Companion Plants That Will Ruin Your Broccoli Crop

Broccoli is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that is relatively easy to grow. However, there are a few companion plants that you should avoid planting near broccoli, as they can stunt its growth or even kill the plant altogether.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the companion plants that will ruin your broccoli crop. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the right companion plants for broccoli and how to plant them together for a successful harvest.

The Bad Companions

• Nightshades: Tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers are all members of the nightshade family. These plants can release toxins into the soil that can harm broccoli plants. If you must plant any of these vegetables in your garden, it is best to keep them at least 10 feet away from your broccoli plants.
• Cabbage Family: Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family, so it is important to avoid planting it near other members of this family, such as cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale. These plants can compete with each other for nutrients and water, and they can also be susceptible to the same pests and diseases.
• Beans: Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means that they add nitrogen to the soil. Too much nitrogen can be harmful to broccoli plants, so it is best to avoid planting them near beans.
• Strawberries: Strawberries are heavy feeders, which means that they require a lot of nutrients from the soil. Broccoli plants also require a lot of nutrients, so planting them near strawberries can lead to competition for nutrients.
• Other Heavy Feeders: Other heavy feeders that should be avoided near broccoli plants include asparagus, cantaloupe, fennel, sweet corn, pumpkin, and watermelon.

The Good Companions

If you want to boost your broccoli harvest, there are a few companion plants that you can plant near it. These plants will help to deter pests, improve the soil quality, and provide other benefits to broccoli plants.

• Herbs: Herbs such as basil, dill, and mint can help to repel pests and improve the flavor of broccoli.
• Lettuce: Lettuce is a good companion plant for broccoli because it helps to suppress weeds and attract beneficial insects.
• Onions: Onions release sulfur compounds that help to repel pests and diseases.
• Peas: Peas are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means that they add nitrogen to the soil. This can benefit broccoli plants, as nitrogen is an important nutrient for their growth.
• Spinach: Spinach is a good companion plant for broccoli because it helps to suppress weeds and attract beneficial insects.

How to Choose Companion Plants

When choosing companion plants for broccoli, it is important to consider the following factors:

• The size of the plants: Broccoli plants can grow quite large, so you need to make sure that the companion plants you choose will not outgrow them.
• The nutrient requirements of the plants: Broccoli plants are heavy feeders, so you need to make sure that the companion plants you choose have similar nutrient requirements.
• The pest and disease resistance of the plants: Broccoli plants are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, so you need to choose companion plants that can help to deter these problems.

How to Plant Companion Plants

When planting companion plants with broccoli, it is important to follow these tips:

• Plant the companion plants in between the broccoli plants: This will help to maximize the space in your garden and make it easier to care for the plants.
• Water the plants regularly: Broccoli plants and their companion plants need regular watering, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize the plants as needed: Broccoli plants and their companion plants need to be fertilized regularly, especially during the growing season.
• Monitor the plants for pests and diseases: Broccoli plants and their companion plants are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. It is important to monitor the plants regularly and take action if you see any problems.

Conclusion

By choosing the right companion plants and planting them correctly, you can boost your broccoli harvest and reduce the risk of pests and diseases. By following the tips in this blog post, you can grow healthy and delicious broccoli all season long.

Broccoli is a delicious and nutritious vegetable, but it's important to know which plants to avoid planting near it. Some bad companion plants for broccoli include:

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and broccoli are both heavy feeders, so planting them together can lead to nutrient competition.
• Eggplant: Eggplant is also a heavy feeder, and it can release toxins into the soil that can harm broccoli.
• Lima beans: Lima beans can fix nitrogen in the soil, which can lead to too much nitrogen for broccoli.
• Peppers: Peppers and broccoli are both susceptible to the same pests, so planting them together can make it more difficult to control pests.
• Pole beans: Pole beans can grow very tall and bushy, and they can shade out broccoli.
• Squash: Squash can also grow very large and bushy, and they can compete with broccoli for water and nutrients.
• Strawberries: Strawberries are heavy feeders, and they can deplete the soil of nutrients that broccoli needs.

If you're not sure which plants to plant near broccoli, it's always best to err on the side of caution and consult a gardening expert. You can also visit Gardenia Inspiration for more information about bad companion plants for broccoli.

FAQ of bad companion plants for broccoli

• What are bad companion plants for broccoli?

Some bad companion plants for broccoli include:

* Other brassicas, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. These plants share many of the same pests and diseases, so planting them together can make it more likely that your broccoli will be affected.
* Nightshades, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. These plants can attract pests that also like to eat broccoli, such as aphids and whiteflies.
* Legumes, such as beans and peas. These plants can compete with broccoli for nitrogen, a nutrient that broccoli needs to grow well.
* Strawberries. Strawberries can deplete the soil of nutrients that broccoli needs, and they can also attract pests that like to eat broccoli.
* Corn. Corn is a heavy feeder and can compete with broccoli for water and nutrients.

• Why should I avoid planting bad companion plants with broccoli?

Planting bad companion plants with broccoli can lead to a number of problems, including:

* Reduced yields. If your broccoli plants are competing with other plants for water, nutrients, or sunlight, they will not be able to grow as well and you will have a lower yield.
* Pests and diseases. Planting bad companion plants can attract pests and diseases that can damage your broccoli plants.
* Poor taste. Broccoli that is grown near bad companion plants may not taste as good as broccoli that is grown in isolation.

• What are some good companion plants for broccoli?

Some good companion plants for broccoli include:

* Beets. Beets and broccoli have different nutrient requirements, so they will not compete with each other for nutrients. Beets can also help to improve the soil quality, which can benefit broccoli plants.
* Carrots. Carrots and broccoli are both root vegetables, so they can be planted together without competing for space. Carrots can also help to repel pests that like to eat broccoli.
* Chamomile. Chamomile is a flowering plant that can help to repel pests and attract beneficial insects. It can also help to improve the soil quality, which can benefit broccoli plants.
* Lettuce. Lettuce and broccoli can be planted together in the same row or bed. Lettuce does not require a lot of space, so it will not crowd out broccoli plants.
* Potatoes. Potatoes and broccoli can be planted together in the same bed. Potatoes require a lot of nutrients, so they can help to improve the soil quality for broccoli plants.

• How far apart should I plant broccoli and its companion plants?

The specific spacing requirements for broccoli and its companion plants will vary depending on the variety of broccoli and the companion plants that you are using. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should space broccoli plants at least 18 inches apart and companion plants at least 12 inches apart.

• What should I do if I accidentally plant bad companion plants with broccoli?

If you accidentally plant bad companion plants with broccoli, the best thing to do is to remove the bad companion plants as soon as possible. You can also try to improve the soil quality around the broccoli plants by adding compost or other organic matter. If the broccoli plants have already been damaged by the bad companion plants, you may need to replant them.

Image of bad companion plants for broccoli

• Tomatoes. Tomatoes are in the nightshade family, which can compete with broccoli for nutrients and attract the same pests.
• Eggplant. Eggplant is another nightshade that should be avoided planting near broccoli.
• Peppers. Peppers are also in the nightshade family and should not be planted near broccoli.
• Strawberries. Strawberries are heavy feeders and can deplete the soil of nutrients that broccoli needs.
• Cucumbers. Cucumbers can attract pests that also target broccoli, such as aphids and spider mites.