What Grows Well With Potatoes: Companion Planting Tips
What Grows Well With Potatoes?
Potatoes grow well with several companion plants, including alyssum, basil, beans, cabbage, catnip, chamomile, coriander, corn, horseradish, lettuce, marigolds, nasturtium, parsley, peas, petunias, radishes, scallions, spinach, tansy, thyme, and yarrow.
Additionally, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, okra, onions, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, sunflowers, tomatoes, tomatillos, and turnips are suitable companions for potatoes.
Key Points:
- Potatoes grow well with:
- Alyssum
- Basil
- Beans
- Cabbage
- Catnip
- Chamomile
- Coriander
- Corn
- Horseradish
- Lettuce
- Marigolds
- Nasturtium
- Parsley
- Peas
- Petunias
- Radishes
- Scallions
- Spinach
- Tansy
- Thyme
- Yarrow
- Carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, okra, onions, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, sunflowers, tomatoes, tomatillos, and turnips are suitable companions for potatoes.
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that planting marigolds near your potato plants can help repel harmful pests? Marigolds emit a strong odor that acts as a natural deterrent for insects such as nematodes and aphids, keeping your potato crop safe.
2. Rosemary isn’t just a delicious herb for cooking; it also makes a great companion plant for potatoes! Rosemary’s strong scent can deter pests like the Colorado potato beetle and help improve the flavor of potatoes growing nearby.
3. If you’re looking for a natural way to suppress weeds around your potato plants, try planting buckwheat. This fast-growing cover crop not only adds valuable nutrients to the soil but also helps to choke out unwanted weeds, giving your potatoes a better chance to thrive.
4. Beans are excellent companion plants for potatoes due to their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. As legumes, beans have special bacteria in their roots that convert nitrogen from the air into a usable form for plants, which can greatly benefit the growth of your potato crop.
5. Have you ever considered planting horseradish alongside your potatoes? Horseradish contains compounds that deter pests like the potato tuber moth, which often plague potato plants. Plus, the horseradish leaves can provide some shade for the tubers, preventing them from turning green and becoming inedible.
Companion Plants For Potatoes
Potatoes are a versatile and popular vegetable that can be grown in many home gardens. They can also benefit from the presence of certain companion plants that help repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and improve soil health.
One excellent companion plant for potatoes is Alyssum. Alyssum is a low-growing flowering plant that releases a sweet fragrance, which can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. This, in turn, can increase the yield and quality of your potato crop. Additionally, Alyssum acts as a natural ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture.
Another beneficial companion for potatoes is beans. Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by other plants. Potatoes have high nitrogen requirements, so planting beans alongside them can help improve soil fertility by providing a natural source of nitrogen. In addition, beans help to deter pests like Colorado potato beetles by releasing a chemical called alpha-terthienyl. This chemical inhibits feeding and egg-laying by the beetles, which can help protect your potato plants.
Herbs That Thrive Alongside Potatoes
When it comes to herbs that thrive alongside potatoes, basil is a top choice. Basil has a strong scent that can repel pests such as aphids, mosquitoes, and flies. It also enhances the flavor of potatoes when cooked together.
Coriander is another herb that complements potatoes well, as its fresh and citrusy flavor adds a delightful twist to potato dishes. Furthermore, coriander can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which feed on aphids and other harmful pests.
Thyme is a versatile herb that grows well with potatoes. It acts as a natural deterrent for pests like cabbage moths and has antifungal properties that can protect potatoes from diseases like early blight and late blight.
Chamomile is another herb that can be grown alongside potatoes. Its delicate flowers attract beneficial insects while deterring harmful pests. Chamomile also improves soil health by adding organic matter when used as a mulch or compost ingredient.
- Basil repels pests like aphids, mosquitoes, and flies.
- Coriander attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
- Thyme acts as a natural deterrent for pests and protects against blight.
- Chamomile attracts beneficial insects and improves soil health.
Flowers To Plant With Potatoes
In addition to herbs, certain flowers can also serve as beneficial companions for potatoes. Marigolds, for example, are commonly used as companion plants due to their ability to repel nematodes, a type of soil-dwelling pest that can harm potatoes. Marigolds release a chemical called alpha-terthienyl, similar to the one produced by beans, which inhibits the feeding and reproduction of nematodes. Nasturtiums are another excellent flower to plant with potatoes. They attract predatory insects that feed on aphids, caterpillars, and other pests that can damage potato plants. Nasturtiums also act as a sacrificial plant, attracting pests away from your potato crop.
Vegetable Companions For Potatoes
When it comes to vegetable companions for potatoes, there are several options to consider. Cabbage, for instance, is a great choice as it can help deter pests like cabbage worms from attacking your potato plants. The strong scent of cabbage repels these pests, keeping your potato crop safe. Additionally, lettuce is a suitable companion, as it provides shade for the potatoes, helping to prevent the tubers from turning green and developing a bitter taste. Lettuce also acts as a living mulch, suppressing weed growth and conserving soil moisture.
Scallions and spinach are other vegetable companions that can be grown alongside potatoes. Scallions help protect potatoes from fungal diseases like late blight due to their sulfur compounds. Spinach, on the other hand, acts as a natural shade plant, reducing weed competition and protecting the potatoes from excessive sunlight, which can cause tuber greening.
Fruits And Vines That Grow Well With Potatoes
Potatoes can be complemented by the presence of fruits and vines in the garden. One fruit that pairs nicely with potatoes is tomatoes. Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the same plant family, and planting them together can help reduce the risk of diseases like late blight, which affects both crops. Additionally, tomatoes and potatoes have similar water and nutrient requirements, making them well-suited companions in terms of maintenance.
Cucumbers and melons are another fruit option that can be grown alongside potatoes. These vining plants can provide natural shade for the potato plants, helping to keep the soil cool and prevent tuber greening. They also have shallow root systems, which do not compete significantly with potatoes for nutrients.
Potatoes can benefit from the presence of a diverse range of companion plants. Alyssum, basil, beans, cabbage, catnip, chamomile, and coriander are just a few of the beneficial companions that can enhance the growth and health of potato plants. Additionally, marigolds, nasturtiums, and petunias offer pest-repelling properties that can protect potatoes from harmful insects. Vegetables including lettuce, peas, radishes, scallions, and spinach, as well as fruits like tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons, can also be wonderful companions for potatoes. By practicing companion planting, you can maximize the productivity and vitality of your potato garden.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What crop does potatoes grow best with?
Potatoes thrive when planted alongside crops such as bush beans, celery, corn, garlic, marigolds, onions, and peas. These companion plants provide beneficial outcomes for potatoes, whether it be improving soil nutrient levels, deterring pests, or promoting healthy growth. However, it is crucial to avoid planting potatoes near asparagus, Brassicas, carrots, cucumber, kohlrabi, melons, parsnips, rutabaga, squash, sunflower, and turnips, as they may hinder the potatoes’ development or attract unwanted pests.
What should you not plant next to potatoes?
When planning your garden, it is important to avoid planting certain crops next to potatoes to preserve their health and yield. Notably, fruit trees like apple, peach, and cherry should not be grown near potatoes due to the risk of blight, a devastating disease that can impact the potato crop. Additionally, vegetables such as cucumbers, eggplants, pumpkins, fennel, and tomatoes should be kept separate from potatoes to ensure optimal growth and productivity.
What is the best crop to follow potatoes?
One of the best crops to follow potatoes is legumes, such as beans and peas. Legumes have nitrogen-fixing properties, which means they can replenish the nitrogen levels in the soil that become depleted after growing potatoes. This not only improves soil fertility but also reduces the need for additional nitrogen fertilizers. Additionally, other crops like Cabbage, Corn, Eggplant, Squash, and Tomatoes can also be suitable options for crop rotation with potatoes, as they provide different nutrient requirements and help minimize pest and disease buildup in the soil. Consider these options to maintain a healthy and sustainable crop rotation system.
Where do potatoes grow best?
Potatoes thrive best in regions with well-drained, sandy soil due to their need for good drainage. This type of soil prevents issues related to disease and promotes healthy tuber growth. It is essential to have your soil tested to ensure optimal conditions for potato cultivation. Additionally, potatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 6 and 6.5, but they can tolerate even lower pH levels down to 5. So, finding areas or regions with these favorable soil characteristics ensures the ideal conditions for successful potato growth.