DO NOT grow these plants near blueberries

The blueberry plant is an attractive and versatile garden addition. With its many small, sweet berries and bright fall foliage, the blueberry bush makes a great edible and decorative piece for any garden. Although blueberries are considered robust plants, they cannot be combined with all plants in the garden or raised bed. In the following, we will tell you which large groups of plants are bad neighbors for blueberries.

Which plants are bad neighbors for blueberries?

Avoid never growing these plants together with blueberries

What is companion planting?

Companion planting is a gardening method that involves growing plants in close proximity together to help each other grow better. The concept is based on the idea that certain plants can attract beneficial insects and deter pests, add nutrients to the soil, improve air circulation, and provide shade or support for one another. Done properly, companion planting can reduce gardening work while improving garden quality. And vice versa: if bad neighbors are grown together, it can lead to plants competing with each other. This has many negative consequences for the garden (such as the appearance of pests, etc.) and is not at all good for the harvest.

Always do your research if you are unsure whether certain plants make good neighbors

Bad neighbors for blueberries: 3 major groups of plants

#nightshade family

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other members of the nightshade family are notoriously poor companion plants for blueberry bushes. Blueberries tend to thrive in acidic soil, while nightshades often prefer soils with more balanced or alkaline pH levels. Planting them side by side as companion plants is not ideal as the needs of both plants will likely go unmet. Growing together can result in one or both plants dying because their preferences are so different.

The plants that grow in the neighborhood can have a big impact on the proper growth of blueberries

#cabbages

Planting cabbages like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and more in close proximity to blueberry bushes is also not recommended due to their different preferences for soil pH and high nutrient requirements. Brassicas typically prefer soil that is more alkaline than those that like blueberries, which can affect the growth and health of both plant species. As they grow vigorously, cabbage plants compete with the blueberry plants – not only for nutrients, but also for vital water resources. And some of the pests that afflict cabbages can also negatively affect blueberry bushes. It is best not to grow these two types of plants together.

Avoid planting collards in close proximity to blueberry bushes

#melons

Growing melons, like cantaloupe or watermelon, near blueberries is also a bad idea. The two types of plants have very different requirements for optimal health – the sprawling and highly nutritious melon plant tends to absorb copious amounts of nutrients and water, depriving the neighboring blueberry plant of essential components for its own growth. Melons generally prefer more alkaline soil than blueberries require, leading to further conflicts between them. It’s best not to risk it by planting these two fruits close together – they shouldn’t be companions in the garden.

*Read how to plant and properly care for blueberries.

Melons are bad neighbors for blueberries

How do you choose good neighbors for blueberries?

When choosing the best companion plants for blueberries, there are a few things to consider:

1. Make sure the plants you choose don’t compete for space or resources like light, create too much shade, or gobble up water and nutrients.
2. Select neighbors that have different nutrient requirements to balance soil fertility.
3. Choose companion plants that can tolerate similar soil requirements, as blueberries need an acidic environment to thrive. Some good companion plants include acid loving plants like rhododendrons and azaleas, herbs like basil or thyme that attract beneficial insects and deter pests. Perennial ground covers that enjoy full sun and moist soil, like strawberries or creeping thyme, are also good neighbors for blueberries.

Raspberries and blueberries are good neighbors and can be grown together in the garden or raised bed

*Also learn how to properly prune blueberries to ensure a bountiful harvest and promote healthy growth.

Thyme is another good neighbor for blueberries

Avoid planting cauliflower near blueberries

Follow these tips and you will enjoy a good bounty of blueberries!