Many summer residents plant onions on their plots in any order, believing that they do not require special care.
However, if certain crops are planted next to onions, they will not be able to produce a good harvest. Therefore, it is worth sorting out unwanted neighbors for onions.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told how to act in such a situation.
Beans and peas
Legumes such as beans and peas are some of the worst neighbors for onions. These plants actively consume nitrogen from the soil, which leads to a decrease in the availability of this important element for onions.
Nitrogen is essential for the growth of green mass, and its deficiency can lead to poor onion development.
Additionally, legumes can create dense foliage, shading the onions and reducing their access to sunlight.
Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables
Broccoli and cauliflower are poor neighbors for onions due to the risk of spreading diseases and pests.
These plants can be susceptible to attack by common pests such as cabbage moths and aphids, which can easily spread to onions.
In addition, cruciferous crops can suffer from various fungal infections that can also affect onions.
Celery and parsley
Celery and parsley release chemicals into the soil that can inhibit onion growth. These chemicals can slow root growth and reduce overall plant health.
Carrot
At first glance, carrots may seem like a good neighbor, since their root system goes deep into the soil, while onions develop more superficial roots.
However, in practice, carrots and onions often compete for space and nutrients. Carrot roots can inhibit the root system of onions, which leads to a decrease in their yield.
How to Choose the Right Neighbors for Onions
To get a good onion harvest, it is important not only to avoid bad neighbors, but also to choose suitable companions.
Good neighbors for onions are:
• carrots (with proper space management);
• beet;
• tomatoes;
• salad.
Not only do these crops not compete with onions for resources, but they can also help repel pests and improve soil structure.
Earlier we told you how to defeat slugs .
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
