbor for the tomato plants and ensures a harmonious soil quality, as both need sufficient mulch

This promotes:

• Development of effective microorganisms
• a strong growth
• better fruit formation

Just make sure that the zucchini doesn't sink into the shade of the tomato, as it needs at least six hours of sun a day.

Salads

• the numerous, different types of lettuce are particularly suitable as neighbors when there is not much space left

If there is not enough space in the bed, you should plant one of the following types of lettuce:

• Leaf lettuce (bot. Lactuca sativa var. crispa): Lollo Rosso and oak leaf salad
• Lamb's lettuce (bot. Valerianella)
• Rocket (bot. Diplotaxis tenuifolia)

Lettuce requires more space and for this reason should not be sown if there is a lack of space, but otherwise goes well with the tomato plants.

Celery (bot. Apium graveolens)

• Celery also goes very well with the tomato plants and creates an interesting effect
• the characteristic aroma of the celery is transferred to the tomato during the growth phase, which gives it a special kick and is a unique highlight in salads

Marigolds (bot. Calendula officinalis)

• Marigolds offer themselves in the mixed culture with the tomatoes for the following two projects
• attract pollinator insects such as bees and bumblebees, which enables fruiting
• acts as a link between bad neighbors, especially peas

Asparagus (bot. Asparagus)

• If your tomato plants have ever suffered from the notorious tomato wilt (Fusarium wilt), you should grow asparagus in the coming year
• Asparagus works effectively against the fungus and clears the soil of it, which is good for the tomatoes

Marigolds (bot. Marigolds)

• the marigolds act as a precaution against diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria such as nematodes
• pests such as the whitefly are also deterred by the colorful flower

Cresses

• For the cress, it is advisable to use nasturtiums (bot. Tropaeolum) or garden cress (bot. Lepidium sativum) next to the tomato plants
• Due to the active ingredients it contains, the cruciferous vegetables develop protection against aphids, which like to feast on the nightshade plant

The following plants can be grown without problems, but have only a minor effect on the tomato plants and are also positively influenced by them. They protect each other from disease, which makes them extremely valuable.

• Spinach (bot. Spinacia oleracea)
• Radishes (bot. Raphanus sativus var. sativus)
• Radish (bot. Raphanus sativus)
• Carrots (bot. Daucus)
• Leek (bot. Allium ampeloprasum)
• Corn (bot. Zea mays)
• Garlic (bot. Allium sativum)
• Beans: the bush beans (bot. Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus)
• Chicory (bot. Cichorium intybus var. foliosum)
• Kohlrabi (bot. Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.)
• Mint (bot. Mentha)
• Waiting (bot. Cichorium)
• Parsnips (bot. Pastinaca sativa)

These plants are great if you want to enjoy a wide variety and variety in your vegetable patch. Of course, optimal planning is essential here so that you do not combine bad neighbors who can get along with the tomato plants but cannot stand together. An example here would be a trio of tomatoes, lettuce and parsley. The parsley has too strong an effect on the salads due to the essential oils and damages them in an aggressive way. You should therefore always compare the other neighbors if you want to plant more than one species next to the tomatoes.

Tip: Never plant plant species together in the mixed culture if they attract the same pests. A possible infestation by these same pests would spread rapidly within a short time, since the pests have more plant material available as a nutritional basis.

Conditionally suitable neighbors

Peppers and strawberries are popular guests and are among the most commonly grown plants in German gardens. They are often discussed because they cannot be counted either as good or bad neighbors and make special demands on the gardener who cultivates these two species together with tomato plants want.

Strawberries

• if you want to grow strawberry plants in the garden together with the tomatoes, you have to pay special attention to the species as follows
• Garden strawberry (bot. Fragaria ananassa): not suitable
• Wild strawberry (bot. Fragaria vesca): suitable

Due to the high water requirements of the tomatoes, the taste of the garden strawberry is diluted and the tomato plant steals its light due to its height. Rather, rely on the wild strawberry, as it is used to little light and can withstand even more humid soils. There are no positive effects on strawberries and tomatoes.

Paprika (bot. Capsicum)

• A mixed culture with peppers should be enjoyed with caution, because both plants need sufficient space

Yet:

• Bell peppers grow more slowly
• stay smaller
• benefit from the heat near the tomatoes

They are easy to put next to each other and should be fertilized sufficiently so that they do not steal the necessary nutrients. You should therefore provide both types with sufficient space.

Bad neighbors

The bad neighbors should be avoided in any case, as they will not have a positive effect on the mixed culture. If you've come up with a combination of tomatoes and the bad neighbors, you should reconsider so that you don't end up disappointed with a meager harvest. Much of the problems with these neighbors can be attributed to the different site conditions because cucumbers, for example, need a completely different location than that Tomato plants. The bad neighbors are those listed below.

Potatoes (bot. Solanum tuberosum)

• both heavy consumers consume too many nutrients when placed next to each other

The consequences are:

• Stunted stature
• poor fruit development
• Tomato suffers from fungal diseases: phytophthora
• Phytophthora leads to brown and late blight

Cultivation with potatoes is only possible if you position the potatoes far enough from the fruit vegetables. However, it is recommended that you stop growing potatoes completely as soon as you have tomato plants in mind.

Cucumber (bot. Cucumis sativus)

• both plants require completely different locations and therefore cause numerous problems when planted next to each other
• Because of the following points, it is better to forego growing cucumbers completely
• Tomato: possible brown rot infestation
• Cucumbers: possible infestation by spider mites and powdery mildew
• Stunted growth is possible in both species

Peas (bot. Pisum sativum)

• Due to the space required by both plants and the root excretions, peas do not get along with tomato plants
• however, one way to combine the two is to use marigolds. Simply plant them between the peas and tomato plants at a distance of 30 centimeters and you have a culture that works
• the flowers also attract numerous pollinators.

The following plants should also be avoided:

• Fennel (bot. Foeniculum vulgare)
• Beetroot (bot. Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Conditiva Group)
• Red cabbage (bot. Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. rubra L.)