Watermelons are good neighbors for many other crops, which makes them one of the friendliest companion plants in the garden. Companion planting is the intentional placement of two plants to aid in each others growth and development, and watermelons
Even though theyre generally agreeable, there are still a few considerations when selecting where to plant watermelons, and which plants to put next to them. Some companion plants for watermelons can reduce pest infestations, like corn, garlic, radishes, broccoli, marigolds, and certain herbs. Lavender and borage can help promote pollination, while pole or bush beans can increase nitrogen in the soil. Its important to avoid planting certain species near watermelons, which can attract pests.
Ready to start your summer garden? These are the best and worst companion plants for watermelon.
Melons are a delicious summertime treat that many gardeners look forward to harvesting. However, growing melons can be tricky due to their sprawling vines, need for lots of space, and pest problems. That’s where companion planting comes in!
Certain plants grown near melons can have beneficial effects, helping to maximize growth, minimize pests, and increase yields. Here are some of the best companion plants for melons.
Companion Planting Basics
Companion planting involves strategically planting different plants together so they can help each other grow. The right companions can:
- Repel pests or attract beneficial insects
- Provide shade and support for vines
- Improve pollination
- Enrich the soil
- Act as trap crops to lure pests away
When choosing companion plants, avoid aggressive plants that will compete for sunlight, nutrients, and water. Also avoid plants in the same plant families as melons that may cross-pollinate.
15 Best Companion Plants for Melons
1. Marigolds
Marigolds deter a wide range of common melon pests like aphids whiteflies, nematodes and beetles. Their bright blooms also attract pollinators. Plant them around the edges of your melon patch.
2. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums lure aphids away from melons. Their edible flowers also attract beneficial insects. Plus, they add a pop of color! Plant them around the perimeter of your melon vines.
3. Radishes
Fast-growing radishes shade emerging melon seedlings They also attract aphids away from melons and help break up compacted soil with their roots before melons need the space
4. Basil
The strong scent of basil drives away thrips, mosquitoes, and other insects that may bother melons. Its flowers also attract pollinators. Plant it around the edges of your melon patch.
5. Borage
Borage attracts bees and other pollinators. It also adds trace minerals to the soil and repels hornworms. Scatter seeds around your melons.
6. Beans
As nitrogen-fixing legumes, beans enrich the soil with nitrogen that melon vines need. Pole bean teepees can also provide support for heavy vines.
7. Corn
Tall corn stalks can act as natural trellises for melon vines. They also provide shelter from wind and create shade to reduce heat stress.
8. Dill
Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs that prey on melon pests. Its feathery foliage provides light shade for vines. Plant it around the edges of your patch.
9. Garlic & Onions
The strong scent of onions and garlic masks the smell of melons, making it harder for pests to find them. Just don’t plant them too close to melon roots.
10. Lettuce & Spinach
Lettuce and spinach provide shade for melon seedlings. Their quick growth also helps suppress weeds. Harvest them before melons need the space.
11. Mint
Mint deters aphids, ants, and other pests. Contain it in pots near (but not touching) melon vines to prevent its aggressive roots from taking over.
12. Oregano
With its shallow roots, oregano won’t compete with melons for water and nutrients. Its dense foliage also provides shade and moisture retention.
13. Petunias
Petunias repel aphids, leafhoppers, and asparagus beetles. Their blooms also attract pollinators to your melon patch. Plant them around the edges.
14. Sunflowers
Sunflowers attract pollinators and pest-eating birds. Their deep roots also help break up soil. Use shorter varieties that won’t shade vines.
15. Nitrogen-fixing cover crops
Grow cover crops like clover and alfalfa in your melon patch the season before planting. They enrich the soil with nitrogen that melons need.
Companion Planting Tips
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Use taller companion plants like corn and sunflowers on the north side of melon vines to avoid shading.
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Space companions 1-2 feet from melons to prevent roots from competing.
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Interplant quick-maturing companions like lettuce and radishes to maximize space.
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Use potted companion plants like mint to contain aggressive spreaders.
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Include flowers to attract pollinators for better fruit set.
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Don’t overcrowd! Leave enough room for good air circulation between plants.
Avoid These Companions
Some plants are bad companions for melons:
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Squash, pumpkins, cucumbers compete for space.
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Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant increase pest pressure.
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Cabbage family plants like broccoli attract same pests.
With the right companion plants, your melons will thrive! Try pairing them with marigolds, nasturtiums, and other beneficial friends for your most productive melon patch ever.
Best Companion Plants for Deterring Pests
Cucumber beetles, both the spotted cucumber beetle and the striped cucumber beetle, feed on watermelons. The striped cucumber beetle can also transmit bacterial wilt, a deadly plant virus.
The two main pests that affect watermelons are aphids and cucumber beetles. Cucumber beetles, both the spotted cucumber beetle and the striped cucumber beetle, feed on watermelons. The striped cucumber beetle can also transmit viruses from plant to plant, including bacterial wilt, a deadly plant virus. This is often more damaging than the insect’s feeding.
There are many different aphid species. The one that attacks watermelon is the melon or cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii). The following watermelon companion plants can deter aphids:
The following watermelon companion plants can deter cucumber beetles:
- Corn
- Broccoli
- Radishes
- Nasturtiums
- Marigolds
- Tansies
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Size and Light Considerations
Watermelon vines can reach 20 feet in length, and, because of their size, they can choke out weeds—but they can also choke out garden plants. The spread is not connected to the size of the fruit—both the small variety Sugar Baby and large one Crimson Sweet have a spread of 10 to 12 feet.
Watermelons require full sun so they should not be planted next to any tall crops that can cast shade on them. Its also important to consider crop rotation for successful watermelon plants.
Growing Watermelon Plant Time Lapse – Seed to Fruit (110 Days)
FAQ
What not to plant with melons?
What pairs well with melons?
- Honey Kiss Melon + Fig & Balsamic.
- Crenshaw Melon + Mozzarella & Basil.
- Asaki Melon + Honey & Fig.
- Hami Melon + Tamarind & Honey.
- Golden Kiss Melon + Blue Cheese & Bacon.
- Gaya Melon + Prosciutto & Basil.
- Orange Flesh Melon + Cilantro & Cucumber.
- Yellow Watermelon + Feta & Mint.
What plants don’t like melons?
- Cucumbers.
- Summer squash/zucchini.
- Pumpkins.
- Winter squash.
What grows well with cantaloupe?
Replying to @sloth9650 Here’s a Quick cantaloupe companion planting layout that will allow you to grow more in your garden space! You can use companions such as marigolds and nastuDill, and borage as flowers as well as dill, basil and cilantro as herbs.
What is a good companion plant for watermelon?
Corn makes a great companion plant for watermelon because it acts like a trellis for watermelon vines. In addition, it can also provide shade during hot summer days. Garlic makes a wonderful companion plant for watermelon as it helps prevent disease and improves the soil quality. The strong odor can also repel pests.
Are melons a good plant?
Melons are one the best plants you can have in your garden. They are a superfood and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. You can
What plants grow well with melon?
Beans – Pole or bush beans planted with melons perform “nitrogen fixing” to enrich the soil. They also provide ground cover. Lettuce – Lettuce germinates quickly to cover soil and prevent early weeds until melon vines spread. Cabbage – Planted on the edge of melon patches, cabbage lures pests like cabbage loopers away from the melons.
What can I plant with a watermelon trellis?
Consider planting a lavender border near your garden plot. Corn makes a great companion plant for watermelon because it acts like a trellis for watermelon vines. In addition, it can also provide shade during hot summer days. Garlic makes a wonderful companion plant for watermelon as it helps prevent disease and improves the soil quality.
How do you plant a melon with a companion plant?
Specific melon varieties have ideal companion plants: A few example companion planting schemes for melons: Border marigolds, zinnias, and nasturtiums around melon rows with basil and borage interspersed between. Trellised pole beans and corn planted on either side of melon rows with lettuce and radish succession planted in rows.
Are wildflowers good for melon plants?
Wildflowers make an excellent addition to the beauty of your garden and the betterment of your melon plants. These plants are also the favorites of many pollinators, which come and help your crops set more fruits. Wildflowers are entirely harmless to your melon crops. So, you can place these flowering plants anywhere close to them.