Beans are low-eaters, whereas tomatoes are high-eaters. Does this have a positive or negative effect on the two types of vegetables as plant neighbors? Find out below whether you can plant tomatoes and beans together.
Can you plant beans and tomatoes together?
Beans and tomatoes can be planted together as neighbors because they complement each other with nutrients and have similar location requirements. Make sure there is sufficient planting distance and suitable other plants in the bed.
What tomatoes need
Tomatoes are heavy eaters, which means they need a lot of nutrients. Among other things, you need a lot of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium. In addition, the plants should be neither too wet nor too dry and need plenty of sun.
What beans need
Beans are low-eaters, which means they only require a few nutrients. This is, among other things, because they bind nitrogen in their root nodules and supply it to themselves and other plants in their vicinity. Beans also need enough water, but without having to endure waterlogging and they need a lot of sun.
Do beans and tomatoes go together?
You may have already guessed: beans and tomatoes complement each other perfectly! The nitrogen in the nodules of the beans benefits the tomatoes. In addition, the two plants have the same location requirements. However, there are a few things to consider with this mixed culture!
Planting beans and tomatoes together correctly
So that beans and tomatoes get along well, you should pay attention to the following:
- The plants should not steal the sun from each other. Make sure that you maintain sufficient planting distance and place the larger plant behind the smaller one (for climbing beans, the beans behind the tomatoes, for smaller bush beans, in front of or between the tomatoes).
- Don't overdo the beans! Tomatoes are nutrient hungry and need fertilizer. However, in addition to beans, they require less fertilizer, which is why you should reduce the portions.
- If you want to add more plants to the bed, they should go well with both tomatoes and beans. Beans get along well with cucumbers and potatoes, but tomatoes don't! Tomatoes like onions, but French beans don't.
- Cover the bed around the roots with mulch! How to retain moisture in the soil and reduce weed growth.
More plant neighbors for bush beans
Beans not only get along well with tomatoes, but also with the following plants:
- Savory
- Strawberries
- Dill
- Cucumbers
- cabbage
- Salad types
More plant neighbors for tomatoes
- Strawberries
- cabbage
- garlic
- parsley
- Marigolds
- Spinach
Tip
The ideal planting partners also vary depending on the type of bean. Here you will find the best planting neighbors for bush beans and here for pole beans.