What can be planted together with cucumbers in a greenhouse, compatibility with other vegetables

In a summer cottage, you want to organize everything compactly yet offer variety. Therefore, when installing a greenhouse in the garden, housewives consider what they can plant alongside their cucumbers to ensure all the plants thrive. After all, such a combination has certain nuances and characteristics that must be taken into account.

Advantages and disadvantages of mixed plantings

Compound planting is widely used by gardeners. Its advantage is the efficient use of garden space, as a greenhouse allows for planting several crops at once.

Other advantages of mixed growing include:

• protection from insect pests;
• minimizing soil depletion that occurs when one type of crop is kept on it for a long time;
• Some plants have an extremely beneficial effect on their neighbors, and as a result, the taste of the fruit also improves;
• creating a favorable microclimate in the garden bed;
• provides additional soil moisture;
• the growth of unnecessary weeds is restrained.

As you can see, there are many positive aspects to planting different crops together. However, there are also some downsides. If related plants are planted nearby, they may be susceptible to the same diseases.

Other disadvantages include:

• plants are damaged by pests that are typical for neighboring plants;
• cross-pollination occurs;
• increased planting density develops.

The nuances of joint cultivation in greenhouse conditions

Cucumbers are considered one of the most undemanding plants, but they are also vulnerable. To achieve the desired harvest, you'll need to monitor humidity and temperature. And when choosing a companion planting, remember that each crop may have different requirements for these key factors.

It's important to use drip irrigation. This will ensure optimal soil moisture. It's also important to keep in mind that plants generally prefer warm water, but some thrive in cooler temperatures.

Requirements for the size and area of ​​the greenhouse

If the greenhouse will only be used in the summer, a plastic greenhouse is ideal. For year-round cultivation, a permanent greenhouse equipped with a heating system is suitable. It should also be equipped with lighting.

Many experienced gardeners agree that polycarbonate is the best material for growing together.

Ideally, for interplanting, the greenhouse area should be 30 square meters. The width can be three meters. In this case, you can create three beds each 45 centimeters wide or two beds each 60 centimeters wide.

Zoning and partitions

For mixed planting, a greenhouse with two entrances is ideal. It's best to place them at opposite ends. This layout allows you to combine plants with different needs. If the greenhouse has a single door, careful consideration should be given to the planting location.

It is better to plant cucumbers in the warmest area, and you can place zucchini nearby.

If you want to combine cucumbers with tomatoes, you'll need to install special partitions made of slate or plywood. You can also use plastic screens stretched over slatted frames. Then, the tomatoes are planted near the entrance. Ideally, the greenhouse should be equipped with several vents. This will provide air to the plants that need it.

Why some crops shouldn't be planted next to cucumbers

Some plants are considered unfavorable neighbors for cucumbers. This is due to the following factors:

• fragrant plants attract pests and give the fruits an unpleasant taste;
• Different crops require their own specific conditions to produce a bountiful harvest. For example, tomatoes require less moisture than cucumbers;
• a neighboring crop can take all the useful and mineral components from the soil, for example, potatoes;
• cross-pollination may occur, which will negatively affect the properties of the fruit.

What shouldn't be planted in a greenhouse with cucumbers?

There are certain plants that shouldn't be planted alongside cucumbers. This will negatively impact nearby crops, and you can forget about the desired harvest. Therefore, it's important to consider these nuances when planning a mixed planting.

Potato

Potatoes have an overly active root system. It grows extensively, potentially damaging the roots of cucumbers. Therefore, they don't thrive together, and their growing conditions are completely different.

Tomato

Cucumbers and tomatoes require completely different care. Therefore, the environment in which they thrive must be different. Cucumbers thrive in sufficient humidity and high temperatures. However, if tomatoes are grown in similar conditions, they will become susceptible to fungal diseases.

As for cucumbers, in the presence of tomatoes they can begin to wither, producing a poor harvest.

Basil

Basil's aroma will attract pests, which in turn will attack the cucumbers. The herb will negatively affect the taste of the fruit. It will also compete with the cucumbers for light and nutrients.

Pepper

Cucumbers require ample fertilization. It's best to use nitrogen-free fertilizers, as cucumbers don't respond well to too much nitrogen. Peppers, on the other hand, prefer nitrogen-rich fertilizers. This ultimately makes them incompatible.

What crops are suitable for the neighborhood?

When planning to use a greenhouse to grow cucumbers alongside other plants, it's important to know which neighbors will provide the most favorable conditions. Choose crops that require the same conditions as cucumbers.

Zucchini

Zucchini thrive in moist soil and require warmth. However, to thrive, zucchini requires a flow of fresh air. Therefore, frequent ventilation of the greenhouse is essential.

It's best to choose cucumber hybrids that can withstand such fluctuations. You'll also need to ensure that zucchini leaves don't block the light from the cucumbers; it's best to space them apart.

Eggplants

Eggplants thrive alongside cucumber hybrids. This crop is the least sensitive to changes in air humidity and temperature. Both plants thrive in the same conditions—a temperature of at least 28 degrees Celsius and moist soil.

Peas and beans

Beans and peas will feed the cucumber fruits essential nutrients. It's best to plant green beans between the cucumber rows. This will enrich the entire soil, promoting a good harvest.

White cabbage

White cabbage, like cucumbers, thrives on moisture and requires plenty of light. Early varieties can be planted first, and then, once the harvest is complete, late varieties can be replanted.

Onion

Despite the smell of onions, they can be planted next to cucumbers. They will actually repel harmful insects. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The following season, cucumbers must be replanted after onions.

Garlic

Garlic gets along well with cucumbers. However, it should be planted between the beds. It will encourage the greenery to grow and repel unwanted insects.

Chinese cabbage

Cucumbers and Chinese cabbage grow well together. This vegetable requires a similar microclimate, including light and moderate nitrogen fertilization. So, the two crops will thrive together.

Mustard

Mustard can also be planted next to cucumbers. It will provide protection from strong gusts of wind. However, care must be taken to ensure that the mustard doesn't overwhelm the cucumbers with its roots or provide shade.

Is it possible to plant a watermelon?

Watermelon can coexist with cucumbers, as they also enjoy warmth. However, when growing together, it's important to organize the planting properly. Cucumber stems should be suspended as high as possible on vertical supports. Watermelon stems should also be monitored to ensure they grow only along the ground.

Fertilizing is also crucial. It should be provided in sufficient quantities to ensure that plants do not compete for nutrients.

Greens such as lettuce, spinach or dill

Greens such as dill and spinach will have a positive effect on cucumber yields. It's best to interplant these crops. Additionally, dill will attract to the greenhouse ladybugs, which effectively deal with harmful insects.

Radish

Radishes aren't particularly demanding when it comes to heat. They do require moisture, however. Therefore, they can be safely planted alongside cucumber seedlings. This proximity won't interfere with the development of the cucumber vines and will also make harvesting easier.

Beetroot and melon

Beets will do well next to cucumbers. However, it's best to plant early varieties. The beets won't interfere, but while the cucumbers are ripening, the beets can be harvested. Otherwise, the cucumber shoots will begin to steal the sunlight needed by the root vegetables.

Melon thrives alongside cucumbers, resulting in a bountiful harvest. However, for greenhouse cultivation, early melon varieties are preferred.

Corn

The corn will protect the cucumbers from gusts of wind and the merciless sun. It will also act as a support for the vines. This will create a favorable climate for the crop, thereby improving the yield.

Is it possible to plant different varieties of cucumbers next to each other?

Planting different cucumber varieties in the same greenhouse is possible, as this will promote good pollination. In this case, it's best to choose self-pollinating hybrid cucumbers. If the summer is characterized by prolonged rainfall, the harvest will be significantly reduced.

How to properly place crops in a greenhouse

When combining several crops in a single greenhouse, it's important to know how to properly space them. Leafy greens, cabbages, and radishes should be planted along the edges of the beds. Zucchini is best planted on either side of cucumbers. Corn is recommended to be planted 15 centimeters away from cucumbers, unless you're growing a tall variety, in which case a 40-centimeter spacing is recommended.

Plant beans and peas need to be in different parts of the greenhouseOnce the harvest period is over, the stems should be cut off and the roots left in the ground. If you plan to grow several crops in one greenhouse, it's worth researching the compatibility of cucumbers with other vegetables to ensure they don't harm the harvest.