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Watermelons are easy to grow but often troubled by pests and diseases. Selecting the right companion plants can significantly increase your chances of a bountiful harvest of juicy watermelons all summer long. However, choosing the wrong companions can hinder your watermelons’ growth and fruit production.
To help you avoid this, we’ve compiled a list of the ten worst companion plants for watermelons that should never be grown nearby.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes can compete with watermelons for nutrients and space. Both potatoes and watermelons are greedy feeders, requiring high levels of nutrients to produce a good yield. Planting these crops together means they compete for nutrients and space, and neither will thrive. They are also prone to similar diseases and pests, which can spread between the two plants.
2. Cucumbers
Watermelons belong to the cucurbit family of plants, which also includes cucumbers. These plants are all prone to the same pests and diseases, and growing them together can exacerbate these issues.
3. Cabbage
Brassicas such as cabbage have very different soil and nutrient requirements to watermelons. They also attract pests that can harm watermelon plants.
4. Carrots
Growing carrots and watermelons together would be completely impractical – the large leaves of watermelons would swamp the delicate fronds of the carrots, while the long tap roots of carrots would outcompete watermelons for essential nutrients. In this situation, neither crop would thrive.
5. Tomatoes
Both tomatoes and watermelons are heavy feeders, and the same patch of soil is unlikely to provide all the nutrients that both plants need. They also attract similar pests and diseases, leading to potential cross-infestations.
6. Peppers
Peppers, like tomatoes, are heavy feeders and can compete with watermelons for nutrients. They also attract pests such as aphids and spider mites, which can harm watermelon plants and reduce crop yields.
7. Fennel
The roots of the fennel plant secrete substances that can inhibit the growth of many plants, including watermelons. Avoid growing fennel near any vegetable crop as it can negatively affect the overall health and growth of your plants.
8. Zucchini
Watermelons and zucchini both belong to the cucurbit family. Since they are susceptible to the same pests and diseases, growing them together can worsen these problems.
9. Pumpkins
Planting watermelons and pumpkins close to each other increases the risk of pests and diseases spreading, leading to more severe infestations and infections. Additionally, they compete for the same nutrients and space, which can hinder their growth and reduce overall yield.
10. Squash
Similar to Zucchini, Watermelons and squash belong to the same family of plants. These plants are all prone to the same pests and diseases; growing them together can exacerbate these issues.
11. Broccoli
Broccoli and watermelon have very different soil and nutrient needs. Growing them together may do more harm than good. Additionally, broccoli attracts pests that can harm watermelon plants.
12. Cauliflower
Brassicas, like cauliflower, have different soil and nutrient requirements compared to watermelons. They also attract pests that can harm watermelon plants. To maintain a healthy garden, keep these plants far apart.
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