Grow Bigger Better Potatoes With The Right Companion Plants

Grow Bigger Better Potatoes with the Right Companion Plants

Potatoes are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in many different ways. But did you know that you can grow bigger and better potatoes by planting them with the right companion plants?

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different types of plants together in order to benefit each other. By planting the right companion plants with your potatoes, you can improve their growth, flavor, and yield.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best companion plants for potatoes, as well as some of the benefits of companion planting. We will also provide some tips on how to plant and care for your potato plants.

Benefits of Companion Planting

There are many benefits to companion planting, including:

• Improved growth and yield: Companion plants can help to improve the growth and yield of your potatoes by providing them with nutrients, water, and shade.
• Better flavor: Companion plants can also help to improve the flavor of your potatoes by deterring pests and diseases.
• Reduced pest and disease pressure: Companion plants can help to reduce pest and disease pressure by attracting beneficial insects and repelling harmful ones.
• Increased biodiversity: Companion planting can help to increase biodiversity in your garden by providing a habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Best Companion Plants for Potatoes

Some of the best companion plants for potatoes include:

• Legumes: Legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils, are a great companion plant for potatoes because they fix nitrogen in the soil. This helps to improve the growth and yield of your potatoes.
• Cabbage family plants: Cabbage family plants, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, are also a good companion plant for potatoes. These plants have shallow root systems that do not compete with the deep roots of potatoes.
• Aromatic herbs: Aromatic herbs, such as chives, garlic, and onions, can help to deter pests and diseases from your potato plants.
• Sunflowers: Sunflowers can help to attract beneficial insects to your garden, which can help to control pests.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are another great plant for attracting beneficial insects. They can also help to repel nematodes, which are a pest that can damage potato plants.

How to Plant and Care for Potato Companion Plants

When planting companion plants with your potatoes, it is important to consider the spacing requirements of each plant. For example, legumes need more space than cabbage family plants.

It is also important to plant companion plants at the same time as your potatoes. This will help to ensure that they get off to a good start.

Once your companion plants have been planted, you will need to care for them just as you would any other plant in your garden. This includes watering, fertilizing, and weeding.

Conclusion

Companion planting is a great way to improve the growth, yield, and flavor of your potatoes. By planting the right companion plants with your potatoes, you can also help to reduce pest and disease pressure.

If you are new to companion planting, start by planting a few of the companion plants that we have mentioned in this blog post. You will be surprised at how much of a difference they can make in the health and productivity of your potato plants.

Growing potatoes in containers is a great way to save space in your garden and enjoy fresh potatoes all season long. But did you know that there are certain companion plants that can help improve the growth and health of your potato plants?

Gardenia Inspiration is a great resource for information about companion planting for potatoes. On their website, you can find a list of the best companion plants for potatoes, as well as tips on how to plant and care for them.

Some of the best companion plants for potatoes in containers include:

• Alyssum: This ground-cover flower attracts beneficial insects and helps to deter pests.
• Beans: Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil.
• Carrots: Carrots help to suppress the growth of nematodes, which can be a problem for potato plants.
• Chives: Chives repel aphids and other pests.
• Cilantro: Cilantro helps to improve the flavor of potatoes.

FAQ of companion plants for potatoes in containers

Question 1: What are the best companion plants for potatoes in containers?

Answer: Some of the best companion plants for potatoes in containers include:

• Alyssum: This ground-cover flower attracts beneficial insects and serves as a natural mulch to retain soil moisture and deter weeds.
• Cabbage family plants: These plants have shallow root systems that won't compete with the potato plant for space or nutrients.
• Corn: Corn is a nitrogen-fixing plant that can help to improve the soil for the potato plant.
• Chives: Chives repel pests such as aphids and mosquitoes.
• Cilantro: Cilantro attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies.

Question 2: What plants should I avoid planting near potatoes in containers?

Answer: Some plants that you should avoid planting near potatoes in containers include:

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and potatoes are both susceptible to the same pests and diseases, so planting them together can increase the risk of infection.
• Eggplants: Eggplants are also susceptible to the same pests and diseases as potatoes, so it's best to avoid planting them together.
• Peppers: Peppers can compete with potatoes for nutrients, so it's best to avoid planting them together.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers and potatoes have different water needs, so planting them together can lead to problems with overwatering or underwatering.
• Pumpkins/Squash: Pumpkins and squash can take up a lot of space, so it's best to avoid planting them near potatoes in containers.

Question 3: How far apart should I plant companion plants with potatoes in containers?

Answer: The spacing requirements for companion plants with potatoes in containers will vary depending on the specific plants you are growing. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should plant companion plants at least 12 inches apart from each other.

Question 4: When should I plant companion plants with potatoes in containers?

Answer: You should plant companion plants with potatoes in containers at the same time you plant the potato plant. This will give the companion plants time to establish themselves before the potato plant starts to grow vigorously.

Question 5: How do companion plants benefit potatoes in containers?

Answer: Companion plants can benefit potatoes in containers in a number of ways, including:

• Attracting beneficial insects: Some companion plants, such as chives and cilantro, attract beneficial insects that help to control pests.
• Reducing the risk of disease: Some companion plants, such as marigolds, help to reduce the risk of disease by attracting predatory insects that prey on pests.
• Improving the soil: Some companion plants, such as beans and peas, fix nitrogen in the soil, which can help to improve the soil quality for the potato plant.
• Decreasing competition for resources: Companion plants with different root systems and water needs can help to decrease competition for resources between the potato plant and other plants in the container.

Image of companion plants for potatoes in containers

5 different images of companion plants for potatoes in containers from Pinterest:

• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are a great companion plant for potatoes because they help to deter pests. They also attract pollinators, which can help to improve the yield of your potato crop.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are another good companion plant for potatoes because they help to repel nematodes, which are pests that can damage potato roots. They also help to improve the drainage of the soil, which is important for potatoes.
• Chives: Chives are a great culinary herb that can also be grown as a companion plant for potatoes. They help to repel aphids and other pests, and they also improve the flavor of potatoes.
• Beans: Beans are a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that they can help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil. This is beneficial for potatoes, which are heavy feeders.
• Onions: Onions are another good companion plant for potatoes because they help to repel root knot nematodes. They also help to improve the flavor of potatoes.