Companion planting guide › Tomato and Brussels sprouts ("bad neighbors")

Tomato and Brussels sprouts ("bad neighbors"): does it work?

Folklore-unproven Popular claim without supporting field evidence, or tested and not supported.

No yield advantage was found growing them together, but there is no evidence of a special antagonism either; Brussels sprouts are simply strong competitors.

1. Bomford M.K. (2004). Yield, pest density, and tomato flavor effects of companion planting in garden-scale studies incorporating tomato, basil, and Brussels sprout. West Virginia University dissertation.
2. Bomford M.K., Butler L. Do Tomatoes Love Basil But Hate Brussels Sprouts? ASA–CSSA–SSSA meeting abstract (2003).

Mechanism

Competition for water and light, not chemical "dislike".

What the research found

• Tomato–Brussels sprout pairs showed no relative-yield advantage (Bomford 2004).
• Competition for water and light was higher in treatments containing Brussels sprout (Bomford & Butler abstract).

Caveats

Limited to garden-scale WV trials.