Bad Companion Plants For Turnips That Will Ruin Your Harvest

Bad Companion Plants for Turnips That Will Ruin Your Harvest

Turnips are a cool-season vegetable that are relatively easy to grow. However, there are a few plants that should not be planted near turnips, as they can stunt their growth or attract pests.

In this blog post, we will discuss the seven worst companion plants for turnips. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the best companion plants for your turnip crop.

Why Companion Planting Matters

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain plants together to improve their growth and productivity. When plants are chosen wisely, they can help each other in a number of ways. For example, some plants can attract beneficial insects that help to control pests, while others can help to improve the soil quality or deter diseases.

Turnips can benefit from companion planting in a number of ways. Some good companion plants for turnips include:

• Beans: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can help to improve the growth of turnips.
• Carrots: Carrots and turnips can be planted together because they have different root systems. Carrots have a taproot, while turnips have a more fibrous root system. This means that they will not compete for space or nutrients.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers can help to repel pests from turnips.
• Lettuce: Lettuce can help to shade the roots of turnips, which can help to prevent them from bolting (flowering prematurely).
• Onions: Onions can help to repel pests from turnips.

The Worst Companion Plants for Turnips

While there are many good companion plants for turnips, there are also a few plants that should not be planted near them. These plants can stunt the growth of turnips, attract pests, or otherwise negatively impact their health.

The seven worst companion plants for turnips are:

• Beetroot: Beetroot and turnips are both root vegetables that require similar nutrients. Planting them together can lead to competition for resources, which can stunt the growth of both plants.
• Horseradish: Horseradish and turnips are both in the Brassica family, which means that they are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Planting them together can increase the risk of these problems.
• Mustard: Mustard can attract pests that also target turnips, such as cabbage moths and aphids. Planting mustard near your turnips can increase the risk of these pests damaging your crop.
• Potatoes: Potatoes and turnips are both heavy feeders that require a lot of nutrients from the soil. Planting them together can lead to competition for resources, which can stunt the growth of both plants.
• Fennel: Fennel has a strong scent that can deter some beneficial insects, such as pollinators. Planting fennel near your turnips can reduce the number of pollinators visiting your crop, which can impact the yield of your harvest.
• Black walnut trees: Black walnut trees release a toxin called juglone into the soil, which can stunt the growth of turnips and other plants. If you have a black walnut tree in your yard, it is best to avoid planting turnips nearby.

How to Choose the Best Companion Plants for Turnips

When choosing companion plants for turnips, it is important to consider the following factors:

• The size and growth habit of the plants: Some plants, such as beans and cucumbers, grow tall and can provide shade for turnips. Other plants, such as lettuce and radishes, grow shorter and will not shade the turnips.
• The nutrient requirements of the plants: Some plants, such as beets and potatoes, are heavy feeders that require a lot of nutrients from the soil. Other plants, such as carrots and turnips, are less demanding.
• The susceptibility of the plants to pests and diseases: Some plants, such as mustard and horseradish, are susceptible to the same pests and diseases as turnips. Planting these plants together can increase the risk of these problems.

Conclusion

By avoiding planting the seven worst companion plants for turnips, you can help to ensure a healthy and productive crop. By choosing the right companion plants, you can also improve the growth and yield of your turnips.

Turnips are a delicious and versatile root vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. But did you know that there are some plants that you should avoid planting near turnips? These "bad companion plants" can stunt the growth of your turnips, attract pests, or even kill them.

Here are a few of the worst companion plants for turnips:

• Root vegetables: Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, and parsnips compete with turnips for nutrients and space.
• Nightshades: Nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants can inhibit the growth of turnips.
• Knotweed: Knotweed is an invasive plant that can quickly choke out turnips.
• Hedge mustard: Hedge mustard attracts pests that can damage turnips.
• Horseradish: Horseradish and turnips share the same pests, so planting them together can make it more difficult to control pests.

If you're looking for a list of all the bad companion plants for turnips, be sure to visit Garden Wiki. This website has a comprehensive list of companion plants, as well as information about how to plant and care for turnips.

FAQ of bad companion plants for turnips

• What are some bad companion plants for turnips?

Some bad companion plants for turnips include:

* Root vegetables, such as potatoes, beets, and carrots, as they compete for nutrients and space.
* Nightshades, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, as they can stunt turnip growth.
* Brassicas, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale, as they can attract the same pests as turnips.
* Herbs, such as mint and parsley, as they can compete for water and nutrients.
* Flowers, such as marigolds and nasturtiums, as they can attract pests to the turnip patch.

• Why should I avoid planting these plants near my turnips?

Planting these plants near your turnips can have a number of negative effects, including:

* Reduced growth and yields
* Increased susceptibility to pests and diseases
* Competition for nutrients and water
* Reduced flavor

• What are some good companion plants for turnips?

Some good companion plants for turnips include:

* Garlic
* Onions
* Peas
* Beans
* Cabbage
* Kale
* Lettuce
* Spinach
* Strawberries

These plants can help to deter pests, improve soil health, and boost growth.

• How can I protect my turnips from bad companion plants?

If you have already planted bad companion plants near your turnips, you can try to separate them by at least 3 feet. You can also try to plant them in different parts of your garden. If you are planting your turnips from seed, you can avoid planting them near bad companion plants by carefully planning your garden layout.

• What are some other tips for companion planting with turnips?

Here are a few other tips for companion planting with turnips:

* Plant turnips in full sun.
* Amend the soil with compost or manure before planting.
* Water regularly, especially during dry weather.
* Fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
* Harvest turnips when they are young and tender.

Image of bad companion plants for turnips

Here are 5 different images of bad companion plants for turnips from Pinterest:

• Fennel: Fennel and turnips are both members of the Apiaceae family, which means they have similar root systems. Planting them too close together can stunt their growth.
• Peas: Peas and turnips compete for nitrogen in the soil. Planting them together can lead to nutrient deficiencies in both plants.
• Potatoes: Potatoes and turnips are both root crops that store starch underground. Planting them too close together can lead to root rot and other diseases.
• Horseradish: Horseradish is a very aggressive plant that can crowd out turnips. It also produces a chemical that can inhibit the growth of turnips.
• Beets: Beets and turnips are both susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Planting them together can increase the risk of infection.