Bad Companion Plants For Turnips That Will Ruin Your Harvest

Turnips are a cool-season vegetable that is easy to grow and can be a delicious addition to any garden. However, it is important to know which plants to avoid planting near turnips, as some companion plants can actually stunt their growth or attract pests.

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

Root Crops

One of the worst companion plants for turnips is any other root crop, such as carrots, beets, or potatoes. These plants all compete for the same nutrients and water, which can stunt the growth of your turnips.

Nightshades

Another group of plants that you should avoid planting near turnips are nightshades, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Nightshades can release toxins that can inhibit the growth of turnips.

Hedge Mustard

Hedge mustard is a member of the cabbage family, and like other cabbage family plants, it can attract pests such as cabbage moths and cabbage loopers. These pests can also damage your turnips.

Knotweed

Knotweed is an invasive plant that can quickly take over your garden. It can also shade out your turnips, preventing them from getting the sunlight they need to grow.

Horseradish

Horseradish and turnips are both members of the brassica family, and they share many of the same pests. Planting them near each other can make it more difficult to control pests.

Garlic

Garlic can actually repel some pests, but it can also stunt the growth of turnips. If you want to plant garlic in your garden, it is best to plant it in a separate area from your turnips.

Peas

Peas and turnips can inhibit each other's growth. If you plant them too close together, neither plant will grow properly.

Fennel

Fennel has a strong odor that can repel some pests, but it can also stunt the growth of turnips. If you want to plant fennel in your garden, it is best to plant it in a separate area from your turnips.

Black Walnut Trees

Black walnut trees release a toxin called juglone that can stunt the growth of many plants, including turnips. If you have a black walnut tree in your yard, it is best to plant your turnips in a different area.

Turnips are a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be grown in a variety of climates. However, it's important to know which plants to avoid planting near turnips, as some companion plants can stunt their growth or attract pests.

Some of the worst companion plants for turnips include:

• Root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and beets. These plants compete with turnips for nutrients and space, and can also harbor pests that can damage turnip crops.
• Nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Turnips can inhibit the growth of nightshades, and nightshades can attract pests that can damage turnips.
• Hedge mustard. This plant attracts cabbage whitefly, which can stunt the growth of turnips and damage their leaves.

If you're looking for a list of all the bad companion plants for turnips, I recommend visiting Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a comprehensive list of companion plants, as well as information on how to plant and care for turnips.

FAQ of bad companion plants for turnips

1. What are some bad companion plants for turnips?

Some bad companion plants for turnips include:

• Other root vegetables: Turnips compete with other root vegetables for space and nutrients, so it's best to avoid planting them near each other. This includes carrots, beets, potatoes, and parsnips.
• Nightshades: Nightshades, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, can stunt the growth of turnips. It's best to avoid planting them in the same garden bed.
• Knotweed: Knotweed is a fast-growing plant that can crowd out turnips. It's best to avoid planting them near each other.
• Hedge mustard: Hedge mustard can attract cabbage whitefly, which can damage turnips. It's best to avoid planting them near each other.
• Garlic: Garlic can suppress the growth of turnips. It's best to avoid planting them together.

2. Why are these plants bad companion plants for turnips?

The plants listed above are bad companion plants for turnips for a variety of reasons. Some compete with turnips for space and nutrients, while others can stunt their growth or attract pests. For example, root vegetables all grow underground and compete for the same space and nutrients. Nightshades can release toxins that inhibit the growth of turnips. Knotweed is a fast-growing plant that can crowd out turnips. Hedge mustard can attract cabbage whitefly, which can damage turnips. And garlic can suppress the growth of turnips.

3. What are some good companion plants for turnips?

Some good companion plants for turnips include:

• Beans: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit turnips.
• Cabbage: Cabbage can deter pests from turnips.
• Carrots: Carrots can help to repel pests from turnips.
• Garlic: Garlic can help to repel pests from turnips.
• Lettuce: Lettuce can help to shade the roots of turnips, which can help them to grow larger.

4. How can I avoid planting bad companion plants with my turnips?

To avoid planting bad companion plants with your turnips, it's important to do your research before you plant. There are a number of resources available online and in gardening books that can help you to identify good and bad companion plants. You can also talk to other gardeners in your area for advice.

5. What should I do if I accidentally plant bad companion plants with my turnips?

If you accidentally plant bad companion plants with your turnips, the best thing to do is to remove the bad companion plants as soon as possible. You may also want to consider replanting your turnips in a new location.

Image of bad companion plants for turnips

5 images of bad companion plants for turnips from Pinterest:

• Fennel: Fennel produces a strong odor that can stunt the growth of turnips.
• Peas: Peas compete with turnips for nitrogen in the soil.
• Potatoes: Potatoes and turnips are susceptible to the same pests and diseases.
• Horseradish: Horseradish is a root vegetable that can crowd out turnips.
• Beets: Beets and turnips are both members of the Brassica family and can cross-pollinate, resulting in inferior turnips.