Leeks (Allium porrum) are a garden crop that doesn't require much maintenance. However, she is prone to pests, so choosing good neighbors to support the leek is beneficial.

In a nutshell

  • Zucchini and cucumber are good neighbors
  • Umbelliferous plants such as parsnip or carrot drive away the leek moth
  • Leeks prevent fungal infections in strawberries
  • keep a sufficient distance from cabbages such as head cabbage or kohlrabi
  • other leeks are not good neighbors

Good neighbors for leeks

A mixed culture is understood to mean the cultivation of different plants, especially in the vegetable and herb garden, which influence each other positively. Below is a list of 19 good neighbors for leeks.

A to G

Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus)

  • conditionally frost-resistant (winter protection required)
  • can be cultivated for several years
  • elaborate culture
  • high nutrient requirements
  • high space requirement
  • good ground cover

Endive (Cichorium endivia)

  • ideal post-culture in autumn
  • more complex in the preculture
  • frost tolerant
  • low nutrient requirements

Strawberries (Fragaria)

  • do not need to be replanted every year
  • as a perennial crop, there must always be enough space for leeks
  • form runners, which take away the resources of the leek
  • easy to propagate via stolons
  • easy-care culture
  • Leeks protect strawberries from fungal infections
  • prefer once bearing varieties
  • do not tolerate heavy nitrogen fertilization

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

  • rather neutral neighbor
  • elaborate culture
  • short culture period
  • can also be used as an afterculture
  • medium nutritional requirements

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)

  • low maintenance
  • preferably use field cucumbers
  • Preculture or no-till possible
  • good ground cover
  • high nutrient requirements
  • susceptible to powdery mildew

K

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

  • simple culture
  • early planting possible
  • can be heaped together with leeks
  • more of a neutral neighbor
  • high nutrient requirements
  • moderate water requirement

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes)

  • short culture period
  • can be planted in multiple sets
  • simple preculture
  • medium nutritional requirements
  • medium space requirement
  • low maintenance
  • constant water supply required

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata)

White cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. alba)
  • requires a lot of space
  • high nitrogen requirement
  • prefer to plant varieties for fall harvest
  • Leeks keep veggie owl (Lacanobia (Diataraxia) oleracea) away from cabbage

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata)

  • fast growing culture
  • needs extra protection from snails
  • little need for space
  • shades soil and prevents evaporation
  • can be continuously replanted
  • low nutrient requirements

Tip: Instead of planting lettuce, you can cut lettuce right between the leeks as direct neighbors (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) sow well. It has the advantage that it can be harvested several times before it flowers.

M to R

Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)

  • Direct sowing possible
  • Seedling sensitive to drought
  • Distances depend on the variety
  • require loose, sandy soil
  • prefer nutrient-rich soils

Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa)

  • Direct sowing or preculture possible
  • can stand in the bed over the winter
  • high nutrient requirements
  • mutual protection from harmful insects
  • higher space requirement compared to carrots

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

  • Direct sowing or preculture possible
  • medium to high nutrient requirements
  • bows leek moth (Acrolepiopsis assectella).
  • Curly and cut parsley are good ground cover plants

Notice: All types of parsley are well suited as neighbors for leeks. With curly and cut parsley, you must ensure that there is sufficient planting distance.

Radish (Raphanus sativus convar. sativus)

  • Direct sowing or preculture possible
  • medium nutritional requirements
  • keeps leek moth away
  • susceptible to pests in summer
  • tends to shoot at high temperatures
  • good ground cover
  • short culture period

S to Z

Salsify (Scorzonera hispanica)

  • Prefer no-till
  • little need for space
  • high nutrient requirements
  • sandy and loose soil preferred

Celery (Apium graveolens)

  • slight repellent properties of leeks in voles
  • expensive in the preculture
  • high nutrient requirements
  • some varieties are susceptible to rust fungi

Notice: Both celeriac and celery are good neighbors for the leek. With celeriac, the planting distance must be slightly larger, as it grows more widely.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

  • short culture period
  • less suitable for summer cultivation
  • preferably use as a pre- or post-culture
  • low nutrient requirements
  • good ground cover

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)

  • protects tomatoes from whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
  • Tomato, in turn, keeps leek moth away
  • preferably use slim-growing varieties (salad or beefsteak tomatoes)
  • high nutrient requirements
  • simple preculture

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

  • perennial
  • can be propagated by division
  • must be trimmed regularly
  • low nutrient requirements
  • low water requirement
  • keeps leek moth away

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo var. giromontiina)

  • do not plant climbing varieties
  • Leeks suitable as space-saving underplanting
  • good ground cover
  • high nutrient requirements
  • Plants remain after the first frost, thereby protecting the soil around the leeks
  • simple culture
  • Direct sowing or preculture possible

Bad neighbors

Various legumes should not be in the immediate vicinity. Various types of beets or close relatives of beets are also not good neighbors for leeks.

Bad neighbors are:

  • Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
  • Peas (Pisum sativum)
  • Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris)
  • May turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa var. majalis)
  • Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)
Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and onions (Allium cepa)

Leeks belong to the leek family. Therefore, other leeks are also bad neighbors, as they would encourage the spread of diseases and pests in the immediate vicinity.

Therefore, avoid the following crops in the immediate vicinity:

  • Spring onion (Allium fistulosum)
  • Garlic (Allium sativum)
  • Pearl onion (Allium porrum var. sectivum)
  • Shallots (Allium ascalonicum)
  • Chives (Allium tuberosum)
  • Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
  • Onion (Allium cepa)

frequently asked Questions

How big does the distance have to be with bad neighbors?

It is sufficient if bad neighbors are not right next to the leek. If there are good neighbors right next to the leek and an unsuitable neighboring culture for leeks after the suitable neighbors, this is sufficient planting distance.

How big is the influence of good neighbors?

In the case of strong pest pressure, suitable plant neighbors often no longer help and the leek is still infested. The situation is different with cultures that have a positive effect on growth or create a suitable microclimate around the leek.

Can alternate cultures stand next to the leek?

Yes, if you have harvested lettuce, for example, you can use radishes as an after-culture. Changing subsequent crops also prevents the spread of diseases and pests.

Category:

Vegetable garden