How far away do "non-companion" plants need to be?

Wisp 2/28/2012, 8:18 pm

This is my first year trying out a square foot garden (or really much of any garden except a few patio containers). I'm starting small for a number of reasons... just one 4X4 box and maybe a few extra containers. So I'm working on my plan to fit all my desired plants into those 16 squares.

I was looking through "Carrots love Tomatoes" at the library, and I read that strawberries should not be planted near broccoli. Darn. There goes that plan. But how close is near? Is a square foot between enough space, or should they not even be planted in the same box? I don't suppose the kiddy-corner in my plans is going to work...

littlejo 2/29/2012, 11:17 am

It sort of depends on the plants and the reason not to plant near each other. Ex: Don't plant beans near onions because the beans will taste of onions. Look for the reason, if they just don't like each other, oh well, but if 1 is harmful to the other, then keep them apart, at least a square between.

I suggest maybe putting the strawberry plants in a hanging planter. That would free up room for something else! Jo

Wisp 2/29/2012, 7:44 pm

Yeah, that one thing I wish the book explained; why things should or should not be planted near. It does sometimes but not always.

I think I am going to just move the strawberries out in this case.

Looking online, apparently strawberries stunt the growth of broccoli.

But that's still not too clear. If it's a nutrient thing, would a square between them probably be enough space?

Sponsored content

How far away do "non-companion" plants need to be?

How far away do "non-companion" plants need to be?

Re: How far away do "non-companion" plants need to be?

Re: How far away do "non-companion" plants need to be?

Re: How far away do "non-companion" plants need to be?


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.