Cantaloupes are a summertime favorite, known for their sweet flavor. Though they are not difficult to grow, it needs to be ensured that they receive sufficient sunlight, nutrients, and space. So, if you are searching for companion plants to grow with cantaloupe, remember not to plant it with potatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, or watermelons. However, other plants, such as cilantro, beans, marigolds, lettuce, garlic, etc., are the best companions for cantaloupes. They repel harmful pests and provide enough nutrients to the cantaloupe to grow and thrive.
To help you make an informed decision, this blog discusses the plants that you must avoid growing with cantaloupes.
What Are the Planting Requirements for Cantaloupes?
Cantaloupes are a warm-season crop and should be planted when the weather is not too cold. This fruit needs a long time to grow, so many gardeners start with a melon transplant indoors, 3-4 weeks before the expected outdoor planting date.
To plant indoors, sow 3-4 seeds in each container, and once they sprout, sort out 2 of the best and strongest seedlings. Move them out and place them in a shaded area. When they develop 1 or 2 true leaves to adjust to the outside temperature, transplant them. Slowly increase their exposure to sunlight to reduce the transplant shock.
Cantaloupes should be planted in well-fertilized and well-drained soil, with a pH of 5.5-7.0. It requires at least 6 hours of bright sunlight every day. However, if the soil in your garden is poorly drained, you can add compost or well-rotted manure to it. Also, when planting, ensure to keep a space of 1.5 to 2 feet between each seedling and 5-6 feet between the rows.
4 Plants That Should Never Be Planted With Cantaloupes
Not all plants benefit cantaloupes in their growth. Instead, it can hurt them and limit their growth. Here are some plants that do not belong with your cantaloupe -
Watermelon
Watermelon does not pair well with cantaloupes, as both are vining plants and need plenty of room to grow. If planted side by side, they may crowd each other and compete for nutrients and light. Thus, leading to limited growth, as they won’t be able to get enough nutrients and sunlight.
Also, as they belong to the same family, they may attract the same insects, such as squash bugs and pickleworms. These pests can cause severe infestations and crop damage. Many gardeners plant them together, thinking they’ll cross-pollinate. But the chances are highly unlikely.
Eggplant
Cantaloupe, which is a heavy feeder, does not do well with eggplant, which is also a heavy feeder. This is because they compete with each other for nutrients, which may lead to their struggle and eventually dying. Eggplants have moderately deep roots and prefer slightly moist soil. On the other hand, cantaloupes have shallow roots and thrive in evenly moist soil.
They also attract the same pests as cantaloupe, mainly aphids, wireworms, and flea beetles. Planting them near each other makes it easier for the pests to spread. So, it is better to incorporate companion plants with cantaloupe that can fend off these pests.
Cucumber
Growing cucumber and cantaloupe together is not a good idea, as both grow on vines. Both plants need enough space and might compete for the available space to grow. This may result in overcrowding, suffocation, and stunted growth.
Cucumbers and cantaloupes will also struggle to retain the natural resources, such as sunlight, water, and nutrients. Also, like watermelon, cucumber also falls in the same cucurbit family, which attracts the same pests - squash bugs and pickleworms. Out of these, pickleworms are the worst enemy, as they hide inside crops and damage them.
Potato
Potatoes are heavy feeders, and when planted with cantaloupe, they can draw a large amount of nutrients from the soil, which can leave the cantaloupe malnourished. In addition to competing for nutrients, potatoes are prone to diseases like blight, which can spread to cantaloupe plants.
Another major concern is space. This is because potatoes grow underground and require a lot of space for their roots to expand. It can disrupt the root system of cantaloupes and limit their ability to grow properly and affecting overall plant health.
What Are the Best Companions for Cantaloupes?
Companion plants are sometimes referred to as companion gardening, which helps each other grow. Here are some of the best companion plants for cantaloupes -
Basil
The aroma of the basil can deter pests, like thrips, which can stunt the growth of the cantaloupe and cause discoloration. Basil can grow quite tall because of its fast-growing nature. However, if it is maintained and pruned regularly, it won’t be an issue for the cantaloupes growing next to it.
Basil has a shallow root, which does not compete with cantaloupe. But if you have any doubt, plant them in a container and place them next to the melon patch.
Beans
Beans are known to fix nitrogen in the soil. As cantaloupes are heavy feeder plants, they can greatly benefit from having beans in the area. While they’re growing, beans take nitrogen from the air and store it in their roots. After the beans die and are cut at the soil level, their roots break down and release the stored nitrogen into the soil. This provides ample nutrients to the cantaloupe plants.
You can consider planting pole and bush beans with cantaloupes in alternate rows. For pole beans, use trellises or cattle panels to guide them to grow upward, as cantaloupes will be spreading on the ground.
| Some Tips | Cut the old plants at the soil level when rotating bean plants. Leaving their roots in the ground can enrich the soil and feed your cantaloupes. |
Cilantro
Cilantro is a cool-season plant and does not handle heat well. But it still can be grown in a container or shaded region near the cantaloupes to reap maximum advantages. It attracts helpful insects like bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, along with some natural predators, such as lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps.
Additionally, it helps repel harmful bugs such as beetles, spider mites, and aphids, to help cantaloupes grow without any harm.
Herbs
Herbs like oregano, mint, and tansy make the best companion plants for cantaloupe, as their fragrance helps repel pests that attack the melon and damage it. Also, you can consider planting mint with cantaloupe, as it helps deter whiteflies that are considered the worst pest for cucurbit plants.
Several herbs grow in a compact manner, which doesn’t shade the cantaloupe vines during the growing season.
Marigolds
Marigold is another excellent companion plant for cantaloupes. They have a pungent odor that repels pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles. Also, the beautiful orangish color of marigolds makes them a charming addition to the garden.
However, it must be noted that marigolds should never be planted in the same garden bed or container. Consider planting them in a container next to the melon patch, or along the edge of the garden bed.
Carrots
Carrots, being root vegetables, help loosen the soil, which is considered helpful before planting cantaloupe seeds. Carrots break up the soil and make it easier for cantaloupes to take root and grow. Also, the timing works well because by the time you plan to plant cantaloupes, carrots are usually ready to harvest.
Tips for Companion Planting for Cantaloupes
When growing companion plants, there are some considerations and planning to be made. Here are some essential tips to follow -
Spacing and Timing
When planting cantaloupes with companion plants, give enough room for both to grow without overcrowding. Also, be sure to plant them at the right time, as some companion plants need to go in earlier or later, depending on their growth cycles.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Ensure to check the plants regularly. This is because some companion plants may grow too aggressively or might attract pests that are harmful to cantaloupes. Depending on the situation, you may need to make changes to the setup.
Observation and Adjustments
Observe the garden to see if the companion plants are growing well, or if they are affecting the growth of the cantaloupes. If so, consider changing the plant and replacing it with other better options.
Conclusion
It’s not very hard to grow cantaloupes, as they need only three things to grow - sufficient sunlight, water, and proper nutrients. Also, they don’t need to be grown in seclusion. Though some plants are not suitable for them, there are other options you can incorporate. Gardening requires good research to make sure the plant you are incorporating with the cantaloupe will help it grow, not weaken.
