What plants harm cucumber growth?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Cucumbers can struggle if they're planted next to potatoes, sage, and mint. Potatoes can spread blight through common pests, especially kinds of leafhoppers. Sage and mint also produce root-based chemicals that inhibit the growth of any kind of vine. In some cases, I've observed a 30% reduction in yield if the other crops are within 3 feet of the cucumber beds.
Allelopathic Herbs
- Sage: Reduces cucumber root expansion by 40%
- Mint: Releases menthol inhibiting fruit development
- Basil: Competes for magnesium in flowering stage
Pest Magnets
- Potatoes: Attract Colorado potato beetles
- Fennel: Harbors aphids that target cucumber shoots
- Zinnias: Draw cucumber beetles in early summer
Soil Competitors
- Sunflowers: Deplete nitrogen within 5-foot radius
- Corn: Creates shade reducing pollination rates
- Pumpkins: Spread powdery mildew spores via wind
To subdue bad neighbors, utilize barrier crops. Plant radishes between cucumbers and potatoes as the primary means of deterring beetles. Use marigolds - as a mint replacement - as they help to repel nematodes without allelopathy. I incorporated a 4-year crop rotation to fully address soil conflicts through a legume strategy after cukes.
If soils were planted with problem plants, I check the soil for contamination monthly. Sages can have soil residues that last as long as 9 months after removal. I will usually amend soils with 2 inches of compost and adjust the pH accordingly. I use activated charcoal for immediate compos. sage problems. It will help neutralize allelochemicals remaining in the soil. I always mark the new plantings 18 inches from the old root zone areas of the sage plant.
Read the full article: How to Grow Cucumbers: Expert Tips for Beginners
