Aubergines, like tomatoes, are nightshade plants. The vegetable plant, also known as eggplant, is not easy to cultivate in Germany. Find out here which plants the eggplant gets along well with in the bed and which should not be in the immediate vicinity.
What are good neighbors for eggplants and what are not?
Eggplant plants are heavy feeders and are best placed next to weak feeders such asLamb lettuce, peas, beans or radishesThey are also nightshade plants and should under no circumstances be grown next to other nightshade plants such as tomatoes, peppers or potatoes. Otherwise, diseases can spread more quickly.
Which plants are good bed neighbors for eggplants?
Aubergines (Solanum melongena) come from the subtropical areas of India, so they love a warm and moist place in a sunny location. When choosing a location, also pay attention to the immediate plants in the area. Eggplants are heavy eaters and require a lot of nutrients. The best bed neighbors are thereforeweak eaters, who do not rob the eggplants of any important nutrients from their catchment area:
- Salads (e.g. lamb's lettuce)
- May turnips
- Bush beans
- Radish
- Jerusalem Jerusalem artichoke
A mixed culture with good bed neighbors saves space, especially in small beds outdoors, in a greenhouse or in raised beds.
Which plants should never be in the bed next to eggplants?
Never plant eggplants near other nightshades. These are susceptible to similar diseases. If you stand too close, the pathogens have an easy time of it and spread rapidly. Other nightshade plants are for example:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Potatoes
Especiallyrampant plants should also not be placed next to eggplants. They rob them of space and nutrients, preventing the eggplant plants from growing. These include, for example:
- Pumpkin
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Raspberries
- Sunflowers
Why is a mixed culture with good neighbors good for eggplants?
He althy plants and a rich harvest without pesticides and a lot of effort - that sounds like a dream for hobby gardeners. Although mixed culture does not offer the solution to all gardening problems, it can simplify organic cultivation. By planting different types of plants that have different growth forms and nutrient requirements, thesoil is not depleted and diseases and pests cannot spread as quickly. Good biodiversity attracts numerous insects and beneficial insects, which also protect the plants from pests.
Why are eggplants bad neighbors for other eggplants?
If you only grow eggplant plants outdoors or in a greenhouse, you cannot do without theuse of pesticides and fertilizers. Pests such as the Colorado potato beetle and diseases such as late blight spread quickly in monocultures. The plants also compete with each other for essential nutrients.
Tip
Also pay attention to crop rotation
Because eggplants need so many nutrients for he althy growth and a bountiful harvest, they leach out the soil heavily despite adding fertilizer. You should only plant eggplants outdoors in the same place again after four years. In the meantime, the soil can recover.
