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13 Plants You Should Never Grow Too Close To Tomatoes In The Garden
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) may be a garden favorite, but they are notoriously picky about their neighbors. Making sure plants that are close together benefit each other can make or break your tomato harvest. While there are many companion plants you should grow next to your tomatoes that can enhance growth by deterring pests or improving the surrounding soil, others will compete for nutrients, attract more harmful insects, or even release growth inhibitors. Tomatoes are especially vulnerable to poor companion choices because they are heavy feeders that have specific sunlight and spacing requirements. Their long growing season also makes them susceptible to fungal diseases. This means the wrong neighbors can lead to reduced yield, stunted growth, or a complete failure. Usually, the worst companion plants for tomatoes fall under three categories. They are either nutrient competitors that starve your tomatoes of the essentials they need, pest magnets that attract hungry insects, or plants that release certain chemicals that could suppress the growth of surrounding plants. Other bad matches include common herbs and vegetables that thrive in similar conditions to tomatoes. This creates an underground fight for resources through their root systems. Some plants just need different care schedules that conflict with tomatoes. Learning and understanding why some plants are worse than others is important to help create the best possible conditions for your delicious tomatoes. Read more: Plants You Shouldn't Grow Right Next To Your House Corn (Zea mays) and tomatoes make horrible garden neighbors for quite a few reasons. Both are heavy feeders that will fight over your soil's nitrogen and other nutrients. This often leaves both plants undernourished and begging for food. They also share a common pest, the corn earworm, which can quickly become a tomato fruitworm. Corn also grows in tall stalks, which creates excessive shade that could block tomato plants from getting the full amount of sun they need. Both plants also require different watering patterns. Corn prefers constant moisture, while tomatoes do much better with deep, but infrequent, watering. As fellow nightshades, potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and tomatoes share numerous diseases, including early and late blight. Pllanting them close together only helps these fungal pathogens to spread between crops. They both have similar nutrient needs, which will have the two plants fighting over the potassium and phosphorus in your soil. The expansive root systems of both plants will also have them competing for underground space. The way they both grow can create problems as well. Potato leaves can shade tomatoes, and the tomato cages can interfere with hilling potatoes. There are several reasons to think twice before planting fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in your garden. It is especially bad as a tomato companion due to its strong allelopathic properties. The plant will release chemicals that can ruin the growth of nearby plants. Even when planted several feet away, fennel's tall foliage can cast unwanted shade on your sun-loving tomatoes. The taproot also digs deep, competing for water and nutrients in the same soil layers as the tomato's roots. It's best to plant fennel in a separate garden or container. If they must share the same bed, make sure to maintain at least four to six feet between them and monitor your tomatoes closely. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and other brassicas will create multiple problems when planted near tomatoes. These heavy feeders compete aggressively for nutrients, particularly calcium. Their dense foliage can block air circulation, which helps prevent tomato fungal diseases. Brassicas can attract cabbage loopers and other pests that may quickly spread to tomatoes. The plants also have very different pH preferences. Brassicas thrive in more alkaline soil, while tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil. If you're rotating crops, you'll want to avoid following any brassicas with tomatoes since both deplete similar nutrients in the soil. While young, dill (Anethum graveolens) can help tomatoes by attracting beneficial insects, but mature dill becomes problematic quickly. As the dill flower goes to seed, it releases a compound that can inhibit tomato growth. The tall umbrella-shaped flower heads can shade tomato plants, and the dill's extensive root system will compete for nutrients in the soil. Dill also attracts tomato hornworms, one of the pests you'll want to avoid. For companion planting benefits without any drawbacks, harvest dill before it flowers or plant it at least three feet away. You can also alternate plantings so that your dill matures before tomato plants need the space. Another nightshade cousin, eggplant (Solanum melongena), shares all the disease risks of tomatoes. Verticillium wilt and other soil-borne pathogens can easily spread between these two plants. They also attract the same pests, including flea beetles, hornworms, and whiteflies. The plants' similar growing patterns can quickly create space issues, reducing the air circulation required to combat fungal diseases. Eggplant's broad leaves can shade tomato plants, and both of them will fight over calcium and magnesium in your soil. If you still want to use them in the same bed, try planting basil or marigolds to separate the two plants and help deter common pests. Tomatoes planted near apricot (Prunus armeniaca) trees often struggle due to many elements. Apricot roots release substances that inhibit tomato growth, causing stunted plants and low yields. The tree's expansive root system also competes aggressively for water and nutrients. Additionally, apricot trees create excessive shade as they mature, depriving tomatoes of sunlight. Fungal diseases like verticillium wilt can spread easily from apricots to tomatoes. If you must grow both, consider planting your tomatoes in containers to avoid root competition. While rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) does a great job of deterring pests for many vegetables, it can cause problems for tomatoes when planted too close. This herb prefers dry soil conditions, which is the complete opposite of a tomato's need for consistent moisture. Since tomatoes are such heavy feeders compared to rosemary, they may deplete the nutrients in the soil. This competition can quickly lead to your rosemary dying out before it has the chance to mature. The best bet would be to grow rosemary in a container or separate herb garden nearby to get the pest control benefits without any negatives. Planting tomatoes and peppers together in your garden could be a big mistake. As fellow nightshades, peppers (Capsicum annuum) and tomatoes share a lot of the same diseases, including bacterial spots and verticillium wilt. Planting them close together allows pathogens to easily spread between the two. They also attract the same type of pests like aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms. The plants have different ideal soil conditions; peppers prefer warmer temperatures than tomatoes do. Their similar nutrient needs also have them competing for precious food, and can reduce the yield in both. This less common brassica creates multiple problems when planted next to tomato plants. Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea) has a rapid bulb formation that requires a lot of nutrients and will quickly starve tomatoes of the essential food they need. The big stem base and large leaves cover a lot of soil, which can create damp conditions that help tomato fungal diseases thrive. Kohlrabi also attracts flea beetles and cabbage worms that could easily spread to tomatoes. The plant's growth rates could also pose a problem. Kohlrabi matures quickly while tomatoes need more space later in the season. These beautiful plants make horrible tomato neighbors despite their pest-repelling reputation. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)have an extensive root system that competes for nutrients and releases growth-inhibiting chemicals that nightshades can't stand. Their height also creates excessive shade that can reduce tomato yields and promote fungal issues from a lack of air circulation. Sunflowers also attract birds that will quickly go for your tomato plants as an easy food source. If you do want both plants, try to maintain a good distance between them and consider shorter varieties that will create less shade. Often planted together, cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) and tomatoes actually compete in ways that reduce the yield of both plants. They share similar fungal diseases that will spread easily between plants. Cucumber vines can also overwhelm tomato cages quickly, while tomato plants may shade cucumbers too much. Both are heavy feeders that deplete nutrients when planted close together. Both plants need different watering schedules as well. Cucumbers prefer constant moisture, while tomatoes need deep, but infrequent watering. For the best results, try planting them at opposite ends of your vegetable garden and use trellises to keep cucumber vines at bay. There are a lot of gardening myths about walnut trees destroying other plants, and a lot of what is said is true. Walnut trees, especially the black walnut (Juglans nigra), produce juglone toxin. This chemical will stay in the soil for years after the tree removal and causes wilting, yellowing, and eventual death in sensitive plants like tomatoes. The toxin can affect the water on a cellular level, essentially starving the plants around it. Even at distances of 50 feet or more, tomatoes still show poor yield and stunted growth. If you already have a walnut tree on your property, consider using containers or a raised garden bed with fresh soil for your tomatoes. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
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Mass Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for July 3, 2025
The Massachusetts Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here's a look at July 3, 2025, results for each game: 12-29-30-42-45, Lucky Ball: 18 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Midday: 4-1-1-1 Evening: 4-7-6-0 Check The Numbers Game payouts and previous drawings here. 09-23-29-31-34 Check MassCash payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays Lucky For Life: 10:38 p.m. ET daily The Numbers Game: 2 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET daily MassCash: 9 p.m. ET daily Megabucks: 9 p.m. ET on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer. Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Massachusetts editor. You can send feedback using this form. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Mass Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for July 3, 2025
