15 Companion Plants for Cucumbers—and 5 to Keep Away

15 Companion Plants Companion Plants for Cucumbers for Cucumbers (and 5 to Keep Away)

Radishes make excellent cucumber companion plants as they can help deter the dreaded cucumber beetle. Radishes make excellent cucumber companion plants as they can help deter the dreaded cucumber beetle. 1. Radish ( Raphanus sativus ) 1. Radish ( Raphanus sativus )

Not only do they look beautiful, but marigold flowers are also a source of pyrethrins, a natural insect repellent. Not only do they look beautiful, but marigold flowers are also a source of pyrethrins, a natural insect repellent. 2. Marigold ( Tagetes spp .) 2. Marigold ( Tagetes spp .)

Alyssum attracts beneficial insects including ladybugs who feast on aphids. Alyssum attracts beneficial insects including ladybugs who feast on aphids. 3. Sweet Alyssum ( Loublaria maritima ) 3. Sweet Alyssum ( Loublaria maritima )

Nasturtium ward off several pests, including squash bugs , making them ideal for companion planting with cucumbers. Nasturtium ward off several pests, including squash bugs , making them ideal for companion planting with cucumbers. 4. Nasturtium ( Tropaeolum majus ) 4. Nasturtium ( Tropaeolum majus )

Chives make a nice companion plant for cucumbers because they ward off pests and explode into beautiful, round pink flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Chives make a nice companion plant for cucumbers because they ward off pests and explode into beautiful, round pink flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. 5. Chives ( Allium schoenoprasum ) 5. Chives ( Allium schoenoprasum )

Peas are nitrogen-fixing . They prefer cooler weather, so plant peas in early spring. Peas are nitrogen-fixing . They prefer cooler weather, so plant peas in early spring. 6. Sugar Snap Peas ( Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon ) 6. Sugar Snap Peas ( Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon )

Like peas, these veggies help improve the soil with their nitrogen-fixing. Like peas, these veggies help improve the soil with their nitrogen-fixing. 7. Bush Beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) 7. Bush Beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris )

Edamame makes a great choice because they bring nitrogen to the soil like their pea and bean cousins. Edamame makes a great choice because they bring nitrogen to the soil like their pea and bean cousins. 8. Edamame, Soy Beans ( Glycine max ) 8. Edamame, Soy Beans ( Glycine max )

Beets are hardy root vegetables that are notorious for growing in rocky soil, so they actually can be used to help keep the soil aerated by breaking it up. Beets are hardy root vegetables that are notorious for growing in rocky soil, so they actually can be used to help keep the soil aerated by breaking it up. 9. Beets ( Beta vulgaris ) 9. Beets ( Beta vulgaris )

It certainly goes well in the pickling process and has the added bonus of attracting beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden thanks to its large inflorescence. It certainly goes well in the pickling process and has the added bonus of attracting beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden thanks to its large inflorescence. 10. Dill ( Anethum graveolens ) 10. Dill ( Anethum graveolens )

Allelopathic sunflowers make an excellent companion plant for cucumber vines because their tall, strong stalks provide natural support for cucumber vines. Allelopathic sunflowers make an excellent companion plant for cucumber vines because their tall, strong stalks provide natural support for cucumber vines. 11. Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ) 11. Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus )

Similar to sunflowers, corn can be used for supporting cucumber plants as they grow. It is wise to choose a smaller cucumber variety to avoid pulling corn over with the weight of the mature fruit. Similar to sunflowers, corn can be used for supporting cucumber plants as they grow. It is wise to choose a smaller cucumber variety to avoid pulling corn over with the weight of the mature fruit. 12. Corn ( Zea mays ) 12. Corn ( Zea mays )

Leafy greens like lettuce prefer cooler weather, often bolting in the heat of summer, but cucumber companion planting can help lettuce thrive in summer heat. Leafy greens like lettuce prefer cooler weather, often bolting in the heat of summer, but cucumber companion planting can help lettuce thrive in summer heat. 13. Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) 13. Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa )

Varieties like ‘Oceanside’ are harvestable in less than a month, making it a complementary shoulder season veggie. Varieties like ‘Oceanside’ are harvestable in less than a month, making it a complementary shoulder season veggie. 14. Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ) 14. Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea )

Although carrots don’t necessarily bring nutrients to the soil like legumes, they may help keep the soil permeable, similar to beets. Although carrots don’t necessarily bring nutrients to the soil like legumes, they may help keep the soil permeable, similar to beets. 15. Carrot ( Daucus carota ) 15. Carrot ( Daucus carota )

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