What companion plants benefit squash growth?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Companion planting becomes a strategic tool in this context. Squash is a sweet plant that does well with planted friends as companions. Corn is a natural trellis for vining squash varieties. Beans enrich the soil with nitrogen and are pals. Radishes drive away unwanted pests, and nasturtiums are the wall around the fortress, so expand the area and plant all those squash!
Structural Supporters
- Corn stalks provide vertical climbing space for vining squash
- Sunflowers offer sturdy stems for lightweight varieties
- Plant 2 weeks before squash for established support
Soil Enrichers
- Beans and peas fix atmospheric nitrogen in soil
- Clover cover crops improve soil structure between plantings
- Incorporate legumes into Three Sisters planting method
Pest Deterrents
- Radishes repel cucumber beetles with their root chemicals
- Nasturtiums attract aphids away from squash plants
- Marigolds emit compounds that confuse squash bugs
3. The Three Sisters Wherever Native Americans lived, corn, beans, and squash were cultivated, known collectively as the Three Sisters. The corn provides the required structure, the beans add nitrogen, and the squash leaves form a living mulch. Plant corn in hills, 4 feet apart, with the beans encircling each corn stalk. Squash may be planted at the base of each corn hill once they reach 6 inches in height.
Plant attractant crops (host plants) such as nasturtium to protect such crops as squash, about 3 feet outside the garden border. To the delight of the gardener or child, these bright flowers will serve as a magnet for pests and suck the life out of all who visit. Remove the infested trap plants once a week. This simple process netted me an 80 percent to 85 percent reduction in loss from squash bug damage.
Grow radishes quickly between squash rows and harvest them after 30 days, as the squash vines take time to mature. The roots of the radish plant give off substances that deter cucumber beetle populations, creating a 'pest-free zone' for some of the most important early growth periods of squash.
Provide your companion plants with sufficient space to help them thrive and grow. Plants require at least 18 inches of separation to avoid overcrowding, which reduces airflow around the plants. Each season, rotate companion plants to prevent disease build-up in your soil. You can grow healthier, environmentally-friendly plants by creating appropriate pairings of plants.
Read the full article: How to Grow Squash Successfully at Home
