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Growing Tomatoes

Why no tomatoes near four o'clocks or other nightshade plants?

13 years ago

When I was looking up poisonous plants to keep out of the garden now that I have a small child (darn it! there goes my monkshood, morning glories, foxgloves, delphiniums, etc.), I kept reading an additional warning for nightshade plants like four o' clocks and flowering tobacco not to plant them near vegetables of the nightshade family like tomatoes, peppers or eggplants. Anyone know why this shouldn't be done?

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Comments (4)

karendee
13 years ago
four o' clocks are also poisonous from what I hear. Maybe they could harm the tomatoes.

I planted them because Japanese beetles eat them and die.

I am sure the tomato experts can help more.
digdirt2
13 years ago
What was the source of this info? What reason did it give for this? If it said don't do it but didn't say why then I wouldn't accept the info as valid. There are all sorts of claims made that don't hold up to practical scrutiny. If this is one of those "companion planting" issues then you might want to ask over on the Companion Planting forum as they have their own set of rules etc. that aren't commonly accepted by others.

Other than that they can attract the same pests I don't know of any reason for the claim. But I will add that I don't think most folks would plant 4 o'clocks or flowering tobacco by their tomato or pepper plants anyway so can I ask why you would want to?

Dave
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californian
13 years ago
Four O'Clocks aka Marvel of Peru sprout all over my property. I have never noticed them doing any harm to my tomatoes, and I typically grow at least 20 varieties. And I haven't been poisoned yet because I am still alive and kicking.
Bees and hummingbirds feed on their nectar, so how poisonous can they be? The flowers are also colorful and smell nice.
helenh
13 years ago
I have four o clocks everywhere but not near tomatoes because I dig up that area. I also have Japanese Beetles and have not seen any drop dead yet. I think the big seeds might be something a child would eat. I can't see a child eating flowering tobacco. Both of those plants reseed like mad so it is probably not a good idea to plant them in you veggie garden. I like flowers with vegetables because I am more likely to pull weeds and water if flowers are there. Pratical people (men) usually don't see the use of having them there.

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