Companion plants for Watermelon need to be considered carefully to maximize the plant’s yield. The type of plants you choose to grow with Watermelons in your vegetable garden can greatly impact the overall fruit yield.
There are several Watermelon Companion plant options to grow in gardens. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Contents
List of Companion Plants for Watermelon
1. Garlic
Garlic, scientifically called Allium Sativum, is a perennial plant indigenous to several parts of Asia.
– Advantages
One major reason it is suitable for companion planting is the ability of the plant to repel pests like rodents and Aphids.
The pungent scent of garlic repels these common pests. Aphids are a group of pests that attack Watermelons. Many species of aphids cause damage by feeding on the plants and sometimes spread viruses throughout the garden.
The culprit specie that feeds on Watermelon is known as the Melon aphid. Planting Watermelon with Garlic can help to deter or distract these annoying pests.
– Planting Season
Garlic can be grown most successfully between fall and spring. Planting them in the fall ensures their roots are well-established before winter. During winter, they become dormant and stop growing; however, by early spring, they develop more. Provided there are no hiccups along the way; the bulbs can be harvested all summer up until late fall.
– Growth Requirements
Garlic is easy to cultivate, and the fresh kind is usually flavorful and delicious. The bulbs are best grown in moist, well-draining soils with an ideal pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
They do well when fully exposed to direct sunlight, and thankfully they don’t shade Watermelon plants that require the same. Remember that they need very little care or maintenance processes.
2. Radish
Next on the list of Watermelon Companion plants is the famous radish. Radishes are fast-growing plants. Although thy are known as radishes, but their scientific name is Raphanus Raphanisturm.
– Features
There are several varieties of Radish vegetables, each with different sizes, flavors, and colors. They can be ready to harvest as early as a month after planting.
– Advantages
Very few pests attack radishes. For this reason, they are excellent companion plants to have in gardens. They are especially useful in Watermelon Companion planting because they deter Cucumber beetles, which are natural Watermelon enemies.
These pests eat through Watermelons, and some species spread nasty viruses among the plants. Additionally, Radishes are splendid weed suppressors. In addition, they stifle the growth of weeds and other unwanted plants by providing ample ground cover.
– Planting Season
Radishes have two growing seasons. They can be planted early during spring and much later in fall. The roots can be ready to harvest within three weeks of planting. Basically, as fast-growing vegetables, they can be produced and harvested several times in one season.
– Growth Requirements
Radishes are full sun plants. They thrive and perform well in full sun conditions. While they can also survive a little shade, too much shade can cause them to grow bigger foliage instead of bigger roots. Note that the cool-season crops like radishes do not thrive well in dry areas, so these vegetables require a very moist yet well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.
3. Marigold
Marigold, also known as Tagetes, is a flowering plant indigenous to most areas of the Americas. It is a great companion plant for Watermelon.
– Features
The plants produce various brightly colored flowers that add to a garden’s beauty. Their capacity to bloom vividly all summer certainly contributes to their appeal.
There are about 50 species of Marigold, with varying colors, sizes, and growth patterns. The most common ones usually produce flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and sometimes red. The bright flowers of the Marigold plant are one of the reasons they’re fantastic sugar baby Watermelon Companion plants.
– Advantages
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds are attracted to the brightly colored blooms and scents produced by Marigolds. For this reason, they are one of the most amazing flowers to plant with Watermelon. By planting them as companion plants, the attracted bees will visit the other plants in the garden.
– Planting Season
It’s best to plant marigolds between March and June, and after the snow has passed, as the ground or the soil is easily workable. In doing this, you can have pretty marigold blooms all summer.
– Growth Requirements
Marigolds need direct sunlight, as well as well-drained, fertile soils. They are hardy plants and require very little water to grow. They grow in hardiness zones two to 11 and require a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
4. Bush Beans
Beans are versatile plants that can be grown as vegetables or a good source of protein. There are two types; bush beans and pole beans.
– Advantage
You can grow Watermelon with either of them as companions. On the other hand, this bush beans are the preferable option as they don’t take up a lot of space and grow upright without the assistance of poles.
These beans require the support of poles and sometimes cast shades because of how tall they grow.
One important thing about beans that makes them suitable companion plants for Watermelon is their ability to improve the Nitrogen levels of the soil. They do this with the aid of Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, providing enough nutrients for Watermelons and themselves.
– Growing Seasons
Bush beans can be grown in different seasons depending on the climate. In colder regions, they are best planted in April, and in warmer climates, they are best planted in June. They prefer warm soil temperatures, as cooler temperatures can cause the seed to rot.
– Growth Requirements
Bush beans tolerant grow well in full sun conditions. In addition, they can adapt to almost any soil type as long as it is well-draining and has a suitable pH.
Note that the ideal soil pH for beans growth is between 6.0 to 6.8. You can adjust the pH level of your soil with lime if it is too acidic.
5. Oregano
Oregano, or origanum vulgare, is used as a herb in many cultures around the world. It has a powerful scent and is added to various food recipes to improve taste and flavor. It is regarded as a staple in most gardens.
– Pros
Oregano plants are suitable Watermelon Companion herbs. Their strong scents conceal and ward off harmful pests from Watermelons. In addition, they attract important pollinators to themselves and, in turn to other plants around them. This is good for Watermelon plants, as they require pollination to produce their sweet fruits.
– Cons
It is very prominent to note that they are harmful to pets and should be planted out of their reach, as it would intoxicate them.
– Growing Seasons
Oregano can be planted anytime during spring, these herbs are fast-growing, and you can have fresh fragrant leaves in no time. They can act as cover crops since they grow close to the ground. Oregano can grow up to about two feet tall.
– Growth Requirements
Oregano is a perennial herb that loves full sunlight. It thrives in well-drained soils with acidic to neutral pH. Oregano does well in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 10.
6. Maize
Maize is also known as corn or zea mayz, is a cereal crop. It is grown worldwide wide as a staple food and used to produce feed for animals as well as other products.
– Advantages
Corn is a good companion plant for Watermelon. They grow tall enough to provide slight shade for Watermelon plants at midday, when the sun is hottest.
Also, watermelon seed benefits from planting them with cereal crops like corn. Both crops suffer from different pests and diseases, so when they are grown together, they aid one another in avoiding these pesky pests. Additionally, Watermelon Intercropping with corn in arid regions reduces the risk of total crop loss due to drought.
– Cons
Note that watermelons love full-sun environments. However, the sun can sometimes get too hot for them, causing them to burn and die due to excessive heat. Intercropping Watermelon with corn is great; however, you must be careful not to let your Watermelon plants become overshadowed.
– Growing Seasons
For a maximum yield of grains, it’s best to start planting corn at the beginning of April. Planting can go on till May and at the latest till early June.
– Growth Requirements
Corn is usually best cultivated in warm, sunny climates. They do not do well in colder weather, so they are best planted during spring, which is after the threat of frost has passed. They require rich, moist soils with a pH between 5.8 and 6.8. Also, their preferable soil type is rich loamy soils with proper drainage.
7. Nasturtiums
Nasturtium, or Tropaeolum, is a perennial plant that produces brightly colored flowers and shield-shaped foliage. The flowers are edible and are frequently used as a garnish. There are several varieties of the plant, all of which are indigenous to central and south America.
– Benefits
These attractive plants can be used as groundcovers in vegetable gardens. They are also very beneficial trap crops for companion planting because they keep aphids, squash bugs, and other garden pests away from vegetables. In addition, they have a sweet scent that attracts valuable pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden.
– Growing Season
Nasturtiums are best planted between March and May, especially when the ground has become warm. They can be grown indoors before springtime, to protect it from frost in the winter.
– Growth Requirements
Nasturtium will thrive even in the most terrible soil conditions. They don’t usually require a lot of care or maintenance. The soil’s nutrients are enough to grow these plants to maturity. Remember that adding fertilizers to the soil will promote the growth of more leaves than blooms, especially in spring time.
However, to receive optimum results, you should grow Nasturtium in well-draining soils under full sunlight.
8. Lettuce
Lettuce is a hardy annual vegetable, mostly grown for its leaves and sometimes its stem and seeds. As a cool-weather crop that grows quickly, lettuce is one of the most remarkable great companion plant for many crops.
– Benefits
It can serve as a weed deterrent and provide some much-needed shade for Watermelon plants during the hottest time of the day, which is an excellent choice for a companion as it will protect the rest.
– Growing Seasons
Lettuce is a fast-growing vegetable. These vegetables can be planted anytime between spring and fall. Most varieties develop and can be harvested in about 30 days. Which basically means that your lettuce can be made into a delicious salad in as little as 30 days from planting.
– Growth Requirements
Lettuce is best grown under cool conditions. They don’t mind a little frost. The ideal soil pH for growing lettuce should be between 6.2 and 6.8. Since lettuce seeds are tiny, it is preferable to scatter them over fine soil before lightly covering them up.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a home or commercial Watermelon gardener, companion planting can help boost your overall yield. There are several suitable plants for this, and some of them have been listed in this article.
All you must do is select the one that works best for you. During your selection, note that:
- Sunlight and space are important conditions to take into consideration.
- Plants in the Cucurbita family are bad companion plants for Watermelon.
- Any plant that can deter pests and attract pollinators might be suitable for companion planting.
- Most companion plants repel pests, attract pollinators or promote Nitrogen fixation in the soil. Some can do all three.
There’s no clear-cut rule for what to plant as companions for Watermelon plants. However, there are helpful guidelines to determine which plants are best paired with them.
References
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/files/2011/10/radish.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiv1PjLmPn6AhVYXvEDHbCgAuQQFnoECAcQBg&usg=AOvVaw1E5BBqlD-QfxhZuaACVvCs
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/experimental-agriculture/article/abs/watermelon-intercropped-with-cereals-under-semiarid-conditions-an-onfarm-study/F69C55808A75252597B7CDCB83F0A5F6
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