What to Plant with Watermelon

Watermelon is a refreshing and delicious fruit, perfect for hot summer days. If you're planning to grow watermelon in your garden, you might be wondering what other plants you can grow alongside it. Growing complementary plants alongside watermelon can have several benefits. They can help repel pests, improve soil health, and even increase yield. Here are some plants that you can plant with watermelon:

Companion Plants for Watermelon

1. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a popular choice for companion planting. These flowers are known to repel pests such as cucumber beetles and squash bugs. They also attract predators like ladybugs and lacewings, which can help keep other pests under control. Plant nasturtiums around the edge of your watermelon patch.

2. Marigolds

Marigolds are another common companion plant. They are well-known for their pest-repelling properties and can help repel nematodes, whiteflies, and some types of beetles. They also attract beneficial insects such as pollinators and hoverflies. Plant marigolds around the perimeter of your watermelon patch.

3. Basil

Basil is an herb that can improve the flavor of watermelon. It contains natural oils that can enhance the fruit's aroma and taste. Additionally, basil is known to repel mosquitoes and flies. Plant basil in between your watermelon plants to help deter pests and add flavor to your harvest.

Plants to Avoid Planting with Watermelon

While there are many plants that can be planted with watermelon, there are a few that should be avoided. These plants can compete with watermelon for resources or attract pests that can damage the crop. Here are some plants to avoid planting with watermelon:

1. Pumpkins

Pumpkins are often grown alongside watermelon, but these two plants should not be planted together. They are both heavy feeders that can compete for nutrients and water. Additionally, they can attract the same pests, like squash bugs and cucumber beetles, that can damage both plants.

2. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are beautiful plants that can attract pollinators to your garden. However, they should not be planted with watermelon. Sunflowers are known to attract birds, which can eat watermelon seeds and damage the fruit. Plus, sunflowers are heavy feeders that can compete with watermelon for nutrients and water.

3. Corn

While corn and watermelon are both popular summer crops, they should not be planted together. Corn is a heavy feeder that can deplete the soil of nutrients, which can affect the growth of watermelon. Additionally, both plants are susceptible to the same pests, like cutworms and armyworms, that can damage the crops.

Conclusion

Growing watermelon is a fun and rewarding experience. By planting complementary plants alongside your watermelon, you can increase yield, repel pests, and improve soil health. Nasturtiums, marigolds, and basil are great options to plant with watermelon. However, it's important to avoid planting pumpkins, sunflowers, and corn, as these plants can compete with watermelon for resources or attract pests that can damage the crop.