You can definitely plant mustard with tomatoes! In fact, it can be quite beneficial to do so. Mustard greens can act as a cover crop prior to growing tomatoes, helping to reduce the prevalence of a common tomato disease called verticillium wilt. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when planting mustard with tomatoes.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the benefits of planting mustard with tomatoes come from using the mustard as a cover crop, rather than as a companion plant. This means that you would typically grow the mustard greens in the same area where you plan to grow the tomatoes, but at a different time.
To use mustard greens as a cover crop, you would plant them a few weeks before you plan to plant your tomatoes. The mustard greens should be allowed to grow and establish themselves in the soil for a period of time, usually around 6-8 weeks. During this time, the mustard plants will help to suppress weeds, improve soil structure, and release organic matter into the soil as they grow.
One of the key benefits of using mustard greens as a cover crop is their ability to reduce the incidence of verticillium wilt in tomatoes. Verticillium wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that can cause wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth in tomato plants. Mustard plants naturally produce compounds called glucosinolates, which are released into the soil when the plants are turned into the soil.
These glucosinolates have been shown to have biofumigant properties, meaning they can help to suppress soil-borne pathogens like the verticillium wilt fungus. When the mustard greens are turned into the soil prior to planting tomatoes, the glucosinolates are released and can help to reduce the population of the verticillium wilt fungus in the soil.
However, it’s important to note that timing is crucial when using mustard greens as a cover crop to suppress verticillium wilt. The mustard plants should be turned into the soil a few weeks before planting tomatoes, allowing enough time for the glucosinolates to be released and for the soil to “mellow” before the tomatoes are planted. If the mustard plants are turned in too close to planting time, the breakdown of the glucosinolates can actually release compounds that are harmful to the tomato plants.
In addition to their disease-suppressing properties, mustard greens can also provide other benefits to the soil. They have deep taproots that can help to break up compacted soil and improve drainage. Their rapid growth also helps to prevent erosion and add organic matter to the soil when they are turned in.
In my personal experience, I have found success in using mustard greens as a cover crop before planting tomatoes. I have noticed a decrease in the incidence of verticillium wilt and overall healthier tomato plants when I have incorporated mustard greens into my garden rotation. However, it’s important to note that every garden is unique, and results may vary depending on factors such as soil conditions, climate, and specific tomato varieties.
Planting mustard with tomatoes can be beneficial when used as a cover crop to suppress verticillium wilt. By planting mustard greens a few weeks before planting tomatoes and turning them into the soil, you can release compounds that help to reduce the population of the verticillium wilt fungus. However, it’s important to time the incorporation of the mustard greens correctly to avoid any negative effects on the tomato plants. Mustard greens can also provide other soil-improving benefits, such as breaking up compacted soil and adding organic matter.
