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Watermelons are simple to grow but are often plagued by pests and diseases. By choosing the perfect companion plants for watermelons, we can maximize the chances of a successful harvest of delicious, juicy watermelons all summer.
However, pick the wrong companion plants, and your carefully tended watermelons will struggle to thrive, let alone produce any fruits. To keep your watermelon crop on the right track, we’ve picked the 12 best companion plants for your watermelons.
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are the superstars of the companion planting world – there aren’t many plants that don’t benefit from being grown near these glorious flowers! Marigolds are great watermelon companions because they excel at repelling pests like plant-parasitic nematodes, aphids, and beetles. They also attract beneficial pollinators and insects that help to reduce the number of pests on your plants.
To grow these great companions together, plant marigolds around the perimeter of the watermelon patch. Both plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil but need regular water during dry spells.
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2. Radishes
Radishes are the perfect companion plant for watermelons, as well as other fruiting crops such as cucumbers, eggplants, and tomatoes. They act as a trap crop, luring squash bugs and cucumber beetles away from your watermelon plants. And although these bugs will nibble at the leaves of your radish plants, beneath the soil is a delicious root that can be harvested and eaten.
Grow radishes with watermelons by sowing them in rows directly in the soil between watermelon plants. Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested before the watermelon vines spread too much.
3. Corn
The height and dense foliage of corn plants can help alter the climate in which watermelons are grown. When planted on the south side of your watermelon patch, corn will provide shade during the hottest part of the day, ideal for long, hot summers. In cooler climates, plant corn on the north side of your watermelon patch to provide shelter from cold winds.
4. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are often grown as a trap crop, attracting aphids who love to feast on the flowers of this pretty plant. They can also help to reduce squash bug populations and attract beneficial insects to your vegetable plot.
Because nasturtiums have a vining growth habit, they can be planted around the edges of your watermelon plot. As the two plants grow, they intertwine happily, creating a colorful jungle of leaves, flowers, and ripening watermelon fruits.
5. Beans
Beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, producing vigorous watermelon growth and large, juicy fruits. They can also provide shade or shelter from the wind.
6. Lettuce
Watermelons planted in the spring grow slowly for the first month until soil temperatures warm up. During this period, maximize the use of your garden space by planting lettuces, as this fast-growing salad will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks. This will provide ground cover to suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
7. Basil
Basil repels insects and attracts pollinators, making it a good companion for watermelons. Plant basil a couple of feet from your watermelons to prevent them from being swamped by mounds of leafy growth.
8. Garlic
The strong scent of garlic deters many pests, including aphids. Plant garlic around the borders of your watermelon plot to create the best defense barrier.
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9. Dill
Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and wasps that prey on harmful pests in the vegetable garden. Grow a border of dill along one side of your watermelon bed to keep harmful insects at bay.
10. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are excellent for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, and they can provide some shade for watermelons in hotter climates.
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11. Onions
Like garlic, the strong scent of onions will help deter aphids and other pests. Plant rows of onion around the borders of your watermelon plot to create an aromatic defense barrier.
12. Peas
Peas are excellent companion plants for watermelon because they enrich the soil with nitrogen, promoting vigorous growth and producing large, juicy fruits. Additionally, peas can provide shade and shelter from the wind, enhancing the watermelon’s growing conditions.
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