Mixed cultivation of tomatoes: The best plant neighbors

What plants get along with tomatoes? We reveal which neighbors are best planted with the delicious fruits and give tips for the perfect mixed culture of tomatoes.

A mixed culture is probably the most original form of vegetable cultivation, because different species grow together in one area. Whether in a bed, in a greenhouse or in a planter - different plants always come together and complement each other. Such a form of cultivation tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) not only ensures diversity on the plate, but also has very specific advantages for the plants themselves.

Advantages of mixed culture in tomatoes

The advantages of a mixed culture of tomatoes over a monoculture of just one vegetable can be seen throughout the season:

1. Mixed cultures are generally more productive and significantly more diverse than individual cultures.
2. The different vegetation shades the soil and protects it from drying out.
3. Nutrient-hungry plants alongside undemanding ones prevent the soil from being leached out.
4. Good neighbors protect each other from diseases and pests.

The tall growing tomato plants are therefore best placed next to low-growing vegetables that only require small amounts of nutrients. In this way, the soil is always shaded by leaves and never dries out completely, even in midsummer. The variety of plants also prevents harmful insects and diseases from spreading unchecked. In this colorful community of plants there are always members that are avoided by pests. Some even produce substances that can deter and repel pests. This also includes the hot garden cress (Lepidium sativum), which keeps aphids and blood lice away from tomatoes. The partnership of convenience between tomatoes and good neighbors is a gentle way of keeping uninvited visitors away.

In addition, the vegetation of different heights protects the soil, prevents erosion from wind and heavy rain and also reduces evaporation on hot summer days. The various root systems loosen the soil at different depths and provide food for earthworms and other soil organisms after harvest. They serve as a source of nutrients for the next plants. But what is the best way to fertilize in a mixed culture? You can't possibly supply each culture with nutrients individually. Our tip: Organic long-term fertilizers such as ours are particularly suitable for fertilizing a mixed culture Plantura organic tomato fertilizer. Since the nutrients are released only slowly by the soil organisms, weakly consuming vegetables can also feed on them without any problems.

What plants do tomatoes get along with?

In mixed culture, a wide variety of plants with different needs are grown in one bed at the same time. Here – as in real life – there are neighbors who would like to live next to each other and those who don't. In the following we present good and bad planting partners for tomatoes. For other mixed culture combinations, we recommend our special article for the best Plant combinations for mixed cultures.

Good neighbors for tomato

The tall-growing tomatoes are wonderful for planting low vegetable plants with low nutrient requirements at their feet. Tomatoes are joined by a wide variety of salads (Lactuca sativa), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), basil (Ocimum basilicum), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum), gladly also as an early culture. This means that the herbs and vegetables are planted or sown long before the tomatoes, i.e. in March or April. Their roots loosen up the soil and thus ensure good soil conditions for the later growth of the tomato plants. They shade the ground while growing, reduce evaporation and save a lot of irrigation water, especially in summer.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) keep annoying aphids away from tomatoes with their essential oils.

Also carrots (Daucus carota) and parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) use the space under the large nightshade plants, while at the same time loosening the soil with their deep roots and ensuring good drainage.

garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), celery (Apium graveolens) as well as most types of cabbage (Brassica sp.) are generally considered good neighbors for tomatoes. onions (Allium cepa), Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) and garlic (Allium sativum) can be planted very well with tomatoes, because these neighboring plants keep whiteflies above ground (Bemisia sp.) and can even drive the vole out of your bed underground.

Also the marigold (Calendula officinalis) stays low, keeps the annoying nematodes away and at the same time attracts pollinators to the tomatoes with their flowers.

Bad neighbors for tomatoes

However, some plants do not get along with tomatoes, for example if they make completely different demands on the location or represent competition. The natural root excretions of bad neighbors allow both partners to grow insufficiently, sometimes even stunted growth occurs. Even if nightshade plants generally get along with each other, you should refrain from mixing tomatoes with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) to grow. Because the latter are almost exclusively affected by late blight (Phytophthora infestans) also invade and infect the tomatoes growing nearby.

Bad neighbors for tomatoes are also other heavy consumers who have a high nutrient requirement. In the long run, this leaches out the soil and the plants suffer from deficiency symptoms.

Peas (Pisum sativum) should also not be planted directly next to tomatoes, because both suffer from the root exudates and the similar space requirement. Fennel are also not good neighbors for tomatoes (Foeniculum vulgare) and red cabbage (Brassicaoleracea var. capitata f. rubra).

Often people plant cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) and tomatoes together, but these plants don't get along well either - this does more harm than good to both partners. Cucumbers need a very different location than tomatoes and are easily infected with powdery mildew, which they then transmit. In extreme cases, both species grow stunted and bear little fruit.

With the right choice of planting neighbors for tomatoes, you can achieve quite a few positive effects - both for the vegetable itself and for the soil. But not only the neighbors of the tomatoes play an important role, but also the next tenants. That's why we have everything for you in our special article about the Crop rotation in tomatoes collected.