What Plant Goes Both Tomatoes and Potatoes?

Have you ever wondered if there is a plant that produces both tomatoes and potatoes? The answer is yes, and it's called a "TomTato" plant. This unique plant is a combination of a tomato plant and a potato plant, and it is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners all over the world.

What is a TomTato Plant?

A TomTato plant, also known as a "ketchup 'n' fries" plant, is a grafted plant created by joining a tomato plant and a potato plant together. The tomato plant is grafted onto the stem of the potato plant, creating a single plant that produces both tomatoes and potatoes.

The idea for the TomTato plant came from Thompson & Morgan, a UK-based seed company. After years of research and development, they were able to create a successful graft between the two plants, resulting in the TomTato plant that we know today.

How Does the TomTato Plant Work?

The TomTato plant works by taking advantage of the fact that both the tomato plant and potato plant belong to the same plant family, Solanaceae. This means that their genetic makeup is very similar, making it possible for them to be joined together to create a single plant.

When the tomato plant is grafted onto the potato plant stem, the two plants begin to grow together and share nutrients. The tomato plant grows on the top of the stem and produces tomatoes, while the potato plant grows on the lower part of the stem and produces potatoes.

What are the Benefits of Growing a TomTato Plant?

Growing a TomTato plant has several benefits. Firstly, it allows you to save space in your garden, as you only need one plant to produce both tomatoes and potatoes. This is especially useful if you have limited growing space or if you want to maximize your harvest.

Secondly, the TomTato plant is easier to care for than growing separate tomato and potato plants. You only need to water and fertilize one plant, and you don't have to worry about staking or trellising the tomato plant. This makes it an ideal plant for beginner gardeners or those who have limited gardening experience.

How to Grow a TomTato Plant?

Growing a TomTato plant is fairly straightforward. You can purchase a grafted plant from a garden center or nursery, or you can try to create your own by grafting a tomato plant onto a potato plant stem.

The TomTato plant prefers a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. It is important to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during hot, dry weather. You can fertilize the plant with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks to promote healthy growth and fruit production.

Harvesting the TomTato plant is easy. Simply pick the tomatoes when they are ripe and ready to eat, and then wait for the potato plant to die back before harvesting the potatoes. The potatoes can be dug up from the ground, just like regular potatoes.

Conclusion

The TomTato plant is a unique and innovative plant that allows you to grow both tomatoes and potatoes on a single plant. Whether you are a beginner gardener or an experienced one, the TomTato plant is a great addition to any garden. Give it a try and see how it can save you space, time, and effort while still producing delicious homegrown produce.