Bad Companion Plants For Broccoli That Will Ruin Your Harvest

Broccoli is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that is easy to grow in the garden. However, there are some plants that you should avoid planting near broccoli, as they can stunt its growth or even ruin your harvest.

In this blog post, we will discuss the bad companion plants for broccoli and why you should avoid planting them together. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the right companion plants for broccoli to help you get a bumper crop.

Why is it important to choose the right companion plants?

When you are planning your garden, it is important to choose the right companion plants for each other. This is because different plants have different needs and requirements, and some plants can actually harm each other if they are planted too close together.

For example, broccoli is a heavy feeder, so it needs to be planted with plants that do not require a lot of nutrients. If you plant broccoli next to a plant that is also a heavy feeder, they will compete for nutrients and water, which can stunt the growth of both plants.

In addition, some plants can attract pests or diseases that can damage broccoli. For example, nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants can attract pests that can also harm broccoli.

What are the bad companion plants for broccoli?

The following are some of the bad companion plants for broccoli:

• Nightshades: Nightshades are a family of plants that includes tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. These plants can attract pests that can also harm broccoli.
• Other brassicas: Brassicas are a family of plants that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale. These plants are all heavy feeders, so they will compete for nutrients and water if they are planted too close together.
• Strawberries: Strawberries are a heavy feeder, so they can compete with broccoli for nutrients and water. In addition, strawberries can attract pests that can also harm broccoli.
• Beans: Beans are a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that they can actually take nitrogen out of the soil. This can be harmful to broccoli, which needs a lot of nitrogen to grow.
• Mint: Mint is a very aggressive plant that can take over a garden. It is best to avoid planting mint near broccoli, as it can smother the broccoli plants.

What are the good companion plants for broccoli?

The following are some of the good companion plants for broccoli:

• Onions: Onions can help to repel pests that can harm broccoli.
• Garlic: Garlic can help to repel pests that can harm broccoli.
• Herbs: Herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme can help to deter pests and attract beneficial insects that can help to pollinate broccoli.
• Lettuce: Lettuce is a light feeder, so it will not compete with broccoli for nutrients and water.
• Carrots: Carrots are a good companion plant for broccoli because they help to improve the drainage of the soil.

How to choose the right companion plants for broccoli

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

• The nutrient requirements of the plants.
• The growth habits of the plants.
• The susceptibility of the plants to pests and diseases.
• The aesthetic appeal of the plants.

By considering these factors, you can choose companion plants that will help broccoli to thrive and produce a bumper crop.

Conclusion

By avoiding planting bad companion plants with broccoli, you can help to ensure that your broccoli plants grow healthy and produce a bumper crop. By choosing the right companion plants, you can also help to deter pests and diseases that can harm broccoli.

Broccoli is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that is easy to grow in the garden. However, there are some plants that should not be planted near broccoli, as they can have a negative impact on its growth.

Some of the worst companion plants for broccoli include:

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are heavy feeders and can compete with broccoli for nutrients. They can also attract the same pests and diseases.
• Eggplant: Eggplant is another heavy feeder that can compete with broccoli for nutrients. It can also attract the same pests and diseases.
• Lima beans: Lima beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they add nitrogen to the soil. This can be beneficial for some plants, but it can be harmful to broccoli, which prefers a low-nitrogen soil.
• Peppers: Peppers are related to tomatoes and eggplant, and they have similar nutrient requirements. They can also attract the same pests and diseases.
• Pole beans: Pole beans are tall and bushy plants that can shade out broccoli. They can also compete with broccoli for water and nutrients.

If you are planning to plant broccoli in your garden, it is important to avoid planting it near these plants. For more information about bad companion plants for broccoli, you can visit Gardenia Inspiration.

FAQ of bad companion plants for broccoli

Q: What are some bad companion plants for broccoli?

A: There are a few plants that should not be planted near broccoli, as they can compete for nutrients, attract pests, or otherwise stunt the growth of broccoli. These include:

• Nightshades: This family of plants includes tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. They can all compete with broccoli for nutrients, and they may also attract pests that are attracted to nightshades.
• Strawberries: Strawberries are heavy feeders, and they can deplete the soil of nutrients that broccoli needs. They can also attract pests that are attracted to strawberries.
• Other brassicas: This family of plants includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Planting these plants too close together can lead to the spread of diseases.
• Beans: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can be beneficial for some plants. However, too much nitrogen can be harmful to broccoli.
• Cucurbits: This family of plants includes cucumbers, melons, and squash. They can compete with broccoli for water and nutrients.

Q: Why should I avoid planting these plants near broccoli?

A: There are a few reasons why you should avoid planting these plants near broccoli. First, they can compete for nutrients. Broccoli is a heavy feeder, and it needs a lot of nutrients to grow properly. If you plant it near other plants that are also heavy feeders, they will compete for the same nutrients, and this can stunt the growth of both plants.

Second, these plants can attract pests. Some of the pests that are attracted to nightshades, strawberries, and other brassicas are also attracted to broccoli. If you plant these plants near broccoli, you are more likely to have problems with pests.

Third, these plants can deplete the soil of nutrients. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can be beneficial for some plants. However, too much nitrogen can be harmful to broccoli. Cucurbiters can also deplete the soil of water and nutrients.

Q: What are some good companion plants for broccoli?

A: There are a few plants that can be beneficial to broccoli. These include:

• Herbs: Herbs such as basil, dill, and mint can help to repel pests. They can also add flavor to broccoli dishes.
• Lettuce: Lettuce is a good companion plant for broccoli because it does not compete for the same nutrients. It can also help to suppress weeds.
• Onions: Onions can help to repel pests and diseases. They can also help to improve the flavor of broccoli.
• Carrots: Carrots and broccoli can be planted together because they have different root systems. This means that they will not compete for the same water and nutrients.
• Peas: Peas can help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil. This can benefit broccoli, as it is a heavy feeder.

Q: What is the best way to plant broccoli with companion plants?

A: When planting broccoli with companion plants, it is important to choose plants that have similar growing requirements. You should also plant them in a way that they do not compete for the same resources. For example, you could plant broccoli and lettuce in the same row, but you should plant them far enough apart so that their roots do not compete for water and nutrients.

Q: Where can I find more information about companion planting for broccoli?

A: There are many resources available online and in libraries that can provide more information about companion planting for broccoli. Some good resources include:

• The Vegetable Garden Primer: This book by Mel Bartholomew provides a comprehensive overview of companion planting.
• The Gardener's Companion: This book by Barbara Damrosch includes a chapter on companion planting for broccoli.
• The Companion Planting Handbook: This book by Louise Riotte provides detailed information on companion planting for a variety of vegetables.

Image of bad companion plants for broccoli

• Asparagus: Asparagus is a heavy feeder and can deplete the soil of nutrients that broccoli needs.
• Cabbage: Cabbage is a member of the Brassica family, and like broccoli, it is susceptible to pests and diseases. Planting them together can increase the risk of cross-contamination.
• Fennel: Fennel has a strong odor that can repel beneficial insects that broccoli needs for pollination.
• Onions: Onions can release sulfuric compounds into the soil that can stunt the growth of broccoli.
• Spinach: Spinach is a heavy nitrogen user, and planting it with broccoli can deplete the soil of nitrogen, which broccoli needs for healthy growth.