planting

🚫 Companion Planting Mistakes: Plants You Should Never Grow Side by Side

When planning your garden, it's not just about what you plant—it’s also about who their neighbors are. Certain plant combinations can hinder growth, attract pests, or compete for nutrients, resulting in poor harvests. Here's a quick guide to common plant pairings you should avoid.

🥔 Potatoes and Tomatoes

Why not? Both belong to the nightshade family and are prone to similar diseases like blight. Planting them together increases the risk of spreading infections and pests.

🌶️ Beans or Peas and Peppers

Why not? Beans can inhibit the growth of peppers by affecting their root development. These crops also compete heavily for nutrients.

🥕 Carrots and Dill

Why not? Dill can stunt the growth of carrots and may negatively affect their flavor. They also attract similar pests, doubling the risk.

🌽 Corn and Tomatoes

Why not? Both are heavy feeders and attract the same pests like the corn earworm and tomato hornworm. Growing them together creates a pest party.

🥒 Cucumbers and Cauliflower

Why not? Cauliflower (and other brassicas) release substances that can inhibit cucumber growth. They also compete for similar soil nutrients.

🍈 Melons and Potatoes

Why not? Potatoes are notorious for spreading blight and pests. Melons need lots of space and water, and potatoes don’t share well—both can suffer in each other’s presence.

🌿 The Takeaway

Companion planting can be a powerful tool for a thriving garden, but it goes both ways. Avoid these combinations to keep your plants healthy, your pests away, and your harvest bountiful. 🧑‍🌾✨