How to Plant Cucumbers With Peppers

Cucumbers perform well with several crops, acting as a companion plant, but extension resources do not consider peppers and cucumbers companions. Even so, the plants serve the general purpose of companion plants, allowing you to save space by planting the two crops together. Both peppers and cucumbers are warm-season vegetables. Peppers prefer daytime temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while cucumbers are slightly more tolerant of higher temperatures in the range of 75 to 85 F. Plant both after all risk of frost has passed. Peppers perform well from transplants; cucumbers may be started with transplants or by direct-seeding.

Things You'll Need

• Nasturtium, tansy and radishes
• Tomatoes and borage
• Stakes
• Twine

Instructions

1. Select and prepare an area offering the basic conditions that both plants need. Cucumbers and peppers require a well-drained, loam or sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.8.

2. Interplant the plant allies tansy, nasturtium and radishes around and between your peppers and cucumbers to deter striped cucumber beetles. Despite their name, cucumber beetles trouble both peppers and cucumbers. Tansy deters other beetles and insects. Nasturtiums deter pests from aphids to beetles and improve both the growth and flavor of cucumbers. Leave radishes in place or plant them several inches from your crops, as pulling them may disturb delicate plant roots.

3. Consider planting a bed with cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. Tomatoes get along with both crops, and borage both improves tomato flavor and attracts beneficial insects such as pollinating bees that are needed for good fruit set in cucumbers. Peppers self-pollinate, but the presence of bees helps ensure high fruit quality. Having a variety of plants also attracts beneficial insects and confuses insect pests.

4. Install a system of support for both crops at the time you plant your peppers and cucumbers. Trellised cucumbers can provide shade, helping to prevent sunscald in peppers. Peppers benefit from added support when producing heavily, and supports reduce sunscald damage. Use stake and twine supports for peppers. You could use the same stakes to support both your pepper plants and your cucumber trellis.

5. Leave plenty of space between your plants. Both cucumbers and peppers are troubled by many fungal diseases, and the plants require good air circulation. Plant four to five seeds per foot for trellised cucumbers, leaving 30 inches between the rows. Peppers need at least 12 to 18 inches between plants and 24 inches between rows.

6. Water both peppers and cucumbers to a depth of 6 inches. Both are shallow-rooted crops, but the soil around them should receive a thorough soaking, rather than a light, surface-level watering. This is particularly important when the plants are setting and developing fruit. You should water both cucumbers and peppers at ground level.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using basil. While basil is recommended for use as a companion with sweet peppers, and many herbs make good companions for crops, cucumbers do not perform well with aromatic herbs.

References

• Penn State Cooperative Extension; Companion Plants; Chris Mayer; March 2003
• Cornell Cooperative Extension; Companion Planting; May 1999
• Washington State University, Clark County Extension; Companion Planting; August 1999
• Ohio State University Extension; Growing Cucumbers in the Home Garden; Pamela J. Bennett
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Pepper; Robert J. Dufault, et al.; April 2003
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Cucumber; Nancy Doubrava, et al.; April 2003

Resources

• Ohio State University Extension; Growing Peppers in the Home Garden; Marianne Riofrio
• University of Missouri Extension; Growing Sweet Peppers in Missouri; Lewis W. Jett; April 2010
• Iowa State University Extension; Peppers; Eldon Everhart, et al.; June 2009