There are a variety of reasons to engage in companion planting . Growth habits , dirt ball trade protection , aggroup plants with similar need and further ontogeny of your Irish potato plants may all be a part of the picture . In addition , there are some plants that make hapless companion you may wish to avoid .
About Companion Planting
Mono - cropping – planting all one kind of plant life – has some efficiencies , but many gardener swear by fellow plant even though it increases complexness . Companion plants might offer protection from insects or attract beneficial predators . Legumes enrich the grime . combine mystifying and shallow - steady down vegetables allow for maximal use of place . When flora have like pee and nutritional needs , grouping them together make sense .
When Companions Cause Trouble
It ’s just as of import to have it off what not to plant as what to plant . Sometimes when plants grow next to each other , root exudates from one touch the taste of the second . Aggressive plants may crowd out less robust plants . A plant might tempt a destructive insect to its neighbors . Both plants might be susceptible to the same disease , increase the risk that the experimental condition will spread .
Potato Characteristics that Affect Companion Choices
Choosing companions means pay aid to all aspects of the works . For lesson :
Vegetables and Fruits
Shallow - rooted vegetables like lettuce , scallions , spinach and radishes make right potato companions . bean and pea summate N to the land . Cabbage and corn whisky are also good pick but make certain the clavus does n’t shadow the potato plant . However , you should obviate other nightshade like tomatoes and eggplants . Raspberries , cucumber , squash , finocchio , onions and turnips can increase disease risks or stunt growth .
Herbs and Potatoes
Herbs are often good choices for attracting beneficial insect or the predators that prey on worm pests . Basil , chamomile , parsley , thyme and yarrow are all good selection to interplant with Solanum tuberosum . Colorado potato mallet may be repel by coriander plant , catnip and scented fern . Horseradish is thought to serve make potatoes more resistant to disease .
Flowers to Interplant with Potatoes
good insect often revalue flowers to tip on or to lay their eggs . When it comes to Solanum tuberosum , Petunia and madwort are skilful choices for this purpose . Nasturtiums also do well with potato . marigold have long been used to force back dirt - dwell nematode worm – they are most effective if grown in an sphere the year prior to planting . helianthus may increase the peril of potatoblight .
