Growing sunflower and tomatoes together in the same garden layer can seem like an unusual combination at first glance . After all sunflowers can tower up to 12 feet tall while tomatoes typically max out around 5 substructure . But experienced gardeners know that geminate these two summer favorites can have some big benefits . Read on to learn why planting sunflowers with tomatoes is an clever fellow traveler planting strategy .
Sunflowers Attract Pollinators That Boost Tomato Yields
One of the boastful advantages to planting helianthus near tomato is that the pollyannaish yellow blooms will puff in pollenate insect like bees and butterflies , These beneficial hemipteran will then move between the sunflowers and any flowering tomato plants in hunting of nectar and pollen ,
More pollinator visits entail more tomatoes will be successfully pollinated and go on to spring yield . So planting sunflowers with tomato can importantly increase your love apple yields over the time of year .
In fact , consort to gardening expert Melinda Myers , the with child flush heads of sunflowers can attract so many pollinator that almost every Lycopersicon esculentum blossom gets pollinated . She shares that pairing these plant has allowed her to harvest about two twelve more tomatoes from each of her plants .
Sunflowers Provide Support for Vining Tomato Varieties
sure Lycopersicon esculentum types , like undetermined variety show , spring up as sprawling vines that can reach 5 feet long or more . Letting these tomatoes sprawl freely across the basis is n’t always pragmatic . The vines and fruits will come into striking with stain , inviting pests and disease .
This is where sunflowers can contribute a helping stem turn . industrial plant sunflower seeds on one side of your garden bed . Once the plant are established , trail your tomato plant vines to grow up and around the sturdy helianthus stalks .
The helianthus will act as perpendicular supports to keep your tomato contained and off the ground . And you ’ll be construct role of the bare lower dowery of mature sunflower stalks that otherwise goes idle .
Sunflowers Can Help Deter Garden Pests
In addition to boosting pollinator , sunflower also attract predatory louse that feast on common love apple pests like aphid , whitefly , and hornworms . So planting sunflower around your tomatoes may help keep in line pesky insects looking for a love apple snack .
sure sunflower varieties also emit chemicals that repel specific pests like nematode worm and weevils which can damage tomato plant ancestor and foliage . Interplanting these helpful helianthus with tomatoes protects your harvest without the need for chemical substance pesticides .
While geminate tomatoes and sunflower has benefits , you need to give each works sufficient space and imagination to thrive .
helianthus expect full sun and fertile , well - draining soil . Tomatoes also necessitate at least 6 hours of sun but need systematically moist , alimentary - rich soil to place fruit .
Amend your garden bed with compost or manure to provide all the nutrients both crops need . Space plants at least 2 feet aside so sunflower roots have room to spread out . And bet sunflowers once they reach 1 - 2 feet tall to forestall them from shading tomato works .
With good planning , you may enjoy the unique advantage of planting tomato plant and sunflowers side - by - side this time of year . Just be certain to time your plantings right so sunflower pass inflorescence level when tomato plants demand the pollination hike up most . This fellow planting match is sure to result in your best tomato harvest yet !
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Sunflowers and Tomatoes Together
Can you plant sunflowers and tomatoes in the same bed?
Yes , you may successfully plant sunflowers and tomatoes together in the same garden bed . Just be sure to space them at least 2 fundament apart and stakes sunflowers to forbid shading .
What kind of sunflowers should I plant with tomatoes?
pick out pollen - costless sunflower market as “ morning ” or “ Sunbird ” varieties . They will attract pollinators without cross - pollinating and reducing love apple yields .
When should you plant sunflowers with tomatoes?
Plant sunflowers 2 - 3 week in the first place than your tomato plant . This permit sunflowers to hit flowering phase when tomato plants ask the pollination boost most .
Do sunflowers help tomatoes grow better?
Yes ! Sunflowers help boost pollenation , provide vertical support , and protect Lycopersicon esculentum from pest – all of which can significantly ameliorate Lycopersicon esculentum growth and fruit output .
Can you plant anything else with tomatoes and sunflowers?
Some other great comrade plants for tomatoes and sunflowers include basil , borage , marigolds , and nasturtiums which help deter plague and draw in pollinator .
