The Top Vegetables You Shouldn't Plant Together

Are you a passionate gardener who wants to ensure their vegetable garden thrives? Are you hoping to produce healthy and abundant crops? Then it's essential to learn about the vegetables you shouldn't plant together. While some pairings can work well and even benefit each other, others can lead to stunted growth or even attract pests and diseases.

Here are some of the top vegetables you should avoid planting together:

Tomatoes and Cucumbers

Why they don't mix

When tomatoes and cucumbers are planted too close together, they can compete for nutrients in the soil. Additionally, both plants are susceptible to fungal diseases, so planting them together can increase the chances of an outbreak. Furthermore, cucumbers tend to spread and may take over your tomato plants' space, leading to overcrowding.

How to plant them instead

To avoid these issues, it's best to plant tomatoes and cucumbers in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can grow them vertically on trellises, which saves space and decreases the chance of soil-borne diseases.

Onions and Beans

Why they don't mix

Onions and beans have different nutrient requirements, and planting them together can stunt their growth. Beans also release a type of nitrogen into the soil, which onions don't need, leading to an excess of nitrogen in the soil. This can result in weak stems and fewer bulbs.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant beans in a different area of your garden than onions. You can also plant beans with other plants that require similar nutrients, such as corn or squash.

Carrots and Dill

Why they don't mix

Carrots and dill are often planted together because they complement each other in the kitchen. However, planting them too close can lead to cross-pollination, which can affect the flavor of both crops. Additionally, dill attracts pests such as aphids or spider mites, which can harm your carrots.

How to plant them instead

To avoid cross-pollination, it's best to plant carrots and dill at least 10 feet apart. Alternatively, you can plant dill after your carrots have matured or in a separate location altogether.

Cabbage and Tomatoes

Why they don't mix

Cabbage and tomatoes are both heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients from the soil. When planted together, they can compete for these nutrients, leading to stunted growth. Additionally, cabbage is susceptible to a type of fungus that tomatoes carry, which can spread easily in close proximity.

How to plant them instead

To avoid competition for nutrients, plant cabbage and tomatoes in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can plant them in different seasons or use crop rotation to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Peppers and Fennel

Why they don't mix

Peppers and fennel are incompatible because they have different water requirements. Peppers need consistent moisture, while fennel prefers dry conditions. Planting them together can cause one or both plants to suffer.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant peppers and fennel in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can plant them in containers with different soil compositions to meet their individual needs.

Broccoli and Pole Beans

Why they don't mix

Broccoli and pole beans are often planted together because they grow well in the same conditions. However, pole beans can climb up and around broccoli plants, making it difficult to harvest the broccoli. Additionally, the shade created by the bean plants can stunt the growth of the broccoli.

How to plant them instead

To avoid the issues, plant broccoli and pole beans in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can plant bush beans instead of pole beans or use a trellis system to train the beans away from the broccoli.

Squash and Potatoes

Why they don't mix

Squash and potatoes both require a lot of space to grow properly. When planted together, they can compete for space, leading to stunted growth. Additionally, squash plants can spread and take over your potato plants' space, leading to overcrowding.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant squash and potatoes in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can grow your squash vertically on a trellis to save space.

Spinach and Strawberries

Why they don't mix

Spinach and strawberries are not ideal planting companions because they have different pH requirements. Strawberries prefer acidic soil, while spinach prefers a more neutral pH. Planting them together can lead to an imbalance in soil pH, which can affect both crops' growth.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant spinach and strawberries in different areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can adjust the soil pH by adding sulfur or lime to meet each plant's needs.

Lettuce and Celery

Why they don't mix

Lettuce and celery have different nutrient requirements. When planted together, they can compete for nutrients, leading to stunted growth. Additionally, celery is a heavy feeder and can take over lettuce's space.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant lettuce and celery in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can use crop rotation and plant lettuce after the celery has been harvested.

Beets and Pole Beans

Why they don't mix

Beets and pole beans are not ideal planting companions because they have different water requirements. Beets prefer consistent moisture, while pole beans prefer drier conditions. Planting them together can cause one or both plants to suffer.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant beets and pole beans in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can plant bush beans instead of pole beans or use a trellis system to train the beans away from the beets.

Radishes and Hyssop

Why they don't mix

Radishes and hyssop are not ideal planting companions because they attract different pests. Hyssop attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, while radishes attract pests such as flea beetles and root maggots.

How to plant them instead

To avoid pest issues, plant radishes and hyssop in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can plant hyssop in containers or as a border around your garden to attract beneficial insects.

Cauliflower and Pole Beans

Why they don't mix

Cauliflower and pole beans are not ideal planting companions because they have different nutrient requirements. Cauliflower requires rich soil, while pole beans do best in less fertile soil. Planting them together can lead to an imbalance of nutrients in the soil.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant cauliflower and pole beans in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can use crop rotation and plant cauliflower after the beans have been harvested.

Garlic and Peas

Why they don't mix

Garlic and peas are not ideal planting companions because they have different water requirements. Garlic prefers dry conditions, while peas require consistent moisture. Planting them together can cause one or both plants to suffer.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant garlic and peas in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can plant garlic in containers with well-draining soil or grow peas vertically on a trellis away from the garlic.

Kale and Strawberries

Why they don't mix

Kale and strawberries are not ideal planting companions because they have different nutrient requirements. Kale requires nitrogen-rich soil, while strawberries prefer potassium-rich soil. Planting them together can lead to an imbalance of nutrients in the soil.

How to plant them instead

To avoid this issue, plant kale and strawberries in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can amend the soil with compost or fertilizer to meet each plant's needs.

Corn and Tomatoes

Why they don't mix

Corn and tomatoes are not ideal planting companions because they attract the same pests, such as corn earworms and tomato fruitworms. Planting them together can lead to an infestation of pests that can cause significant damage to both crops.

How to plant them instead

To avoid pest issues, plant corn and tomatoes in separate areas of your garden. Alternatively, you can use crop rotation and plant corn after the tomatoes have been harvested.



In planting certain vegetables together can have disastrous consequences for your garden. By avoiding these pairings, you can ensure a bountiful harvest and reduce the likelihood of pest and disease issues. Remember to research each plant's requirements before planting and adjust accordingly to ensure optimal growth.

FAQs

Q1: Can I plant zucchini and cucumbers together?

Yes, zucchini and cucumbers can be planted together as they have similar nutrient and water requirements.

Q2: What is crop rotation, and how does it help?

Crop rotation is the practice of changing the location of crops from season to season. It helps prevent soil-borne diseases and pests by interrupting their life cycles.

Q3: Can I plant herbs with my vegetables?

Yes, herbs can be planted with vegetables, but make sure to research which herbs complement each vegetable and avoid planting ones that have different water or nutrient requirements.

Q4: How can I prevent cross-pollination between plants?

Cross-pollination can be prevented by spacing plants far enough apart or using physical barriers, such as netting or cages.

Q5: Can I use companion planting to deter pests?

Yes, companion planting can be used to deter pests. For example, planting marigolds alongside vegetables can repel pests such as nematodes and aphids.