What Can You Plant With Potatoes? Companion Planting Tips
What Can You Plant With Potatoes?
You can plant a variety of companion plants with potatoes, including Agastache, Alyssum, Amaranth, Ammi, Asparagus, Basil, Broad beans, Bush beans, Pole beans, Soya beans, Beets, Borage, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Squash, Melons, Cucumbers, Chamomile, Dill, Rosemary, Sage, Buckwheat, Calendula, Carrots, Chives, Catnip, Celery, Onion, Radish, Chervil, White flowering mums, Cilantro, Clover, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Parsley, Peas, Sunflower, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Mint, Melons, Oats, Oregano, Phacelia, Peppers, Radishes, Rosemary, Rudbeckia, Fall rye, Scabiosa, Spinach, Swiss chard, Thyme, Tithonia, Tomatoes, and Yarrow.
However, plants such as Beets (near pole beans), Eggplants, Peppers, Tomatoes, Dill, Parsnips, Asparagus, Brassicas, Carrots, Cucumber, Kohlrabi, Melons, Parsnips, Rutabaga, Squash, Sunflower, Turnips, and Walnut trees should be avoided when planting near potatoes.
It is important to do further research and experimentation to find the best companion plants for your specific gardening conditions.
Key Points:
- Companion plants that can be planted with potatoes include:
- Agastache
- Alyssum
- Amaranth
- Ammi
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Broad beans
- Bush beans
- Pole beans
- Soya beans
- Beets
- Borage
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Squash
- Melons
- Cucumbers
- Chamomile
- Dill
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Buckwheat
- Calendula
- Carrots
- Chives
- Catnip
- Celery
- Onion
- Radish
- Chervil
- White flowering mums
- Cilantro
- Clover
- Coreopsis
- Cosmos
- Parsley
- Peas
- Sunflower
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Mint
- Melons
- Oats
- Oregano
- Phacelia
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Rosemary
- Rudbeckia
- Fall rye
- Scabiosa
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Thyme
- Tithonia
- Tomatoes
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Yarrow
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Beets, Eggplants, Peppers, Tomatoes, Dill, Parsnips, Asparagus, Brassicas, Carrots, Cucumber, Kohlrabi, Melons, Parsnips, Rutabaga, Squash, Sunflower, Turnips, and Walnut trees should not be planted near potatoes.
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Further research and experimentation is necessary to determine the best companion plants for specific gardening conditions.
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that planting marigolds alongside your potatoes can help repel harmful insects like aphids and nematodes? The strong aroma of marigold acts as a natural pesticide, protecting your potato crop.
2. Another surprising plant that can be planted alongside potatoes is horseradish. Horseradish acts as a natural fungicide and can help prevent diseases like late blight and scab from affecting your potatoes.
3. If you’re looking to enhance the growth of your potatoes, consider planting them with comfrey. Comfrey is a nutrient-rich plant that can improve the soil quality and promote better yields in your potato patch.
4. Did you know that potatoes and beans make excellent companions in the garden? This dynamic duo not only complements each other’s growth, but they also provide a mutually beneficial relationship. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which is essential for the healthy growth of potatoes.
5. For an unconventional combination, consider planting potatoes with sweet peas. While sweet peas are not typically associated with potatoes, they help attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which can aid in pollination and enhance potato yields.
Suitable Companion Plants For Potatoes
When it comes to planting potatoes, choosing the right companion plants can greatly benefit their growth and overall health. Suitable companion plants for potatoes include a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Planting these alongside potatoes can provide benefits such as pest control, improved soil health, and enhanced flavor.
Some suitable companion plants for potatoes include:
- Agastache
- Alyssum
- Amaranth
- Ammi
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Broad beans
- Bush beans
- Pole beans
- Soya beans
- Beets
- Borage
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Squash
- Melons
- Cucumbers
- Chamomile
- Dill
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Buckwheat
- Calendula
- Carrots
- Chives
- Catnip
- Celery
- Onion
- Radish
- Chervil
- White flowering mums
- Cilantro
- Clover
- Coreopsis
- Cosmos
- Parsley
- Peas
- Sunflower
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Mint
- Oats
- Oregano
- Phacelia
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Rudbeckia
- Fall rye
- Scabiosa
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Thyme
- Tithonia
- Yarrow
By planting these companion plants alongside potatoes, you can create a diverse and thriving garden ecosystem.
Recommended Plants To Plant Alongside Potatoes
Potatoes have the ability to form beneficial relationships with certain plants, which can enhance their growth and resistance against pests and diseases. To improve potato growth, it is recommended to plant agastache and alyssum alongside them. These plants attract beneficial insects such as pollinators and predatory wasps, which help control pests. Another beneficial companion plant for potatoes is asparagus, which is known for its ability to repel nematodes, a common pest for potatoes.
Amaranth and ammi plants can provide shade to potato plants, which in turn helps reduce weed growth. Basil, broad beans, and pole beans enrich the soil with nitrogen through their root nodules, benefiting the growth of potatoes.
If you want to maximize space in your garden and create an visually appealing planting scheme, consider planting tomatoes, strawberries, squash, melons, and cucumbers alongside potatoes. This not only utilizes the available space efficiently but also adds diversity to your garden.
Avoid These Plants Near Potatoes
While companion planting can have numerous benefits for potatoes, there are certain plants that should be avoided when planting them nearby.
- Beets, when planted near pole beans, can attract pests that may harm both the beans and potatoes.
- Eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes are believed to have similar disease and pest susceptibilities as potatoes, so planting them together increases the risk of cross-contamination.
- Dill, parsnips, asparagus, and brassicas such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, and turnips can negatively affect the growth of potatoes.
- Additionally, carrots, cucumbers, kohlrabi, melons, parsnips, rutabaga, squash, sunflower, turnips, and walnut trees are also not recommended to be planted near potatoes due to potential competition for nutrients or increased risk of disease and pest problems.
Compatible Plants To Grow With Potatoes
In addition to the recommended companion plants, there are several compatible plants that can be grown alongside potatoes to create a healthy and productive garden ecosystem. Consider planting herbs such as chamomile, dill, rosemary, sage, and thyme, as they can help repel pests and attract beneficial insects. Flowers like buckwheat, calendula, chervil, white flowering mums, cilantro, clover, coreopsis, cosmos, marigolds, nasturtiums, phacelia, radishes, rosemary, rudbeckia, scabiosa, sunflower, tithonia, and yarrow can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects to the garden. Peas and beans, including bush beans, pole beans, and soya beans, are excellent companion plants for potatoes as they are part of the legume family and can fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil. Swiss chard and spinach can also be grown alongside potatoes, providing a variety of greens for the garden.
Tips For Finding The Best Companion Plants For Potatoes
When it comes to finding the best companion plants for potatoes, it is important to consider your specific gardening conditions. Factors such as climate, soil type, and available sunlight can influence the suitability of plants as companions for potatoes.
Conduct research on the specific pests and diseases that commonly affect potatoes in your region and choose companion plants that can help repel or control them. Experimentation is key, as individual results may vary.
Make note of which companion plants thrive alongside potatoes and which ones may cause issues, and adjust your garden plan accordingly. By observing and experimenting, you can find the best companion plants that will support the growth and health of your potatoes, creating a harmonious and thriving garden.
- Consider climate, soil type, and available sunlight when selecting companion plants for potatoes.
- Research and identify pests and diseases that commonly affect potatoes in your region.
- Choose companion plants that can repel or control these pests and diseases.
- Experiment and observe the results to find the most suitable companion plants for potatoes.
- Adjust your garden plan based on the success or challenges experienced with different companion plants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should you not plant next to potatoes?
One should avoid planting tomatoes next to potatoes. Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family, just like potatoes, and share similar susceptibility to certain diseases and pests. Planting them together increases the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of diseases such as blight, which can significantly harm the potato crop.
What crop does potatoes grow best with?
Potatoes thrive best when grown alongside specific crops that promote their growth and deter pests. Some excellent companions for potatoes include bush beans, celery, corn, garlic, marigolds, onions, and peas. These complementary plants can enhance the potato’s overall health and yield. However, it is advisable to avoid planting potatoes near asparagus, Brassicas, carrots, cucumber, kohlrabi, melons, parsnips, rutabaga, squash, sunflower, and turnips, as they may hinder the potato’s growth or attract harmful pests.
Can you grow a plant with a potato?
Yes, you can definitely grow a plant with a potato! Even though seed potatoes are available for purchase, regular potatoes from your local supermarket, such as Russets, work just as well for indoor potato plants. Simply cut the potato into chunks that are no larger than 2 inches (5 cm) and ensure that each piece has a sprout or two, known as “eyes.” With these basic steps, you can successfully cultivate a potato plant from a humble supermarket spud.
Can I plant beetroot next to potatoes?
Yes, you can plant beetroot next to potatoes without any problems. They are compatible companions in the garden and can be grown alongside each other without any negative effects. In fact, planting these two root crops together can be beneficial as they have different nutrient requirements and root depths, allowing them to thrive in the same area without competing for resources.
Furthermore, if you want to protect your cabbages against cabbage moth, consider planting sage among them. Sage acts as a natural deterrent to cabbage moths, helping to reduce the risk of infestation. By strategically incorporating sage into your cabbage patch, you can create a healthier and more pest-resistant environment for your plants.