Planting Potatoes and Onions Together: A Guide

Are you wondering if you can plant potatoes and onions together in your garden? The answer is yes! Not only do these two vegetables complement each other in the kitchen, they can also thrive when planted together in the same bed. Here鈥檚 what you need to know about planting potatoes and onions together.

Why Plant Potatoes and Onions Together?

There are several benefits to planting potatoes and onions in the same bed. For one, onions can help repel pests that often attack potato plants, such as potato beetles and aphids. Onions can also deter other pests that are attracted to the smell of potatoes, like slugs and carrot flies.

In addition, potatoes and onions have different root systems that complement each other. Potatoes grow shallow roots while onions grow deep roots. This means that they won鈥檛 compete for nutrients and water in the same way, which can lead to better growth for both plants.

How to Plant Potatoes and Onions Together

When planting potatoes and onions together, start by preparing the soil. Both vegetables prefer well-draining soil that鈥檚 rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost or aged manure to ensure that it鈥檚 fertile enough to support two crops.

Next, plant onion sets in the bed first. Onions are typically planted in the fall or early spring, depending on your growing zone. The sets should be spaced about 6 inches apart and planted about 1 inch deep. Once the onions are in the ground, cover them with a layer of straw or mulch to help retain moisture.

A few weeks later, once the onion sets have started to grow, it鈥檚 time to plant the potatoes. Cut seed potatoes into pieces that have at least two eyes each, then plant them in holes about 4 inches deep and 2 feet apart. Cover the potatoes with soil and a layer of straw or mulch.

As the potato plants grow, they will eventually cover the bed. This is normal and shouldn鈥檛 be a cause for concern. Just be sure to water regularly and fertilize as needed to help support strong growth.

Harvesting Potatoes and Onions

Both potatoes and onions require some patience before they鈥檙e ready to harvest. Onions can be harvested once the tops start to dry out and fall over, usually in mid to late summer. Lift the onions out of the soil and lay them out to dry in a warm, dry place for a few weeks before storing.

Potatoes are typically harvested in late summer or early fall, depending on the variety. Cut off the foliage when it starts to die back, then dig up the potatoes from the ground. Brush off any dirt and let them dry out in a cool, dark place for a few days before storing.

Conclusion

Planting potatoes and onions together is a great way to get more out of your garden space. Not only do these two vegetables complement each other in the kitchen, they can also provide mutual benefits when planted together in the same bed. Follow our guide and you鈥檒l be on your way to a bountiful harvest of delicious potatoes and onions.