Planting Tomatoes and Potatoes Together: Is It a Good Idea?

Many gardeners are curious about planting tomatoes and potatoes together in the same bed. While these two vegetables have their own unique growing requirements, there are some benefits and drawbacks to planting them together. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of planting tomatoes and potatoes together and provide some tips for successful co-planting.

The Pros of Co-Planting Tomatoes and Potatoes

Planting tomatoes and potatoes together can have some benefits for your garden. For example:

Space-saving: When you grow tomatoes and potatoes together, you can save space in your garden. Since both plants have similar growth rates and require the same amount of sunlight, you can plant them closer together than you would if you were growing them separately.

Fertilizer benefits: When you plant tomatoes and potatoes together, you may be able to reduce your fertilizer usage. Since potatoes are heavy feeders, they can deplete the soil of nutrients. Tomatoes, on the other hand, require a lot of nutrients. By planting them together, the tomatoes can benefit from the excess nutrients in the soil left behind by the potatoes.

Natural pest control: Another benefit of co-planting tomatoes and potatoes is that the plants can help control pests. For example, both plants are susceptible to flea beetles. However, flea beetles prefer potatoes over tomatoes. By planting the two vegetables together, you can lure the flea beetles away from the tomatoes and onto the potatoes where they can do less harm. Additionally, planting marigolds with your tomatoes and potatoes can help keep pests like aphids and whiteflies at bay.

The Cons of Co-Planting Tomatoes and Potatoes

While there are some benefits to planting tomatoes and potatoes together, there are also some potential drawbacks. Here are a few to consider:

Disease risk: When you plant tomatoes and potatoes together, you increase the risk of disease. For example, both plants are susceptible to blight. If one plant contracts blight, it can easily spread to the other plant. Additionally, potatoes are susceptible to early blight, which can also affect tomatoes.

Competition for nutrients: While co-planting can reduce your fertilizer usage, it also means that the plants are competing for nutrients. If you plant them too close together, they may not get the nutrients they need to thrive.

Harvesting difficulties: Another potential downside of planting tomatoes and potatoes together is that they have different growing requirements. For example, potatoes need to be dug up from the ground, while tomatoes are harvested from above the ground. This can make harvesting more difficult and time-consuming.

Tips for Successful Co-Planting

If you decide to plant tomatoes and potatoes together, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Choose the right varieties: When selecting tomato and potato varieties for co-planting, choose ones that have similar growing requirements. For example, choose determinate tomatoes that will not get too tall and shade the potatoes.

Give them space: Plant tomatoes and potatoes at least 4-6 inches apart to ensure they have enough room to grow and access to the nutrients they need.

Plant at the right time: Plant both vegetables at the same time in the spring to give them an equal chance to grow and mature together.

Practice good garden hygiene: To reduce the risk of disease, practice good garden hygiene. Keep your garden clean and free of debris, and remove any diseased plants as soon as you notice them.

Final Thoughts

Planting tomatoes and potatoes together can have both benefits and drawbacks. While it can save space and reduce your fertilizer usage, it can also increase the risk of disease and competition for nutrients. If you decide to try co-planting, make sure you choose the right varieties and give the plants enough space to grow. With the right care and attention, you can successfully grow tomatoes and potatoes together in your garden.