Question
Can these be planted next to each other?  I seem to recall doing so one year and thinking the tomatoes didn't taste like tomatoes.  How far apart should these be planted?  Thanks for your input.  I'm in Georgia

Answer
Sharon, there is no truth that tomatoes do not grow well near cucumbers. The key is planting space. Make sure to plant them at least two feet apart. Otherwise, they rob one another of nutrients, resulting in a lower harvest and substandard taste.

The two plants that do very well with tomatoes are basil and marigolds. Basil enhances the flavor of tomatoes, while marigolds emit a substance through their roots that deter nematodes in the soil. Nematodes are primary causes of root rot and other diseases in tomatoes.

I also recommend growing lettuce and radishes between tomato plants. They are both fast growers and will mature well before the tomatoes get large. An added benefit is that the tomatoes will shade the lettuce allowing you to grow lettuce in the warmer weather without danger of the plants bolting to seed.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike