In a mixed culture, different plants are grown together and complement each other. It looks nice together with herbs and you can actually incorporate unused space near the ground into your garden design. But is basil a good planting partner for cucumbers?
Are cucumbers and basil suitable for mixed cultivation?
Cucumbers and basil arevery suitable for a mixed culture and are almost perfect neighbors in the vegetable garden.
Why can you plant cucumbers and basil together?
Mixed culture is recommended because both plants have very similardemands on both theirlocationand thesoil. Cucumbers and basil, which are now available in many different varieties, prefer a warm and wind-protected place in the bed and, as heavy feeders, need nutrient-rich, loose and sufficiently permeable soil. This means that the free space under the cucumbers can be used very well for the basil plants.
What are the advantages of planting together?
Planting together has the advantage that the basil, as a good neighbor in the vegetable patch, can protect the cucumbersfrom pest infestation- whiteflies and cabbage white butterflies in particular are worth mentioning here. Basil can also reliably protect cucumbers from mildew.
Another advantage is that basil attracts pollinating insects due to its aromatic scent due to the essential oils it contains. This supportspollination of cucumbers.
How should mixed culture be maintained?
Pay attention to the following things when caring for it:
- Thecorrect watering behavior means that basil is always watered from below - this way its leaves do not get wet and the cucumbers are also protected from splashing water and any resulting illnesses.
- The soil must notdry out too much, but waterlogging should also be avoided. When growing together in a pot, a drainage layer should definitely be created.
- Aregular fertilization with organic liquid fertilizer at least during the growing season is definitely recommended.
Is the mixed culture also suitable for the greenhouse?
The mixed culture of cucumbers and basil is alsosuitable for the greenhouseSince both plants like it nice and warm, care must be taken to achieve the appropriate temperatures of ideally at least 15 °C even in winter - then, with a bit of luck, you can harvest all year round.
What else goes well with cucumbers and basil?
For more variety in the garden, the bed created around the cucumbers can alsobe grown together with other vegetablessuch as beans, fennel, zucchini or celery. Beetroot also goes well with it. SuitableHerbs as additional neighbors include oregano, rosemary, savory and parsley.
Tip
If it can be a little more colorful
Do you love color in all areas of the garden and also in the herb bed? Then plant the colorful, bright orange marigold together with basil and cucumbers. As an all-rounder, it goes well with almost all types of vegetables and also salads.
