Companion planting is a gardening method in which plants are put together in a way that helps both of them. Choosing the right plants to grow with eggplants can have a big effect on how much you get to gather. This detailed guide will show you the best and worst plants to grow with eggplant. This will help you get the most out of your yard and keep it thriving.
Why Planting Eggplants near Other Plants Is Important
Growing eggplants with other plants has a lot of benefits. It can bring in good bugs, get rid of pests naturally, and add nutrients to the soil. For eggplants in particular, companion planting can keep away dangerous pests and improve growth by making the soil better. Also, planting with other plants increases biodiversity, which makes your garden stronger and more useful.
How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Planting Together
Even though growing things together can be helpful, it’s important not to make certain mistakes. One common mistake is to put things next to each other that need the same resources. For example, putting together two plants that need a lot of food can use up the soil’s minerals. Another mistake is to put things together that bring in the same pests, which can lead to hard infestations. When choosing plants to grow with eggplants, choose ones that don’t fight with them but instead add to them.
The Best Flowers to Grow with Eggplants
Flowers are great companions for eggplants because they add beauty to your yard and give you certain benefits.
1. Marigolds: The bright flowers of marigolds keep nematodes away from eggplant roots. Nematodes are tiny pests that live in the soil.
2. Nasturtiums: The bright trumpet-shaped flowers of nasturtiums keep away aphids, beetles, and squash bugs, among other pests. They also bring in good bugs, like bugs that eat other bugs and pollinators.
3. Calendula: Calendula, which is also called pot marigold, brings in good bugs and keeps away some pests. Its bright orange flowers give your garden a splash of color.
The Best Herbs to Grow with Eggplants
Herbs can also be good companions for eggplants because they can keep pests away, bring good bugs, and even improve the taste.
1. Borage: This plant keeps away tomato hornworms, which are a regular problem for eggplants. It also brings in good bugs like bees and wasps that eat bad bugs.
2. Dill: Dill brings in good bugs like wasps and other predators, but it should be grown with care because it can also bring in tomato hornworms.
3. Oregano: Aphids, spider mites, and leafhoppers are scared away by the smell of this herb. When you put oregano near eggplants, these pests stay away.
4. Mint: Aphids and flea bugs don’t like the smell of mint, so it keeps them away. If you don’t want mint to spread all over your yard, you could plant it in pots.
5. Chives: Chives keep bugs and other pests away while giving your eggplants a better taste. Both in the yard and in the kitchen, they are great friends.
The Best Vegetables to Eat with Eggplants
Some veggies can be great companions for eggplants because they keep pests away, improve the soil, or provide physical support.
Peas: Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, which gives eggplants what they need to grow. Because they grow in different ways, they use less room in your garden.
Beans: Like peas, beans fix nitrogen in the soil and keep Colorado potato beetles away, which are a popular pest for eggplants.
Spinach: Spinach has short roots and likes it cooler, which makes it a great plant to grow with eggplants. It covers the ground, which helps keep the ground cool and wet.
Peppers: Eggplants and peppers are both members of the nightshade family, so they need the same things to grow. Planting them together makes the best use of room and resources.
Onions: Onions deter different Pests like aphids, bugs, and slugs can be a problem. When you put onions near eggplants, these pests stay away.
Plants You Shouldn’t Put near Eggplants
Some plants are good to grow with others, but others should be avoided because they compete for resources, bring pests, or slow the growth of eggplant.
1. Fennel: Fennel gives off chemicals that stop nearby plants from growing, including eggplants. Fennel shouldn’t be near your eggplant patch.
2. Geraniums: Geraniums can keep away some pests, but they can also bring in Japanese beetles, which eat eggplants. Keep your geraniums away from your eggplants so that these pests won’t be drawn to them.
3. Pumpkins: Pumpkins have long vines that compete for room with eggplants. They also have the same pest problems, which could spread to bigger areas.
4. Corn: Corn is a good place to find corn earworms, which can also eat eggplants. To avoid attracting these pests, corn and eggplant should be kept apart.
5. Melons: Melons have long vines that are similar to eggplants and compete for room. They also attract the same pests. It’s not a good idea to put eggplants and melons together.
Conclusion
Companion growing is a great way to get more eggplants from your garden. By picking the right plants to grow next to each other, you can keep pests away, improve the soil, and get the most out of your garden space. So why not just try it? With these tips, you should be able to get a lot of eggplant from your garden.
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