Encouraging children to eat more fruit can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. Even when fruit is readily available, it’s not always the first thing they reach for, especially when snacks and convenience foods are competing for attention.
One approach that many families find surprisingly effective is growing fruit at home. It doesn’t require a large garden or a big lifestyle change, but it can have a meaningful impact on how children view food, where it comes from, and how willing they are to eat it.
Growing fruit can help turn healthy eating from something we talk about into something children experience for themselves.
Making fruit part of everyday life
When fruit grows in the garden, on a patio, or even in pots by the door, it becomes part of daily life rather than something that appears briefly in the fruit bowl.
Children see it change over time. They notice flowers turning into fruit, fruit ripening, and the moment it is ready to pick. This visibility creates familiarity, and familiarity often leads to acceptance.
Instead of being told that fruit is good for them, children see it as something they helped grow, which makes them far more likely to eat it without resistance.
Ownership changes attitudes to food
One of the most powerful shifts that happens when children grow fruit is the sense of ownership it creates.
When a child has helped water a plant, watched it grow, and waited for fruit to appear, they feel proud of the result. That pride often carries through to eating it.
Children are far more willing to try food they feel connected to. Fruit that they have grown themselves feels special rather than ordinary, and that emotional connection can change long-term attitudes towards healthy choices.
Even children who are usually hesitant about fruit may surprise you when it comes from their own garden.
Encouraging curiosity instead of pressure
Growing fruit encourages curiosity rather than pressure around food.
Instead of asking children to eat something because it’s healthy, you can talk about what is growing, how it tastes, and what it might be used for. This approach removes the power struggle that sometimes surrounds mealtimes.
Children naturally want to taste something they have watched grow. That curiosity is often enough to encourage them to try fruit they might otherwise ignore.
This gentle exposure helps build positive associations with healthy foods, without making them feel like a requirement or a rule.
A wider variety of fruit
Another benefit of growing fruit at home is variety.
Supermarket fruit tends to be limited to what travels well and keeps for longer. Growing fruit opens up opportunities to try different flavours, textures, and varieties that children may not have encountered before.
Starting with easy-to-grow fruit plants allows you to experiment with options that suit your space and lifestyle. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and fruit trees grown in containers are all accessible ways to introduce variety.
Exposure to different fruits early on helps children develop a broader palate, which can support healthier eating habits over time.
Healthy snacks within reach
One of the simplest ways growing fruit encourages healthier eating is convenience.
When fruit is growing outside, it becomes an easy snack option. Children can pick a strawberry, a handful of berries, or fruit from a low branch without preparation or packaging.
This ease matters. Children often choose snacks based on what’s quickest and most accessible. Growing your own fruit removes barriers and makes healthy options feel effortless. It also encourages grazing on fresh produce rather than reaching for processed snacks.
Connecting food with seasons
Growing fruit teaches children that food is seasonal.
They learn that strawberries arrive in summer, apples in autumn, and that not everything is available all year round. This understanding helps set realistic expectations and builds respect for natural cycles.
Children who understand seasonality often become more patient and more appreciative of food when it’s available. They also learn that healthy eating doesn’t have to look the same all year.
This awareness supports balanced eating habits and reduces reliance on out-of-season or heavily processed options.
Building routines around healthy choices
Caring for fruit plants introduces gentle routines into family life.
Watering, checking for ripeness, and harvesting become shared activities that reinforce consistency and responsibility. These routines create natural opportunities to talk about food, nutrition, and choices without formal lessons or lectures.
When children are involved in these processes, healthy eating becomes part of their normal routine rather than something that needs constant encouragement.
Positive mealtime conversations
Growing fruit often leads to better conversations around meals.
Children may ask questions about how the fruit grew, what else it can be used for, or why it tastes different from shop-bought versions. These conversations can build understanding and interest rather than resistance.
When meals include fruit that children have grown themselves, there’s often a sense of pride and excitement that carries through to the table. This positive atmosphere supports healthier eating in a way that feels natural rather than enforced.
Long-term habits that last
Perhaps the most valuable impact of growing fruit at home is the long-term influence it can have.
Children who grow food are more likely to:
Try new fruits and vegetables
Eat fruit more regularly
Understand where food comes from
Value fresh, whole foods
These habits often continue into adulthood, shaping healthier choices later in life.
Growing fruit isn’t about perfection or eliminating treats. It’s about building a balanced relationship with food that feels positive and achievable.
A simple step with lasting benefits
You don’t need a large garden or extensive knowledge to see the benefits of growing fruit at home. Even a small number of plants can make a difference.
By involving children, creating curiosity, and making healthy options accessible, growing fruit supports better eating habits in a way that feels enjoyable rather than forced.
Over time, those small moments of picking, tasting, and sharing fruit help build a healthier relationship with food for the whole family.
Are you looking for advice on how to grow tomatoes in pots? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about planting, caring for, and harvesting your own delicious tomatoes.
Nothing beats the taste of homegrown tomatoes! The flavour is on another level compared to shop-bought tomatoes, and being able to pick them from the garden and enjoy that wonderful taste straight away is really special. They’re an easy crop to grow, and you don’t need loads of room to do it.
How to grow tomatoes in pots
Whether you’re a beginner who is just getting started with growing your own fruit and vegetables, or an experienced gardener looking for a few extra tips, this guide to growing tomatoes in pots has you covered.
We’ve included advice on growing tomatoes from seed, choosing pots, planting, feeding, watering, harvesting, and dealing with common problems. You’ll also find our top picks of tomato varieties for containers and hanging baskets to help you choose your plants.
Why grow tomatoes in pots?
Growing tomatoes in pots is a great option for lots of reasons.
If you’re limited on space in the garden, or don’t have a garden at all, you can still enjoy a delicious homegrown tomato harvest.
If you don’t need a huge tomato harvest, you can avoid a glut by just growing one or two tomato plants in pots.
If you’re new to gardening, growing edible plants in pots is a great way to get started.
If you don’t have lots of time to dedicate to gardening, container plants are much lower maintenance than a big vegetable patch.
Containers can be placed at a range of heights. This is fantastic if gardening at ground level isn’t an option for you, and also allows you to maximise the vertical space you have available.
Growing in pots and containers is a brilliant way to get kids involved in gardening. The smaller scale is easier for little hands to manage, and less daunting too.
Growing tomatoes in containers gives you more control over the growing conditions. You can dictate the type of soil and location of your pots, manage pests more easily, and also avoid any soil-borne diseases that are hanging around in your garden soil.
The best tomato varieties for pots
When you’re growing tomatoes in pots and hanging baskets, it’s important to choose the right tomato variety. Some are just too big to be grown in pots.
Here are our top picks for the best tomatoes to grow in pots. If you can’t find them in garden centres or hardware stores, try online plant or seed companies.
Sungold produces an abundant crop of delicious orange cherry tomatoes. This is one of the larger varieties on our list so it’s best suited to bigger containers.
Gardener’s Delight is a great option for containers, producing lots of cherry tomatoes with minimal fuss. Like Sungold, it’s a larger variety and suited to bigger pots.
Minibel is very compact at 30cm and suitable for small pots as well as hanging baskets.
Micro Tom is a teeny variety that’s ideal for small containers.
Red Alert reaches around 45cm tall and produces a good crop of cherry tomatoes.
Glacier is a salad tomato variety which grows to around 120cm high.
Astro Ibrido is a plum tomato variety which reaches around 90cm tall.
Marmalade is a beefsteak variety that grows to 60cm and produces impressive heirloom tomatoes with bags of flavour.
The best tomato varieties for hanging baskets
Tumbling Tom is a cherry tomato with a sweet flavour and a trailing habit.
Heartbreaker is a dwarf variety that reaches 30cm and produces heart-shaped cherry tomatoes. A cute option for a stylish hanging basket.
Garten Perle is another great cherry tomato for hanging baskets.
Micro Tom is well-suited to hanging baskets as well as pots.
Terenzo will also trail if you want it to, making it a great option for hanging baskets as well.
The best pots for growing tomatoes
The right pot can make all the difference to your success when growing tomatoes. Here’s what you need to think about when choosing containers for tomato plants:
Material: The majority of plant pots are either plastic or terra cotta, and tomato plants will grow well in either of these. If you’re buying new pots for growing tomatoes, do try to avoid plastic and opt for a more eco-friendly alternative such as bamboo, fabric pots, or terracotta. You can also grow tomatoes in a growbag or tomato bag.
Size: What size container is best for growing tomatoes? This will depend upon the type of tomato plant you want to grow, and the amount of room you have. As a guide, your tomato pots should be a minimum of 5 gallons (22 litres) capacity. A 5-gallon bucket will have a diameter of around 12 inches (30cm). Some tomato varieties will need bigger pots than others, so bear this in mind when choosing your plants.
Depth: Aim for pots that are at least 12 inches (30cm) deep for your tomatoes.
Drainage: Make sure there are good drainage holes in the bottom of the container. Tomato plants won’t thrive if their roots are waterlogged.
Shape: This is pretty much up to you! Traditional plant pots are round, but there’s no reason why you can’t use a different shape or an attractive planter to grow your tomatoes. You can even use a hanging basket to grow tomatoes – more about that option later. Whatever you choose, just make sure those drainage holes are present in the bottom of the pot.
Pots for tomato plants: our top picks
*Fabric grow bagshave carry handles and are easy to store when not in use. They also allow you to avoid plastic and garden more sustainably.
*Self-watering pots have a reservoir in the bottom to provide your plant with a more consistent supply of water.
*Metal hanging baskets with coir liners allow you to grow tumbling tomatoes around the sides and an upright variety on the top.
*Hanging bags are great for tumbling tomato varieties.
Is it better to grow tomatoes in pots or grow bags?
Grow bags are a popular choice when it comes to growing tomatoes, but there are some disadvantages to using them instead of pots.
Pots are available in a range of sizes, allowing you to provide enough compost for your hungry tomato plants. Grow bags, on the other hand, are only usually sold in one or two sizes, which makes them less flexible when it comes to the volume of compost used.
Traditional grow bags also inevitably involve plastic, whereas with pots you can avoid this environmental impact.
The other thing to bear in mind about grow bags is the quality of the compost they are filled with. Some are less than great. With pots you can dictate the quality of the compost used.
Can I grow tomatoes in a compost bag?
Yes, you can use a bag of multipurpose compost instead of a grow bag to grow tomatoes. The compost will be pretty similar in both.
Do tomatoes prefer deep or wide pots?
The extensive root system on tomato plants is usually more wide than it is deep. For this reason, it’s important to use a pot that provides as much width as possible.
How to grow tomatoes in pots from seed
While you can buy small tomato plants and pot them on, it’s fun (and cheaper!) to grow them from seed. You will also have access to a wider range of tomato varieties if you grow from seed.
Here’s how to grow tomatoes from seed.
Planting tomato seeds
You will need:
Fill your pots or trays with compost, and tap it down lightly.
Sow your tomato seeds onto the top of the compost. One or two seeds per pot or module should be enough.
Sprinkle a small amount of compost over the top of the pots to cover the seeds.
Water your pots or trays carefully. Heavy watering can wash away your seeds.
Add a plant label to each pot or tray.
Put your pots or trays in a warm place; a sunny windowsill is great. You can also place a clear lid over them to help the seeds germinate quicker.
Check your pots every couple of days, and water if necessary.
Potting on tomato seedlings
As you tomato seeds grow, they will need to be moved into larger pots. Doing this will ensure they continue to have access to plenty of nutrients until it’s time to plant them out.
Add compost to the bottom of your large pot.
Carefully remove the tomato seedling from its pot or tray.
Remove the first set of leaves at the base of the stem.
Place the tomato plant in the larger pot, and add more compost to firm it in. The first set of leaves needs to be slightly above the top of the compost.
Add a plant label to each pot.
Water your plant.
How to plant tomatoes in pots
The best time to plant tomatoes out in the garden is after the last frost date. In the UK this planting time is usually in May.
Follow these planting tips to give your young plants the best chance of thriving:
You will need:
Fill your container with compost.
Carefully remove the tomato plant from its pot.
Place the tomato plant in the container, and add more compost to firm it in. The first set of leaves needs to be slightly above the top of the compost.
Water your plant thoroughly, then move it to its growing location.
How to plant tomatoes in hanging baskets
The process of planting tomatoes in hanging baskets is similar to planting them in pots, but there are a couple of extra steps that you can take to really help your plants.
You will need:
Mix some slow-release fertiliser and water retaining crystals into your compost. The plant food will help to keep nutrient levels up, while the water retaining crystals will prevent the basket drying out as quickly.
Fill your basket with potting mix.
If you’re growing trailing tomato varieties, make holes in the side of the basket liner where you want to plant them.
Carefully remove each tomato plant from its pot, and firm it into the basket. The first set of leaves needs to be slightly above the top of the compost.
Water your basket thoroughly, then move it to its growing location.
Is multi purpose compost OK for tomatoes?
Tomato plants will grow happily in multi-purpose compost. However, they are hungry plants, and will eventually use up the nutrients in the compost. For this reason, you need to feed container-grown tomatoes regularly with a plant food designed for edible crops.
Where to grow tomatoes in pots
Tomato plants like direct sunlight and warm temperatures. Choose a location that’s in full sun and quite sheltered for your container tomatoes. A minimum of six hours of sun a day is ideal.
Providing support for tomatoes in pots
Some varieties of potted tomato plants are small enough to not need any support, and obviously the trailing varieties don’t need any either. But if you’ve chosen a larger variety you will need to add some form of support structure to your pots in order to keep the plant healthy and avoid damage.
Here are a few options to consider:
Watering container grown tomatoes
Any plant that is grown in a pot is much more reliant on you when it comes to water. The plant will have limited access to water from the soil, plus pots dry out quicker than a garden bed. All of this means your container grown tomatoes need regular, frequent watering.
They key here is consistency; try to avoid irregular watering, big gaps between watering, and just drowning your plants every now and then.
Inconsistent watering can cause all sort of problems, including poor growth, diseases, and a small harvest.
Always water tomatoes from the bottom. Water the soil, not the plant. Watering from above increases the risk of diseases.
Can you overwater tomatoes?
Yes, you can. While tomatoes are thirsty plants – especially in warm weather – it’s possible to overwater them.
What does an overwatered tomato plant look like?
Signs that a tomato plant is dealing with excess water include:
Wilting leaves
Yellow stems and/or leaves
Saturated compost
A green or white crust on the soil surface
Root rot
What does an underwatered tomato plant look like?
Signs that a tomato plant isn’t getting enough water include:
Curling leaves
Wilting leaves in the morning
Yellow leaves
Dry compost
Poor growth
Feeding tomatoes in pots
As we’ve already mentioned, plants that are grown in containers will eventually exhaust the nutrients in their compost. Add in the fact that tomatoes are heavy feeders, and that means you should definitely feed your plants if you want to maximise your harvest.
When should I start feeding tomato plants?
As a rough guide, your potted tomato plants will exhaust the compost in around six weeks. After this point, you should start feeding them. If you see flowers forming, it’s definitely a good time to feed your plants.
Choosing tomato fertiliser
For best results, it’s a good idea to use a *tomato feed that’s specifically designed for tomato plants. These will have the right ratios of nutrients to support optimum growth and fruiting.
Tomato feed is available as concentrated liquid fertiliser, granules, and ready to pour liquid.
How often should you feed tomatoes in pots?
Always follow the instructions on your plant food when feeding tomato plants. Usually the recommendation is every two weeks, but do check the label.
How to maximise your tomato harvest
Having invested time and effort into growing tomatoes in pots, you will naturally want to get the best harvest!
Here’s a quick checklist of easy ways to help your plants produce a bumper crop.
Use good quality compost.
Grow your tomatoes in a sheltered, sunny spot.
Support the main stem of your plant to prevent damage.
Water regularly from the bottom of the plant.
Feed your plants regularly.
Pinch out side shoots as the plant grows – this makes the plant focus on fruit, not extra growth.
Harvest ripe fruit regularly – this can speed up ripening on the remaining fruits.
Tips for harvesting tomatoes
When it’s time to harvest your juicy tomatoes, here are some tips to help you get it right.
To pick your tomato from the plant, either gently twist it until it comes away from the stem, or snip off the stem close to the fruit.
Pick ripe tomatoes as soon as possible. Leave them too long and you risk splitting (or having them pinched by birds and squirrels!)
It’s fine to harvest tomatoes that aren’t fully ripe and finish off the ripening process on a sunny windowsill indoors.
If you’ve got a bit of a glut and want to slow down ripening, pick your semi-ripe fruit and store it somewhere cool. You can also try freezing whole tomatoes, or turning them into sauce and freezing that. And if all else fails, you can always share your harvest with friends and family!
Common issues with container tomatoes
Like all plants, tomatoes are prone to a few issues. Here’s a quick guide to problems you might encounter, and what to do about them:
Flower drop: flowers form, but fall off and fruit do not develop. Pests, low nutrients, lack of water and fluctuating temperatures can all cause blossom drop. Make sure your plant is fed and watered regularly, inspect it for pests, and consider moving the pot to a location that has more stable temperatures.
Blossom end rot: black patches on the bottom of the fruit, caused by lack of calcium in the soil or a soil pH that is too low. This isn’t often an issue for container grown tomatoes.
Powdery mildew: white, powdery substance on leaves, caused by lack of air flow. This commonly affects tomatoes grown in a greenhouse. Improve air circulation to deal with it.
Blight: leaves turn shrivelled and brown, stems may develop brown patches, fruit develops soggy patches. Common in warm, damp conditions. Do not reuse compost from plants affected by blight.
Viral diseases: spots or stripes on the fruit. Inconsistent watering, lack of nutrients, and high temperatures can encourage viral disease to spread.
Sunscald: yellowish or white areas on the fruit, caused by the sun. Don’t remove lots of the plant’s foliage as this will provide natural shade.
Wilted and/or yellow leaves: usually caused by over or under watering.
Cracked fruit: caused by inconsistent watering. Water your plants regularly.
Aphids: damage to leaves and flowers. Deter aphids by encouraging their natural predators, which include ladybirds and lacewings.
Great companion plants for tomatoes
There are some plants that you can grow alongside tomatoes that will help them to thrive. Doing this is known as companion planting.
Companion planting works by taking advantage of synergies between plant species. Put simply, growing certain plants alongside each other can help to deter pests, provide nutrients, aid pollination, suppress weeds, and prevent diseases. In the case of edible crops, all of this can also increase your harvest.
In the world of gardening, the practice of companion planting has gained popularity for its remarkable ability to enhance the health and productivity of crops. When it comes to spinach companion plants, the strategic selection of plants to grow alongside this leafy green can make a significant difference to your harvest.
This article outlines over 40 great companion plants for spinach, explaining how each plant can boost growth, deter common pests, and contribute to a thriving garden. We also cover the worst plants to grow alongside spinach to help you avoid any issues.
What is companion planting?
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves strategically growing different plants in proximity to one another to maximise mutual benefit and promote overall garden health.
This age-old practice aims to harness the natural synergies between certain plant species to foster a healthier, more resilient garden environment.
Key benefits of companion planting
Natural Pest Control: Certain plant combinations repel pests (known as trap cropping) or attract beneficial insects, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Improved Soil Fertility: Companion planting fosters nutrient exchange and nitrogen fixation between compatible plants, enhancing overall soil health.
Shade Provision: Some plant combinations provide shade, preventing water evaporation and protecting more delicate plants from intense sunlight.
Biodiversity: Creates a diverse garden ecosystem that promotes resilience and balance between species.
Enhanced Pollination: Attracts bees and other pollinators, improving the pollination of crops and leading to increased yield.
Weed Suppression: Some companion plants act as natural weed suppressors, helping to control unwanted plant growth.
Space Optimisation: Efficient use of garden space by strategically placing plants that complement each other’s growth habits.
Disease Resistance: Certain plant combinations can help deter the spread of diseases by creating an environment less conducive to pathogens.
Increased Yield: Companion planting contributes to healthier and more productive gardens by leveraging the positive interactions between plants.
Overall, the companion planting technique not only boosts plant growth and yield, but also creates an ecosystem that fosters a harmonious balance between different species. It can save gardeners effort and money too!
The best spinach companion plants
Now you know why it’s a great idea to companion plant spinach, take a look at this list of the best spinach companion plants that will help your vegetable patch flourish.
Edible plants to grow alongside spinach
Brassicas
Plants that belong to the brassica family are great spinach companion plants because their root systems don’t grow at the same depth as spinach roots. This means they won’t compete for water and soil nutrients.
Members of the brassica family include:
Kale
Cabbage
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower
Turnips
Radishes
Arugula
Collard greens
Mustard greens
Bok choy
Kohlrabi
Watercress
Legumes
Plants from the legume family play a key role in soil health. When they die back, they add nitrogen to the soil, which is a key nutrient when it comes to plant growth. For this reason you might see these plants referred to as ‘nitrogen fixers’.
In the context of companion planting for spinach, growing legumes in the same place and letting the plants die back will enrich the soil and support strong growth in your spinach plants.
Legumes include:
Alliums
Allium plants have a strong scent, and this can act as a deterrent to spinach pests such as aphids, flea beetles, and leaf miners. They are also great when it comes to attracting beneficial insects that like to feed on those pests.
The upright habit of most alliums means they don’t take up much room either.
Alliums include:
Circubitaceae
The name of this plant family may not be familiar, but lots of the plants will be. Circubits make good spinach companion plants because they won’t compete for nutrients. They work best if you grow them vertically rather than along the ground as they will leave enough space for spinach that way.
Curcubits to try growing with spinach include:
Carrots
Carrots are root vegetables, and that means they are great at improving the structure of soil. Their tap roots help to break up soil and make it easier for spinach seeds and young plants to grow.
Fragrant herbs
Like alliums, herbs can provide strong scents that repel insect pests. Some varieties of fragrant herb will also attract beneficial insects.
Great herbs to use when companion planting spinach include:
Mint
Coriander (Cilantro)
Chives
Parsley
Basil
Rosemary
Lettuce
Lettuce enjoys similar growing conditions to spinach, and the two make good companions.
If you plant these two leafy greens in close promximity you can also minimise weeds and help to keep the soil temperature down.
Tomatoes
The growing season for tomatoes is similar to spinach, and the two plants will be happy side by side. Interplanting spinach amongst your tomato plants is an easy way to make the most of the available space, and your spinach plants will also provide ground cover. The two harvests won’t compete either as your spinach will be ready long before your tomatoes.
Peppers
Like tomatoes, pepper plants are ideal for companion planting with spinach to maximise soil usage without creating competition.
Aubergines (eggplants)
Aubergines also work well for spinach companion planting in the same way as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
Swiss chard
Swiss chard belongs to the same plant family as spinach, but it will happily grow alongside it and can even provide beneficial shade.
Strawberries
Strawberry plants like to spread at ground level, and this habit will keep the soil cool and limit water evaporation – both of which is ideal for spinach plants. They also make good companion plants for spinach because they don’t grow as tall as spinach.
Flowering spinach companion plants
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums make excellent companion plants for spinach as they will attract aphids and other predatory insects. The flowers look lovely too and are a great way to pretty up your vegetable plot. And as an added bonus, the flowers and seeds are also edible.
Cosmos
Lovely cosmos is an easy flower to grow from seedthat comes with added benefits when companion planting spinach. Like nasturtiums, cosmos will attract harmful insects and bring colour to your plot, and the tall plants will also create the partial shade that spinach enjoys.
Marigolds
If you need to keep aphids and/or mosquitos away from your spinach crop, marigolds are a good choice. They will add a shot of colour to the garden too.
Zinnias
Another great companion plant for spinach, zinnias will deter pests from munching on your crop. They will also provide partial shade.
Calendula
Like alliums and herbs, calendula has a scent that can deter predators – in this case rabbits as well as pesky insects.
The worst companion plants for spinach
Now let’s explore the plants you need to avoid when companion planting spinach. Grow all of these in another part of the garden to keep everything happy.
Potatoes
Potatoes are heavy feeders, and if you grow them with spinach the two will compete for nutrients.
Fennel
Fennel produces compounds that make life hard for other edible crops, so it’s a good idea to grow it as a loner in the vegetable garden.
Sunflowers
Like fennel, sunflowers will inhibit spinach growth due to the compound they release into the soil.
Corn
The dense vegetation and height of corn makes it a bad companion plant for spinach as it will limit available light.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins love to scramble and spread, and as such they will compete too much with spinach at ground level. Avoid planting spinach near these space-hungry plants.
Tips for growing spinach plants
As well as choosing great companion plants for spinach (Spinacia oleracea), there are some other things you can do to get the most out of your crop. Here are some tips to help your plants do well.
Grow spinach at the right time of year, to provide optimum temperature and daylight.
Spinach likes moist, fertile soil that drains well, or good quality compostin pots.
Provide your plants with partial shade.
Allow enough space for growth when planting.
Water regularly for best results.
If you’re growing spinach from seed, plant small batches on a regular basis to create a continuous supply of leaves.
Checklist for companion planting spinach
Here’s a quick reminder of the conditions you need to look out for when choosing spinach companion plants:
Fertile soil
Well-drained soil
Temperatures 15-20°C/60–70°F
Regular watering
Ability to provide shade (not essential but nice to have)
From pest management to improved soil fertility and efficient space utilisation, the benefits of companion planting are there for the taking. Embracing the principles of companion planting for spinach promises not only a bountiful spinach harvest, but a deeper understanding and appreciation for the interconnected nature of gardening.
More companion planting advice
For more tips and advice on successful companion planting, take a look at these articles:
More grow your own advice
How to grow a windowsill herb garden
PIN FOR LATER: the best companion plants for spinach
Would you like to maximise your cantaloupe harvest? This list of good companion plants for cantaloupe will help you give your plants the best chance of thriving and fruiting.
The best companion plants for cantaloupe melons
This article covers 21 great cantaloupe companion plants, as well as 9 plants you should avoid planting nearby.
What is companion planting?
Companion planting is growing specific varieties of plants side by side. The idea is one type of plant provides benefits for the other plant, and vice versa, creating a symbiotic relationship. Companion planting is sometimes referred to as companion gardening.
There a lots of great reasons to embrace companion planting in your garden:
Pest control: some garden plants can repel pests, or attract pests and harmful insects away from other plants.
Help with pollination: some plants will attract beneficial pollinating insects that another plant needs in order to flower or fruit.
Disease prevention: some plants have anti-fungal or antibacterial properties.
More sustainable gardening: companion planting can allow you to reduce or even eliminate the need for chemical products such as pesticides. As well as making your garden more sustainable, it will also be a more wildlife-friendly garden.
Growth support: some plants enrich the soil with nutrients needed by other plants.
Companion planting works best when you pair plants that enjoy the same growing conditions.
Just as some plants are good for each other, some plants are bad for each other when you grow them together. It’s important to know what these plants are, so you can avoid them.
Do cantaloupe melons benefit from companion planting?
Absolutely. Companion planting cantaloupe plants can help you to control common pests, provide nutrients, and attract those all-important pollinators.
Canatloupe vines can also provide benefits for other plants. These include ground cover which will protect other plant roots and limit soil erosion
20 fantastic cantaloupe companion plants
Here are our top compatible companion plants for cantaloupe to help you achieve a bumper harvest.
Edible companion plants for cantaloupe
Pole Beans
Climbing pole beans such as runner beans make great companion plants for cantaloupe. These members of the legume family add nitrogen – an essential nutrient for plant growth – to the soil when they die back and the roots rot. Plants that do this are often referred to as nitrogen fixers’.
Canaloupes are hungry plants, so growing beans in your patch before you plant cantaloupes will help to keep those nutrient levels up and reduce the need for supplementary plant food. Just make sure you leave the roots in the soil.
Growing your climbing beans on plant supports will reduce competition for ground space.
Bush beans
As with pole beans, bush bean plants such as French beans are also great for enriching the soil with nitrogen and supporting cantaloupe growth.
Carrots
Because carrots are root vegetables, they do a good job of breaking up the soil before you plant cantaloupe seeds or seedlings. A more open soil structure makes it easier for seeds and young plants to get established. The timing works well with these two companion plants as the carrots can be ready for harvest by the time you want to get going with the cantaloupes.
Garlic
The strong scent of garlic plants is a deterrent for lots of insect pests, so it makes a great cantaloupe companion plant. Growing garlic doesn’t take up much room either, so you can easily incorporate it amongst other plants.
Onions
Onions work in the same way as garlic as a companion plant for edible crops. Make sure you leave enough space when you plant them so that the foliage doesn’t crowd out your cantaloupes.
Chives
Like garlic and onions, chives are members of the allium family and their fragrance will deter common garden pests.
Mint
Another pungent plant, mint will effectively repel ants, aphids and flea beetles. It’s a very vigorous plant, so you need to keep it under control. The easiest way to do this is to grow it in a container.
Basil
The strong scent of basil can act as a pest deterrent. These shallow-rooted plants won’t compete with your melon plants either.
Oregano
Oregano will act as a pest deterrent and tempt pollinators and insect predators into your melon patch.
Coriander
Also known as cilantro, coriander is a good cantaloupe companion plant when it comes to beneficial insects. This aromatic herb will also deter pests such as aphids and spider mites.
Coriander plants will be happiest when growing in a cool, partially shady location, so you do need to consider this when pairing them with sun and heat-loving cantaloupe plants. You may need to plant your coriander in a nearby shady spot, or grow it in pots.
Tansy
Tansy (or Tanacetum vulgare) boasts scented foliage and lots of bright yellow flowers. Those flowers are a beacon for pollinators. It’s a big plant, so you will need to keep it under control.
Dill
Ladybirds are fans of dill, so you want some of this in close proximity to your cantaloupes. Draw them in and they will take care of pesky aphids for you.
Radishes
Lacewings and ladybirds are radish fans, as are aphids. Grow them near cantaloupe to provide a natural diversion away from your crops.
Collard greens
Like radishes, collard greens are an aphid trap crop.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a good companion plant for the early stages of cantaloupe growing. It will provide ground cover and protect young plants while also limiting weeds. When your cantaloupe plants need more space you will need to harvest your lettuce to create some room for your warm-season crop.
Spinach
Spinach offers the same benefits as lettuce when you grow it as a cantaloupe companion plant. As with lettuce, you should harvest it when the other plants need the space.
Ornamental companion plants for cantaloupe
Monarda (Bee balm)
Monardas have stunning blooms and an upright habit. They won’t compete for a lot of space, and will attract pollinators and pest predators.
Nasturtium
Aphids adore nasturtiums, so they’re well worth planting amongst your cantaloupes. They will earn their space in more ways than one; as well as attracting predatory insects, the flowers and seeds are edible, and the blooms are really pretty.
Borage is another companion plant that enriches the soil when it rots down. The plants will add potassium, which is key for the production of flowers and fruit.
Borage will also attract pollinating insects and predators, so it can help with pest control and pollination too. Plus it’s a lovely looking plant.
Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the most well-used companion plants for edible crops. They will repel aphids and even mosquitoes, while also rewarding you with lovely bold colour.
A quick checklist for cantaloupe melon companion plants
When choosing your companion plants for cantaloupe, go for varieties that like to grow in conditions that match the needs of cantaloupe. These are:
Full sun
Well-drained soil
Fertile soil
Temperatures above 21°C / 70°F
Regular watering
The worst cantaloupe companion plants
So you know what works well as a cantaloupe companion plant, but what should you not plant next to cantaloupe?
What not to plant with cantaloupe
Avoid growing all of these plants alongside cantaloupe – they can cause trouble!
Cucurbitaceae plants
Cantaloupe is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. As such, it’s vulnerable to some of the same pests as other members of this family, including aphids, squash bugs, spider mites, whiteflies and cucumber beetles. Growing other Cucurbitaceae varieties alongside cantaloupe vines runs the risk of introducing those pests to your cantaloupe crop.
There is also a likelihood that the plants will compete for light, space and nutrients.
The following Cucurbitaceae plant family members should be grown well away from cantaloupe:
Squash & pumpkin
Courgettes (zucchini)
Cucumbers
Watermelons
Potatoes
Aphids are fans of potato plants, and potatoes will also compete for water, light and nutrients, so you should aim to keep them away from cantaloupes.
Crops that are heavy feeders
Any crop that has high nutrient requirements should be avoided as a cantaloupe companion plant, because cantaloupes are also heavy feeders. These include:
Cabbage
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Aubergine
Healthy cantaloupes need lots of water, so you should also avoid growing them alongside plants that like dry conditions.
And that’s all you need to know about companion planting cantaloupe melons. Use this guide to select your plant neighbours and you’ll give your cantaloupes a great chance of thriving.
More gardening tips
For more gardening tips and advice, take a look at these articles:
Creating a thriving fruit garden requires careful planning and protection against external elements, especially birds and insects that can jeopardise your harvest. One innovative and cost-effective solution is crafting key clamp frames to support netting for fruit bushes.
Create a thriving fruit garden with key clamp frames
This DIY project not only safeguards fruits, but also adds a personalised touch to your garden. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating key clamp frames for netting.
Materials needed for netting fruit bushes
Before diving into the construction process, we recommend gathering the following materials:
Key Clamps and Tubing:Key clamps, also known as pipe connectors, are available in various sizes and materials. Opt for durable materials such as galvanised steel. Accompany the clamps with tubing to create the frame structure.
Netting: Choose a high-quality, durable netting material that will effectively protect your fruit bushes from birds and insects. Nylon or polyethene netting with a fine mesh is ideal.
PVC Pipe Cutter or Hacksaw: A PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw will be essential for cutting the tubing to your desired lengths.
Measuring Tape: Accurate measurements are crucial for a well-fitted frame. A measuring tape ensures precision during the construction process.
Drill and Drill Bits: You’ll need a drill to create holes in the tubing for securing the key clamps and assembling the frame.
Screws and Bolts: Use screws and bolts to securely connect the key clamps to the tubing.
Constructing key clamp net frames
Step One
Begin by measuring the dimensions of the area you want to cover with netting.
Use the PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw to cut the tubing into the required lengths for the horizontal and vertical components of the frame.
Step Two
Lay out the cut tubing pieces on a flat surface and begin assembling the frame. Connect the tubing pieces using the key clamps, ensuring a snug fit. This will form the basic structure of your key clamp frame.
Step Three
If your fruit bushes are relatively tall, consider adding support legs to the frame. Attach additional tubing pieces vertically to the frame corners using key clamps to provide stability.
Step Four
Once the frame is assembled, use a drill to create holes along the tubing at regular intervals. These holes will serve as anchor points for attaching the netting.
Step Five
Unroll the netting and drape it over the frame. Secure the netting to the frame by threading zip ties or twine through the holes drilled in the tubing. Ensure the netting is taut and covers the entire frame to effectively protect your fruit bushes.
Benefits of DIY key clamp frames
Creating your own key clamp frames is a budget-friendly alternative to purchasing pre-made fruit bush covers.
DIY frames also allow you to tailor the dimensions and design according to your garden layout and specific plant needs.
Furthermore, using galvanised steel key clamps and tubing ensures the longevity and sturdiness of your frame, providing reliable protection season after season.
Finally, building your own frames adds a personal touch to your garden, and can even give you a sense of accomplishment and pride in your skills!
Happy Gardening!
By taking the DIY route and constructing key clamp frames for netting fruit bushes, you not only protect your harvest, but also embark on a creative and fulfilling gardening project. This cost-effective and customisable solution adds a unique touch to your garden while ensuring a bountiful and pest-free harvest.
