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Any plants planted side by side influence each other to a greater or lesser extent. It can be both positive and negative, so the choice of “companions” is very important when planning a landing pattern. The development of plants, and ultimately the volume and quality of the crop, depends on how well the neighbors of eggplants in the open field or in the greenhouse are chosen.
Features of choosing neighbors for eggplant
Eggplant is a rather “capricious” plant. This also applies to the choice of neighbors in the garden. The culture is light and moisture-loving, does not tolerate cold drafts and sharp gusts of wind.
Most varieties and hybrids have undersized bushes. Accordingly, neighbors in the garden or in the greenhouse should not “take away” sunlight from them.
When choosing neighbors, it is necessary to exclude “conflicts” and “competition” for water and nutrients in advance
What can be planted next to eggplant
Some eggplant neighbors simply do not interfere with their growth and development. But there are those that will have a positive impact – then you can already count on an increase in the volume of the crop and the quality of the fruits.
Bell pepper
Sweet pepper is the only crop from the same Solanaceae family, with which eggplant “gets along” well both in the open field and in the greenhouse. Both cultures are moisture-, light- and heat-loving, demanding on the nitrogen content in the soil.
An important nuance that needs to be taken into account in the neighborhood of eggplants and bell peppers is that both crops need a sufficient area for food. They are not suitable for “compacted” plantings, the minimum interval between the bushes in the garden is 60 cm. Planting eggplants next to bell peppers in the greenhouse and in the open ground is also impossible because the fruits of the latter “absorb” the taste characteristic of the former and acquire an inky shade.
For eggplants and peppers, the same diseases and pests are typical. In order not to lose most or all of the crop, the plants must be regularly and carefully inspected. Otherwise, some neighbors quickly infect others.
It is impossible to plant eggplants and hot peppers nearby, especially in a greenhouse. Over-pollination is almost inevitable, the fruits acquire an undesirable sharpness.
Eggplant and bell peppers coexist well, being an exception to the rule.
cucumbers
Neighborhood with cucumbers is not very favorable for eggplant, however, in open ground, joint plantings are still acceptable. If you place the bushes on the south side and tie cucumber lashes to a support or trellis, they will turn into a “backstage” that protects the bushes from the cold wind.
Eggplants and cucumbers are not planted in the same greenhouse. The first necessarily requires fresh air, which means regular ventilation. The latter react very negatively to any drafts, in addition, they need high humidity. Such neighbors have very different requirements for watering and top dressing.
After watering, cucumber leaves actively release moisture, which is unacceptable for their neighbors.
Corn
Corn is a pretty good neighbor. It is planted at a certain distance from the garden, so that tall plants do not obscure the undersized ones, but create a barrier to cold drafts.
However, for corn, such a neighbor is not always useful. It can negatively affect the process of its pollination. In addition, eggplants attract pests to corn plantings.
“Kulisa” of corn should cover the eggplant bushes from the north
Peas
Low varieties of peas and beans are very suitable for the same undersized eggplants as neighbors. They do not “compete” either for light, or for water and nutrients, since the root systems are located at different levels of the soil. In addition, the roots of peas and beans saturate the soil with nitrogen, and their neighbor is very demanding on the content of this macroelement in the soil.
Any neighbors from the Legume family significantly improve the quality of the soil
Beetroot
Beets are rather a “neutral” neighbor. Both cultures do not interfere with each other and do not “compete”, but they do not contribute to development either.
It is most convenient to plant eggplant bushes in the center of the garden, “surrounding” them with beet roots along the perimeter
Cabbage
Eggplants get along well in the same garden or in a greenhouse with early-ripening and mid-early varieties and hybrids of white, Beijing and cauliflower. They have a much shorter growing season than their neighbors, so when the heads of cabbage are removed from the garden, eggplants develop and ripen without any problems.
Both cultures are moisture and photophilous. The only thing to consider when planting together is the dimensions of the rosettes of cabbage leaves. If they are sprawling, it will not work to save space in the garden. Accordingly, the expediency of the neighborhood is questionable.
There are no common diseases and pests in crops
Courgettes
Only bush varieties and hybrids of zucchini are suitable as neighbors. Long lashes of other varieties will simply “strangle” the eggplant bushes, and large leaves will create a thick shadow. But even with the right choice of zucchini, there is no question of saving space: the minimum interval between the bushes is 70-80 cm, otherwise the illumination suffers.
Both cultures prefer high temperatures with relatively low humidity. They have the same requirements for feeding and watering, there are no common diseases and pests.
The root system of zucchini is superficial, these neighbors will not take away water and nutrients from eggplants
Haricot beans
Like any legumes, bush beans saturate the soil with nitrogen, so such a neighbor is extremely useful. Both cultures love heat, do not tolerate high humidity. The plants are low, compact enough – they will not create shadows for each other, the neighbors can compact the plantings.
Early ripening beans are removed from the garden much earlier than eggplants.
Salad
Most leafy are good neighbors for eggplants in the open field and in the greenhouse, under the only condition – if you do not thicken the plantings. This greenery is a good solution if there is not much space left in the garden.
In addition, you can choose varieties and hybrids of lettuce that develop quickly and are not afraid of cold weather. Then, when planting in April-May, the crop is harvested no later than the end of June, the whole garden remains at the disposal of the eggplants.
Warmth, which is important for eggplants, regular watering and sufficient nitrogen content in the soil only contribute to the growth of lettuce.
Onions
In this combination, it will be the onion (or garlic) that will be the neighbor, and the eggplant will be the main crop in the garden or in the greenhouse. The first is planted in the intervals between the bushes or along the perimeter of the beds. The root system of the bulbs is superficial; the development of eggplants in the presence of such a neighbor does not suffer in any way. In addition, onions are hardy and able to adapt to a wide range of cultivation conditions.
Phytoncides are emitted by any kind of onion, so the choice of neighbors for eggplant is quite wide
Peppermint
In terms of growth and development, peppermint is a “neutral” neighbor. However, it brings significant benefits, driving away pests from the beds. Its pronounced aroma is unpleasant to many insects. It completely “clogs” the natural smell of eggplant tops, which the Colorado potato beetle is guided by.
Mint in the garden with eggplant – a kind of “disguise” for a neighbor
Thyme
Any spicy greens, including thyme, are one of the best neighbors for eggplant. It effectively drives away many pests from the beds, while attracting pollinating insects. Thyme grows quite slowly, it does not take light, food and water from a neighbor. In addition, this is originally a southern crop, so the optimal growing conditions for eggplant are also suitable for thyme.
The experience of gardeners shows that thyme in the beds with eggplant improves the taste of the fruit.
Basil
Another spicy aromatic culture. In terms of “interaction” with eggplant, it does not differ from thyme. However, it has an additional benefit – basil releases phytoncides that destroy pathogenic microflora and repel spider mites.
Eggplant and basil can be neighbors both in the open field and in the greenhouse
What is better not to plant next to eggplant
In addition to useful, there are also unwanted neighbors. These are crops that, for various reasons, inhibit the growth and development of eggplant, or increase the risk of infection with diseases, pest attacks.
Fennel
Fennel is an extremely unpleasant neighbor for any garden crop. It has a very powerful root system and a large aerial part. In addition, it releases substances into the soil and air that “inhibit” the growth and development of eggplant.
Fennel in an eggplant garden will definitely win the competition for water, nutrients and light from a neighbor
Potatoes
Potatoes and eggplants belong to the Solanaceae family. In such a neighborhood, the risk of crop loss due to common diseases and pests increases dramatically. The requirements for cultivation conditions also differ markedly.
The Colorado potato beetle, which has a special love for potatoes, easily “moves” to eggplants growing nearby
Tomatoes
It is strongly not recommended to plant tomatoes with eggplants nearby. And not only because these two cultures are from the same family and easily “transmit” diseases and pests to each other. They have completely different care needs. For example, eggplants need frequent and abundant watering, and tomatoes categorically do not tolerate “swamps” in the garden.
With increased soil moisture favorable for eggplants, their tomato neighbors quickly develop late blight and root rot.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a very large plant, it has few bush varieties and hybrids. In the garden, she will simply “strangle” low and compact bushes with long lashes, depriving them of the necessary space for development, warmth and light.
The only benefit of pumpkin eggplant is that its prickly lashes and large rough leaves turn into an insurmountable barrier to pests.
Rules for choosing neighbors in the open field
Eggplants and their neighbors in the garden must have similar care requirements and the same criteria that you need to focus on when choosing a landing site:
- good illuminance;
- a substrate that combines fertility with friability (air circulates freely in the soil, water does not stagnate);
- neutral or close to this pH;
- relatively frequent top dressing (twice a month) and watering (as the surface layer of the soil dries out);
- moderate air humidity.
When choosing neighbors, you need to take into account the dimensions of adult plants: they need enough space for food. A suitable planting pattern is also determined in advance so that the plants do not shade each other.
An equally important criterion by which eggplants are selected suitable neighbors for planting in open ground is the growing season. If, in terms of growth and development, one culture is significantly “ahead” of another, this is not a suitable option. Most likely, such neighbors will provide unwanted shading, will take away moisture and nutrients from them.
Suitable and unwanted neighbors have any garden culture
Rules for choosing neighbors in a greenhouse
The possible neighborhood of eggplants with other vegetables and other crops in the greenhouse is even more picky. In a confined space, a specific microclimate is created, which may not be suitable for one of the cultures.
Future neighbors in the greenhouse must match not only all the criteria that you need to focus on when choosing eggplant “companions” in the open field. Also take into account the desired humidity and air temperature. In this regard, eggplants are very demanding, large deviations and differences negatively affect growth and development.
To control indicators of humidity and air temperature, it is recommended to keep the necessary devices in the greenhouse
Conclusion
Suitable neighbors of eggplants in the open field and in the greenhouse are horticultural crops that, at a minimum, do not interfere with their growth and development. The right “companions” can also have a significant positive impact, attracting pollinating insects, protecting against diseases and pests, and improving the quality of the substrate.
