What to Plant Around Potatoes

Potatoes are a versatile and nutritious vegetable that are easy to grow in most gardens. While they are relatively low maintenance, planting the right vegetables around them can enhance their flavor, protect them from pests, and make the most out of your garden space. In this article, we will discuss what to plant around potatoes.

Companion Plants

Companion planting involves planting vegetables, herbs, and flowers that benefit each other when they are planted close together. In the case of potatoes, companion plants can provide natural pest control, improve soil fertility, and increase yields. Here are a few plants that are good companions for potatoes:

1. Beans: Beans are nitrogen fixers, which means they convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that is available to plants. Potatoes require a lot of nitrogen to produce their crop, so planting beans nearby can help improve soil fertility. In addition, beans attract beneficial insects like pollinators and ladybugs while repelling harmful pests like beetles.

2. Sweetcorn: Sweetcorn is a good companion for potatoes as it provides shade and wind protection while the potatoes are still young. In addition, the tall stalks of corn help to anchor the potatoes in place, preventing them from falling over when they become top-heavy.

3. Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are a hardy annual flower that can be planted around the perimeter of your potato patch to repel pests like aphids, slugs, and beetles. Their flowers and leaves are edible and can be added to salads for a spicy kick.

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a practice that involves planting different crops in the same space each year to prevent soil-borne diseases and pests from building up. Rotating your potato crop with other vegetables can also help to improve soil fertility and prevent nutrient depletion. Here are a few vegetables that are good to rotate with potatoes:

1. Brassicas: Brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, and kale are good to rotate with potatoes as they have similar soil requirements and are not susceptible to the same pests and diseases. In addition, brassicas help to break up compacted soil and can improve soil structure.

2. Legumes: Legumes like peas and beans are good to rotate with potatoes as they help to fix nitrogen in the soil. This can improve soil fertility and reduce the need for fertilizer.

3. Root Vegetables: Root vegetables like carrots, beets, and parsnips are good to rotate with potatoes as they do not deplete the same nutrients from the soil. In addition, they help to break up compacted soil and can improve soil structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, planting the right vegetables around potatoes can help to improve soil fertility, prevent pests and diseases, and increase yields. Companion plants like beans, sweetcorn, and nasturtiums can provide natural pest control and improve soil fertility. Crop rotation with other vegetables like brassicas, legumes, and root vegetables can prevent pest and disease build-up and improve soil structure. By incorporating these practices into your potato patch, you can enjoy a bountiful and healthy harvest.