Do you plant vegetables in a greenhouse and then wonder why the harvest is not pleasing?
Eggplants and peppers seem to be ideal neighbors. But is this really true?
Let's figure out who is whose friend and who is whose rival.
Eggplants and peppers belong to the same family – nightshade. At first glance, this gives grounds to consider them good neighbors.
They love warmth, light and moderate humidity. But it's not that simple. Each plant has its own characteristics that can either help or hinder each other's growth.
Eggplants: require more moisture and looser soil. Their root system is powerful, quickly depleting nutrients from the soil.
Peppers: More sensitive to excess moisture. They need a lot of light, but they prefer moderate air humidity.
If you plant them together without taking these nuances into account, problems may arise.
The Main Risks of Co-Growing
Eggplants quickly draw out nutrients, leaving peppers "hungry." This can cause peppers to lag in growth and bear less fruit.
Excessive watering, which is necessary for eggplants, often causes rot in peppers. Peppers are more sensitive to overwatering, so it is important to strictly control the level of watering.
Late blight and aphids are the most frequent guests in greenhouses with nightshades. If one plant gets sick, there is a high risk of infecting neighbors.
To ensure that eggplants and peppers can coexist peacefully, it is important to follow several rules:
1. separate the beds: there should be a gap of at least 50 cm between crops;
2. Use drip irrigation to control soil moisture;
3. Add organic and mineral fertilizers in advance so that there is enough for everyone;
4. Ventilate the greenhouse regularly to avoid stagnant air.
If the greenhouse area allows, you can divide it into zones. For example, give one part to eggplants, another to peppers.
Install a partition made of polyethylene or mesh between the zones. This will help regulate the microclimate.
Growing Together: Tips from Experienced Gardeners
Some gardeners claim that the success of a neighborhood depends on care: regular feeding, proper watering and disease prevention solve most problems.
And some are convinced that it is better not to take risks and grow these crops separately.
Each case is individual, but if you approach the matter wisely, the chances of success are high.
