How to grow tomatoes and cucumbers in one greenhouse: 7 important tips

Tip #2. Consider humidity

The next argument of skeptics why it is impossible to combine crops is different humidity requirements.

Why is it not recommended to plant cucumbers and tomatoes together?

Firstly, cucumbers and tomatoes grow in nature under different conditions. Cucumber is native to tropical India, and tomatoes are from Peru.

Conditions that are best for tomatoes will be detrimental to cucumbers. Therefore, these vegetable crops, in an amicable way, must be planted in separate polycarbonate greenhouses with completely different conditions.

However, the joint proximity of these vegetables saves space and does not require additional costs for the construction of an additional polycarbonate greenhouse.

Tip #3. Carry out mulching

The essence of mulching is to retain moisture in the soil, but at the same time leave the air in the greenhouse relatively dry.

To achieve this goal, it is enough to cover the soil with a harmless, vapor-permeable material:

• straw;
• freshly cut grass;
• plucked and withered weeds.

Tall crops grow well if the soil in the greenhouse is covered with straw or grass. Photo: vosaduly.ru

Long road to popularity

Any living organism, be it a plant or an animal, is endowed by nature with a certain genetic code that determines its properties and requirements for its habitat.

Selection work with seed material carried out over many decades has made it possible to change and improve the appearance and taste of vegetables.

But very rarely they give the opportunity to change their requirements for the growing environment, although some plants can adapt to changing conditions in nature through mutation processes.

Hot India with high humidity is the homeland of cucumber . It still grows wild in those places.

Images of cucumber were found on the frescoes of Ancient Egypt and Greek temples. Known in such ancient times in other countries, the vegetable in Russia was first mentioned in printed sources in the 16th century.

The cucumber supposedly came to us from East Asia, but surprisingly it caught our taste and became a truly national product.

Abundant harvests of cucumbers are grown in most parts of the country - in greenhouses and on the ground. And then, with love and effort, they prepare cucumbers for eating all year round.

Wild tomatoes were first discovered in South America during the expedition of Christopher Columbus, and their seeds were brought to Europe for their ornamental value. At home, tomato thickets were found on dry and ventilated mountain slopes. The climate of those places was ideal for tomatoes - soft, moderate, with rare heavy rains. The 24-hour temperature ranged from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

REFERENCE: In Holland, France and Germany, tomatoes were grown in the greenhouses of wealthy people and planted for decoration in gardens and near gazebos. Their fruits were considered poisonous. It was only in 1811 that the German Botanical Dictionary published information on its pages that tomatoes can be eaten.

Tomato seeds came to Russia under Catherine II, but only at the beginning of the 19th century they began to be grown in the southern regions of the country as an edible crop and good yields were obtained.

Tip #4. Conduct separate watering

1. Cucumbers are crops with a shallow root system and require abundant daily watering. When growing together, they should be watered in the evening so that the water passes through the mulch overnight and lingers in the soil. Watering should be general, that is, a continuous layer within a radius of 30 - 40 cm from the stem.
2. Greenhouse tomatoes are watered a maximum of a couple of times a week. In most of these varieties, the root goes deep into the soil, so here watering is carried out fragmentarily, in ditches or directly into the hole near the stem. A good solution would be drip irrigation

Targeted watering of the main crop increases yield significantly. Photo: ms-aig.ru

How to combine planting cucumbers and tomatoes in one greenhouse?

After a preliminary study of the required conditions for the growth of each of the vegetables, it is necessary to create an optimal environment for each in one polycarbonate greenhouse.

Requirements for planting cucumbers and tomatoes together:

• the greenhouse should be tall and wide;
• greenhouse disinfection;
• add drainage, prepare the soil;
• select individual beds. the cucumber bed should be in the northern part, tomatoes - in the south;
• dig up the soil and form beds for vegetables from it;
• provide a partition and zoning of one crop from another.

Tip #5. Thin out

When growing together, you should not plant bushes densely - this is the easiest way for diseases and pests to appear. Both between tomatoes and cucumbers the minimum distance is 50 cm.

If you are so sensitive to the “walking” soil, you can make the distance between the bushes a little larger, and plant friendly crops in the resulting corridors.

1. Peppers, eggplants, white cabbage and cauliflower are considered the best neighbors of cucumbers.
2. Carrots, onions and garlic get along well with tomatoes in a greenhouse, but planting cabbage next to tomatoes is not recommended.

Conditions for growing cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse

A hot, stuffy greenhouse with high humidity and no drafts is a favorable environment for the growth of cucumbers. They like it when the humidity in the greenhouse reaches 90 percent. At the same time, they are afraid of the cold (not lower than 19 degrees even at night, during the day - 26-28 degrees).

ON A NOTE. The vegetable needs nitrogenous fertilizers.

Tip #7. Plan your greenhouse wisely

Before planting, you need to decide how to divide the greenhouse. Tomatoes and cucumbers can be planted next to other crops, but they should absolutely not be placed in the same bed.

There are 2 options here:

1. Divide the greenhouse with a central path along the entrance and seat competitors on both sides opposite each other. This option is good if there are adjustable ventilation grilles at the entrance and on the back wall on both sides, plus ventilation windows are provided throughout the roof. This way you can regulate the air flow to different zones.

In greenhouses with longitudinal cross-ventilation, it is better to plant tomatoes and cucumbers on both sides of the central path. Photo: proveter.ru

1. Divide the greenhouse crosswise, then plant cucumbers on the far side at the dead end, and tomatoes closer to the entrance. This layout is suitable for home-made structures with a small number of ventilation windows. In this case, it makes sense to divide the sectors in the center with a plastic curtain.

If the dead end of the room is blind, then it is better to divide the greenhouse crosswise.
Photo: dekoriko.ru The location of the room relative to the cardinal directions also plays a big role. Tomatoes love plenty of sun, so it is better to plant them in the east or south. The northwest is more suitable for cucumbers. If you mix it up, then in the south the cucumbers will quickly stretch out and disappear into leaves, which will block the light for the tomatoes.

In the video in this article, a specialist shows how you can plan a greenhouse to accommodate not only cucumbers and tomatoes, but also a number of useful garden crops:

Combination conditions

Professionals highlight special conditions for a favorable relationship between tomatoes and cucumbers:

• Cucumber vines should not create a shadow for tomatoes;
• The ideal place for growing tomatoes is at the entrance to the greenhouse. It is there that ventilation is much more intense, which in turn reduces the level of humidity and the risk of disease is less;
• It is worth paying attention to varieties that are resistant to late blight;
• It is important not to forget about additional pollination. To do this, you need to lightly shake the flowering plants;
• Cucumbers should be planted at the end of the greenhouse. It is there that there are no drafts that lead to a decrease in humidity levels.

Option No. 1 - Film separation

It is worth starting by separating the beds from each other using film. The film must be stretched from the ground to the roof of the greenhouse. This method will help create a special microclimate for each crop. The only condition is that it is necessary to take into account that a ventilation system is provided in the part of the greenhouse where the tomatoes grow. The entrance to the greenhouse zones should be separate at each end. In addition to the air barrier, the soil must also be protected. It is important to leave space between the beds of cucumbers and tomatoes. If it suddenly turns out that the beds of tomatoes and cucumbers are too close, then you should use a metal sheet for a fence. This will ensure that when you water the cucumbers abundantly, you will not create unfavorable conditions for the tomatoes.

Option number 2 - Separate landing

There is an option without using film. To use this method, you need to correctly delimit the beds with cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes.

The ideal option would be a competent division of the territory:

• Pepper should highlight the southern side of the greenhouse. This is due to the fact that such a culture is heat-loving;
• Tomato bushes will grow favorably in the center of the greenhouse, as this part is well ventilated. In addition, places near doors and windows may be suitable;
• Cucumbers should be planted from the north, since moisture evaporates from the plant much more slowly. Corners of the greenhouse protected from drafts are good for growing cucumbers.

Reviews from gardeners

Irina

I grow tomatoes and cucumbers in the same greenhouse. There are two drip irrigation tapes for cucumbers and one for tomatoes. Everything is growing normally.

Source: www.tomat-pomidor.com

KraSа

I have everything in one greenhouse, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. Everything is growing normally. And last year I didn’t know where to put the tomatoes, there were just a huge number of them)) Well, my grandmother planted everything in one greenhouse all her life, half of them were cucumbers, half of them were tomatoes.

Source: www.u-mama.ru

Caring for joint crops

Cucumber care

Cucumbers are moisture-loving plants that require abundant and frequent irrigation with warm water. Settled water is ideal for irrigation. It is recommended to use a foliar spray. The optimal humidity in a greenhouse is 85%. If these rules are followed, the yield of cucumbers will be high.

For uniform plant growth and the appearance of ovaries, the temperature should be at least 22 and not exceed 28 degrees. Cucumbers do not tolerate ventilation and natural drafts. Do not forget about regular feeding of seedlings.

Until the cucumber fruits appear, water the seedlings frequently, but not abundantly. As a result, female flowers will form, which will allow you to harvest a good harvest. After the fruits appear, it is necessary to increase watering.

Tomato care

Tomatoes need to be grown in polycarbonate structures.

• The size of a proper bed should be 90 cm wide and 40 cm high. It is ideal to leave a passage between seedlings of approximately 60 cm. A passage between bushes must be required for comfortable growth and ripening of fruits.
• Seedlings whose height does not exceed 30 cm should be placed vertically in the ground.
• Add soil to the hole two weeks after the seedlings have taken root.
• For the first two weeks, you should refrain from excessive watering.
• After the stem is stretched, it must be tied to a trellis. The most optimal is considered to be an ovary of seven racemes with inflorescences. The resulting excess stepsons need to be trimmed.

Watch the video! How to water tomatoes and cucumbers in a greenhouse

Hydrogel - water substitute

Hydrogel is a salvation for many lovers of growing tomatoes and cucumbers together. This type of adsorbent ideally solves the problem of waterlogging of air and soil. Hydrogel crystals almost instantly absorb excess water during irrigation. And they pass it on to the roots of moisture-loving seedlings.

Since the hydrogel absorbs water, when watering, intense evaporation of moisture does not occur into the air, and, therefore, the humidity in the greenhouse does not increase. The adsorbent does not lead to a decrease in the level of immunity in tomatoes, but rather enriches cucumbers with liquid. Thus, it is convenient for two crops to grow side by side at the same time.

How to mark hydrogel? When planting cucumber seedlings, 0.5 cups of hydrogel is added to the hole, then it is watered abundantly and the plant needs to be buried.

The hydrogel is ideal not only for absorbing water, but also mineral fertilizers dissolved in them. If you soak the granules in a fertilizer solution before the first use, you won’t have to worry about plant nutrition for a long time.

Mulch to retain moisture

If it turns out that cucumbers are already planted in a greenhouse without hydrogel, then it is recommended to use mulching. This method will help retain moisture at the roots of the plant and the evaporation process will be reduced.

Rules for using mulch:

• Prepare grass or weed clippings.
• After the cucumber seedlings appear, cover the soil around the seedlings with a layer of mulch (about 10 centimeters).
• Constantly add a layer of mulch as it settles.

Mulching will reduce the amount of watering. In addition, a layer of mulch generates heat, which cucumbers love so much. Moisture evaporation will occur under the mulch. The bottom layer of mulch, when gradually decomposed, releases heat and nutritious organic fertilizers, which are necessary for the growth of vegetables. .

Is it possible to grow tomatoes in an apartment?

Of course, you can grow tomatoes in an apartment. You can grow them using container plant gardening techniques.

Tomato harvest on the window a month after sowing

Look around your apartment and find the best place to grow tomatoes. A bright balcony, loggia, or sunny window sill facing south or west is ideal. Choose standard varieties and hybrids, cherry tomatoes and early short varieties for harvesting on the balcony, since similar series have appeared in almost all large seed companies.

You can learn everything about growing tomatoes on a windowsill from our detailed article here >>>>>

Is it possible to plant these crops side by side?

Many gardeners do not recommend growing vegetable crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes in close proximity. Their incompatibility is quite obvious:

1. The homeland of the cucumber is Ancient India. Like its historical relative, the cucumber prefers sunny, warm, but not very hot weather. However, it is very demanding on air and soil humidity. Therefore, this vegetable requires frequent watering. For cucumbers, constant ventilation and drafts, which are necessary for tomatoes, are detrimental.
2. According to some sources, Peru is considered the birthplace of the tomato. This vegetable is very unpretentious to grow. Only, unlike cucumbers, he does not like frequent watering and abundant sun, preferring fresh air and diffused light. Otherwise, the tomato loses its exquisite taste.

How to create conditions for joint planting

Proper care will create favorable conditions for plant growth.

Watering

Only warm, settled water is suitable for both plants. You need to water tomatoes without touching the leaves, but cucumbers, in turn, love water from the leaves to the roots. Cucumbers like daily watering, and tomatoes once every 3 days or a week.

Tying up

First tie up the cucumbers, then the tomatoes.

Top dressing

Tomatoes are fertilized about 4 times per season, cucumbers - 6 times. If mineral fertilizers are suitable first, then cucumbers do not mind eating manure, chicken droppings, etc.

IMPORTANT! Organic fertilizers, such as manure and droppings, retain heat, which has a beneficial effect on cucumbers. Therefore, you should not forget about feeding!

Mulching

For tomatoes, due to their inevitable “neighborhood” with cucumbers, mulching is mandatory. Sawdust, grass, and straw are best suited for these purposes.

How to plant cucumber and tomato seedlings in one greenhouse

Landing:

• seedlings become resistant to diseases;
• Plant cucumbers at a temperature of 10 degrees outside, tomatoes - from 8;
• seedlings are moved from the container into holes slightly deeper than the seedling itself;
• when seating, use the above seating options, the most successful is chess;
• Sprinkle the seedlings with a solution that prevents root rot.

Tips from Mister Summer Resident

Some advice from our portal https://mrdachnik.com. The practice of horticulture and plant growing shows that to increase the yield of crops one should:

• ensure that the daily range of air temperatures is less than +5 degrees;
• Orient the greenhouse from north to south, while:
• plant cucumbers on the north side;
• allocate the southern part to tomatoes;
• choose self-pollinating varieties whose flowering period does not coincide;
• During the day, during flowering, shake the plants to promote self-pollination.

How to prepare a polycarbonate greenhouse for growing cucumbers and tomatoes in one greenhouse

It is best to maintain conditions for growing vegetables when living together using a hydrometer and thermometer.

A hydrometer is a godsend for such cases. It controls the amount of water without overloading the soil and giving excess moisture to the desired crop. In addition, in the cucumber part of the greenhouse you can place containers with water (barrels) for evaporation.

ATTENTION! Add hydrogel granules to each hole with cucumbers (about half a glass per planting hole).

How to sow correctly?

A successful harvest depends not only on compliance with all climatic conditions, but also on how to properly plant seedlings previously grown from seeds. Before this, you need to properly prepare the greenhouse:

• carry out complete disinfection (read more about how to treat tomato seeds before sowing in a separate material);
• prepare soil;
• at a level of 1-2 meters from the bed, pull the fishing line for a leash;
• form beds in the greenhouse about 40 cm high and about 90 cm wide.
• How to fertilize the beds.

You may be interested in looking at our materials about other methods of growing tomato seedlings: in twists, using peat tablets, without picking, and also in the Chinese way.

The technique of planting vegetables is not much different from each other. This happens according to this scheme:

• holes are dug in the beds, slightly larger than a seedling;
• a seedling with soil from a pot is planted in a hole;
• seedlings are planted at a distance of up to 50 cm from each other in a checkerboard pattern;
• then the seedlings are sprayed with a special solution against root rot.

Separation

You can divide the soil between the beds in the greenhouse using an iron sheet along the entire planting. This will help avoid water “flowing” when watering cucumbers to tomatoes. There is another way to divide the plot. To do this, you need to create three beds:

1. The northern part of the greenhouse is suitable for cucumbers. It is the coolest and dampest.
2. Planting tomatoes is optimal in the middle part, as it is best ventilated here.
3. In the southern bed, where there is a lot of sun and warmth, you can plant any type of pepper (how to grow peppers and tomatoes together?).

Zoning

To create your own climate, which is required for these vegetables, you need to create an artificial barrier between them. You can stretch regular cling film between the beds from the soil level to the very top of the greenhouse. Before zoning the room, it is advisable to make another entrance on the opposite side of the greenhouse. This will allow you to easily move from one artificially created “compartment” of the greenhouse to another.

Hydrogel

Another way to avoid excess moisture getting into the tomatoes when watering cucumbers is to use a hydrogel that contains polymers. When wet, it absorbs liquid and expands greatly. Adding it to the soil when planting cucumbers will make caring for vegetables easier.