What veggies can I grow next to tomatoes?Zucchini, peppers(all), and onions OK?

Question

I do have lots of squirrels, birds, and raccoon. How deep should my raised bed be?

Answer 1

All the plants you listed are good companion plants but I like to grow basil around my tomatoes. Basil atrracts pollinators, is an annual, and goes well in Salsa and spaghetti sauce. As for squirrels and raccoons, I plant garlic around the entire edge of the garden and completely around the raised bed. Garlic discourages a lot of pests. Birds will not harm your crops unless you are talking blueberries and raspberries. The only thing birds will really want in your veggies is the bugs that are destroying veggies. Your raised bed should be at least a foot deep or more if you are planting any veggie with a tap root. Lettuce, spinach, any of these plant that do not have tap roots will do fine in 6 to 8 inches. If squirrels start to bother your tomatoes, put cayenne pepper sauce or other hot chile sauce on the bottom of the tomatoes. After a few hot tomatoes, the squirrels usually stop. The pepper sauce washes off so it wont affect your taste buds.

Answer 2

I like to plant peas and get them in the ground early, like now! And you cas set out green peppers right next to tomatoes and put your onion sets which you can get at the hardware store and put onions right in amongst your tomatoes because they will be ready to harvest before your tomatoes plants get real big. You can plant basil close to tomatoes, too!
Good luck!
Your raised bed should be high enough that excess water will drain. I have never had to use a raised bed, and I suppose the purpose is to plant in a shallow area to promote proper drainage or to enrich very poor soil.

Answer 3

All three of the vegetables you mentioned are good companion plants for tomatos.

Raised beds should be 12"-16" (30 cm-40 cm) minimum.

Raised beds won't prevent squirrels, birds, and raccoons. You could have beds 10 feet tall and all three animals would find their way into them.