Cucurbits and companion planting

[endymion]

We carefully planned our veg patch with 'companion planting' in mind, but have managed to get confused, again, by some of the online information.

We'd planned for the squash, cucumber and courgettes to grow close to Jerusalem Artichokes because they're all Cucurbits.

The thing is that some sites say this 'companion' is okay for outdoor cucumbers but not for squash.

Does anybody have any idea why there might be a difference?

[Two_Sheds]

are you sure JAs are cucurbits?

[endymion]

are you sure JAs are cucurbits?

Err, no, bad punctuation.

Cucumbers, squash and courgettes are cucurbits. Cucumbers are meant to grow happily alongside, or amongst, Jerusalem Artichokes but some sources suggest that squash won't thrive in the same position - hence the confusion.

[Two_Sheds]

I haven't been able to find anything regarding JAs as a companion plant. I do know they're often grown as a windbreak (ironic really).
Sunflowers (and JAs are a sunflower) are supposed to repel other plants growing near them, but I've found this to be completely untrue: they seed themselves in all my veg beds with no probs. I wouldn't do that with JAs though, because you'll never get all the roots out: keep them in one place