Companion planting is a great way to create a healthy garden and help vegetables thrive. It involves strategically planting different vegetables, flowers, and herbs together so that each plant benefits from the other. One of the most popular plants for companion planting is the potato; it is easy to cultivate and can bring many benefits to your garden. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best companion plants for potatoes.
What is Potato Companion Planting?
Potato companion planting is the practice of strategically planting different vegetables, flowers, and herbs together so that each plant benefits from the other. When potatoes are planted with certain plants, they can provide better yields and protection from pests and disease. Companion plants for potatoes include marigolds, beans, peas, garlic, onions, thyme, parsley, sage, rosemary, and chamomile. Each of these plants has different benefits that can help potatoes grow and thrive in the garden.
Importance of companion planting
The importance of companion planting for potatoes cannot be overstated. When the right plants are chosen and planted together, they can help to increase yields, protect against pests and disease, improve soil fertility, and attract beneficial insects. Potato plants, in particular, need a lot of care to thrive, so companion planting can be an invaluable tool for any gardener looking to maximize their yields.
Benefits of Companion Planting for Potatoes
Improved soil health
Improved soil health is one of the most notable benefits of companion planting for potatoes. Marigolds, beans, and peas are excellent for adding nitrogen to the soil, which helps potatoes grow stronger and more productive. These plants also provide protection from nematodes, which are microscopic worms that feed on plant roots. Other companion plants such as garlic and onions help to ward off pests like aphids, which can cause damage to potato plants.
Natural pest control
Companion planting for potatoes can provide natural pest control. Many companion plants, such as marigolds and garlic, have strong odors that naturally repel pests like aphids and nematodes. Additionally, chamomile and parsley can attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, which prey on harmful pests. By planting these companion plants with your potatoes, you can effectively reduce the need for chemical pest control.
Increased yields
Companion planting can also help increase yields of potatoes. Potatoes require a lot of nutrients in order to thrive, so planting them with beans or peas provides additional nitrogen that helps boost their growth. Marigolds, on the other hand, are excellent for deterring nematodes and other pests from attacking potato plants.
Drought tolerance
Drought tolerance is another key benefit of companion planting for potatoes. Certain plants such as rosemary and thyme are highly resistant to drought, meaning they can help keep the soil around the potato plants moist even during periods of low rainfall. Additionally, these plants require less water than potatoes, so they can help conserve precious resources in dry climates. Finally, their strong odors also help deter pests that can attack potato plants during times of drought.
Best Companion Plants for Potatoes
Legumes
Legumes are an excellent companion plant for potatoes. Beans and peas in particular are great for adding nitrogen to the soil, which helps potatoes thrive. Additionally, their deep root systems can help break up compacted soils and bring down excess nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile. Legumes also produce a lot of foliage, which can protect potato plants from extreme temperatures. Finally, they attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, which prey on pests that attack potato plants.
Alliums
Alliums are another great companion plant for potatoes. Onions, garlic, and chives all contain strong odors that can help repel pests like aphids and nematodes. Additionally, these plants are highly nutritious and can provide essential minerals to the soil around potato plants. Furthermore, their foliage also helps protect potato plants from extreme temperatures. Finally, their deep root systems can help break up compacted soils and bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile.
Brassicas
Brassicas, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale are excellent companion plants for potatoes. They contain high levels of sulfur, which helps to naturally deter pests like aphids and nematodes. Furthermore, their deep root systems can help break up compacted soils and bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile. Additionally, brassicas also produce a lot of foliage that can protect potato plants from extreme temperatures. Finally, their strong odors also help naturally deter pests from attacking potato plants.
Herbs
Herbs such as thyme, parsley, and mint are great companion plants for potatoes. These plants contain strong odors that naturally repel pests like aphids and nematodes, making them an excellent choice for natural pest control. Additionally, their foliage helps protect potato plants from extreme temperatures and their deep root systems can help break up compacted soils and bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile. Finally, herbs are highly resistant to drought, meaning they can help conserve precious resources even during periods of low rainfall.
Flowers
Flowers such as marigolds and nasturtiums are excellent companion plants for potatoes. Both of these flowers contain strong odors that naturally repel pests like nematodes and aphids, making them an excellent choice for natural pest control. Additionally, their bright colors attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on pests that attack potato plants. Furthermore, their foliage also helps protect potato plants from extreme temperatures and their deep root systems can help break up compacted soils and bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile.
Worst Companion Plants for Potatoes
Members of the nightshade family
Members of the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, are not ideal companion plants for potatoes. These plants compete with potatoes for essential nutrients and can even spread disease to nearby potato plants. Furthermore, they also attract the same pests that attack potato plants. Additionally, their roots tend to grow quite shallow, meaning they cannot help break up compacted soils or bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile.
Other root crops
Other root crops, such as carrots and beets, are also great companion plants for potatoes. These plants have deep root systems that can help break up compacted soils and bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile. Additionally, their foliage also helps protect potato plants from extreme temperatures.
Certain herbs
Certain herbs, such as dill, are great companion plants for potatoes. Dill is known to naturally deter pests like aphids and nematodes, making it an excellent choice for natural pest control. Additionally, its foliage helps protect potato plants from extreme temperatures and its deep root systems can help break up compacted soils and bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile. Furthermore, dill is highly resistant to drought, meaning it can help conserve precious resources even during periods of low rainfall.
Conclusion
Potato companion planting is a great way to naturally deter pests, protect potato plants from extreme temperatures, and bring down essential nutrients from deeper levels of the soil profile.
Brassicas, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale are excellent companion plants for potatoes due to their high sulfur content and deep root systems. Herbs like thyme, parsley, and mint are also ideal companions for potatoes as they have strong odors that naturally repel pests. Flowers such as marigolds and nasturtiums are beneficial companions for potatoes since their bright colors attract beneficial insects that prey on potato pests.
Finally, certain herbs, such as dill, are highly resistant to drought and can help conserve precious resources even during periods of low rainfall.
