What is Good to Plant After Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a favorite of many gardeners, but what should be planted after them? This is an important question to consider as planting the right crops after tomatoes can help improve the overall health of your garden and soil. Here are a few options to consider:

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens, like lettuce and spinach, are a great option to plant after tomatoes. They will help replenish the nitrogen in the soil that the tomatoes may have depleted, as well as add organic matter. These crops also have shallow roots, which means they won't compete with deeper-rooted plants like tomatoes. Plus, they are fast-growing and can be harvested multiple times throughout the season.

Beans

Beans, like green beans and snap peas, are also a good option to plant after tomatoes. They are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria that allows them to absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for themselves and other plants. This can help improve the overall health of your soil for future crops. Beans also have shallow roots and can be harvested throughout the season.

Brassicaceae Family

Plants in the Brassicaceae family, like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, are also good to plant after tomatoes. These crops have deep roots, which means they won't compete with shallow-rooted plants like tomatoes. They also have a different set of nutrients that they use from the soil, which can help replenish any nutrients that tomatoes may have depleted. However, it's important to note that these crops may attract similar pests that tomatoes attract, like aphids and caterpillars.

Herbs

Herbs, like basil and cilantro, are another good option to plant after tomatoes. They are fast-growing and can be used in a variety of dishes. Plus, their strong scent can help deter pests that may have been attracted to the tomatoes. Herbs also have shallow roots and won't compete with deeper-rooted plants.

When deciding what to plant after tomatoes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Consider the needs of your soil, what nutrients may have been depleted by the tomatoes, and what pests may have been attracted to them. Planting a variety of crops, like leafy greens, beans, Brassicaceae family plants, and herbs, can help improve the overall health of your garden and soil.