Thinking of growing potatoes and tomatoes together as companion plants? Before beginning a vegetable garden, it is important to plan what you want to grow and where you want to grow it. That’s because the plants you place side by side can influence each other’s growth, either positively or negatively. You don’t want to start your season off on the wrong foot by putting two plants that hinder each other’s growth next to each other.
These are two of the most popular plants to grow, especially for beginners. This is likely due to their popularity in the kitchen. But it’s also because they are relatively easy plants to care for, with the right knowledge.
You may be tempted to grow these plants in the same space, but how will they impact each other’s growth? Let’s find out.
The short answer is that potatoes and tomatoes are closely related. They are from the same family, and should not be planted next to each other. If they are planted next to one another, they will compete for nutrients, and will result in a poor crop yield. They can also attract similar pests. Part of the point of companion planting is to ward off pests, so this duo will not have this benefit.
How Far Away to Plant Tomatoes From Potatoes: The Complete Guide
Growing juicy tomatoes and hearty potatoes are two of the biggest joys of having a productive vegetable garden. But can these crops coexist in harmony when planted close together? Or should tomato plants and potatoes be kept at a distance from one another? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ideal spacing for tomatoes and potatoes to thrive side-by-side.
Tomatoes and Potatoes: Companion Planting Controversy
At first glance, tomatoes and potatoes may seem like ideal companion plants. They share similar soil needs, benefit from consistent moisture, and have unaggressive spreading habits. So why do some experienced gardeners strongly caution against planting them in close proximity?
The primary reason comes down to disease prevention. Tomatoes and potatoes are both prone to early blight, late blight, verticillium wilt and other destructive fungal diseases. Planting them near each other significantly raises the risk of those soil-borne pathogens spreading from one crop to the other.
Once blight takes hold, it can rapidly decimate an entire tomato or potato planting. Maintaining adequate spacing between crops serves as an important disease prevention technique.
Recommended Minimum Distance Between Tomatoes and Potatoes
Most experts recommend separating tomato and potato plants by at least 10 feet (3 m), This provides enough space for each veggie while reducing the chance of shared diseases,
However, some enthusiastic gardeners suggest an even wider 20-25 foot (6-8 m) buffer zone between tomatoes and potatoes. This very generous gap virtually eliminates the possibility of blights traveling back and forth.
When dealing with raised beds or smaller gardens, aim for 10 feet of separation if possible. More is better, but 10 feet is suitable in many home growing contexts.
Other Tips for Growing Tomatoes and Potatoes in Proximity
In addition to giving tomatoes and potatoes at least 10 feet of breathing room, here are some other tips for safely and successfully cultivating them near each other:
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Practice crop rotation year to year. Don’t plant either crop in the same bed two seasons in a row. This prevents soil diseases from accumulating over time.
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Immediately remove and destroy any tomato or potato plants that show signs of blight. Don’t compost diseased plants.
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Water at the base of plants rather than overhead watering. This prevents moisture on leaves that spreads blights.
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Allow foliage to dry completely before watering again. Excess moisture on leaves spreads disease.
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Stake tomatoes and hill potatoes for better airflow around plants. Good circulation is vital for preventing fungal/bacterial issues.
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Test soil pH yearly and amend as needed. Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil, potatoes grow best in slightly alkaline conditions.
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Monitor for pests like beetles, hornworms, etc. Control them organically through handpicking, traps, or biological insecticides.
Companion Planting: Beneficial Friends for Tomatoes and Potatoes
While sufficient spacing between tomatoes and potatoes is crucial, both benefit from other thoughtfully selected companion plants nearby, such as:
Good companions for tomatoes:
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Carrots
- Chives
- Marigolds
- Onions/Garlic
- Parsley/Cilantro
- Peppers
- Petunias
Helpful friends for potatoes:
- Beans
- Cabbage family crops
- Corn
- Eggplant
- Flax
- Marigolds
- Peas
These plants make friendly neighbors, helping to repel pests, improve flavor, enhance pollination, and offer other useful perks. Just maintain adequate distance between the tomatoes and potatoes, even with other companions planted in between.
Crop Rotation Tips for Tomatoes and Potatoes
Diligent crop rotation is fundamental for any garden with both tomatoes and potatoes. Here is a sample 3-year rotation schedule that properly alternates the crops:
Year 1
Bed 1: Tomatoes
Bed 2: Potatoes
Bed 3: Cover crop or unrelated vegetable
Year 2
Bed 1: Cover crop or unrelated vegetable
Bed 2: Tomatoes
Bed 3: Potatoes
Year 3
Bed 1: Potatoes
Bed 2: Cover crop or unrelated vegetable
Bed 3: Tomatoes
This sequence prevents tomatoes or potatoes from occupying the same soil two years consecutively. Rotate other vegetables like peppers, onions, beans, etc. through as well.
Rotate all tomato and potato varieties, including heirlooms, hybrids, cherries, fingerlings, etc., as blights readily spread between types.
Container Growing as an Alternative
Growing tomatoes or potatoes in separate containers is an excellent way to enjoy both crops while eliminating proximity concerns.
With tomatoes and potatoes each in their own pots, they can be placed side-by-side with no danger of transmitting diseases. Use large containers with drainage, quality potting mix, and careful watering/pruning for healthy container crops. Solarize soil beforehand to kill lingering pathogens.
Container culture can be a foolproof method for successfully raising tomatoes and potatoes in close quarters if done right.
The Bottom Line
Can tomatoes and potatoes peacefully coexist in the same garden? Definitely! With smart spacing, crop rotation, and disease prevention, both can thrive.
Aim for at least 10 feet between plantings, more if possible. Follow a strict multi-year rotation schedule. Eliminate diseased plants immediately and stay vigilant about cleanliness.
With some care and planning, you can enjoy bountiful harvests of delicious tomatoes AND potatoes from your own backyard. Just give these vulnerable veggies the space they need from each other.
The Benefits of Companion Planting
There are many purported benefits to companion planting, each applying to different groupings of plants.
The first, and most obvious benefit, is physical. If you have a vegetable that needs a little more shade than others, like leafy greens, you can plant a tall, trellised plant, like beans, to provide some afternoon shade.
This allows you to improve the growth of both the plants (the beans get more sun and the greens avoid scalding). This is accomplished simply by placing them together and planting them in the right orientation.
Companion planting is most often favored for its effectiveness against pests. Some plants have the ability to suppress or repel certain pests due to the chemicals in their roots. Others release a strong smell that some pests don’t like.
By planting these plants near vegetables the pests do like, you’ll create a protective barrier that keeps harmful pests out. And you’ll do it without the use of pesticides.
Trap crops perform a similar task, but rather than repelling the pests, draw them towards the companion plant. This keeps the pests focused on the trap crop and away from the plants you want to harvest. Nasturtium is one of the most common trap crops. It’s loved by aphids, keeping them away from the other vegetables in your garden.
Another companion planting benefit can be found in the soil. Plants impact the nutrient levels in the soil, either because they take up certain nutrients more and leave others, or because they return nutrients to the soil (in the case of nitrogen-fixers). Good companion plants don’t compete or harm each other. They work well together with regards to nutrients, maintaining good soil health.
These benefits also have an antithesis – some plants are not good companions and will inhibit each other’s growth. Either they attract the same pests or diseases that increase the risk of spread, or they emit chemicals that prevent the growth of the other. Bad companions also compete for nutrients or have incompatible growing conditions. These conditions end up resulting in the one plant dying while the other fights to survive.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a term commonly used in gardening and agricultural circles. While in practice, companion planting has been around for centuries, the term rose in popularity within the gardening industry around the 1970s.
The organic gardening movement prompted gardeners to think about how to optimize plant groupings and spacing to maximize yield. The idea behind the practice was that certain plants could improve each other’s growth when planted together, either due to the growing conditions created or the pest benefits provided.
Today, companion planting is common practice in home gardens. This encompasses grouping plants of similar conditions together, allowing them to share soil, water, and light without competition.
But it also focuses on plant pairings that, due to their growth habits or compositions, actually improve each other’s growth by altering the soil, deterring pests, providing shade, and a range of other benefits.
Tomato Spacing – Garden Quickie Episode 145
FAQ
Can you plant tomatoes close to potatoes?
Ultimately, it’s best to keep these two plants far away from each other. It’s not a good idea to companion plant a potato next to tomatoes.Oct 4, 2023
Is it okay to plant tomatoes after potatoes?
Actually, it would be advised not to plant tomatoes after any crop in the solanaceae (nightshade) family and that list includes common crops like peppers, potatoes, and eggplants.
What should not be planted close to tomatoes?
- Cabbage. Planting a member of the brassica family, like cabbage, can stunt the growth of your tomato plant because they out-compete them for the same nutrients. …
- Corn. …
- Broccoli. …
- Fennel. …
- Dill. …
- Potatoes. …
- Eggplant. …
- Walnuts.
Can you plant tomatoes 12 inches apart?
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Variety Matters:The ideal spacing depends heavily on the tomato variety.
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Determinate vs. Indeterminate:
- Determinate: These varieties have a compact growth habit and produce a single flush of fruit, making them suitable for closer spacing (12-18 inches).
- Indeterminate: These varieties grow continuously and need more space (18-36 inches or more) to allow for airflow and fruit development.
- Determinate: These varieties have a compact growth habit and produce a single flush of fruit, making them suitable for closer spacing (12-18 inches).
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Spacing Considerations:
- Airflow: Adequate spacing is crucial for good airflow, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
- Sunlight: Ensure each plant receives sufficient sunlight for optimal growth and fruit production.
- Pollination: Allow enough space for pollinators to access the flowers.
- Harvesting: Make sure there’s enough space to easily harvest the tomatoes.
- Airflow: Adequate spacing is crucial for good airflow, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
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Container Gardening:If growing in containers, ensure the containers are large enough for the tomato plant’s root system and that the containers are spaced adequately.
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Pruning:If planting closer together, you may need to prune the plants to maintain good airflow and encourage fruit production.