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Intercropping
gatehill
Posts: 38
in Fruit & veg
In my raised bed I have 6 rows of potatoes, 5 in each, 3 different varieties, either earlies or second earlies. The rows are 24 inches apart and I have just started earthing up as they are 4-6 ins tall.
I am considering planting out some tomato plants in the gaps between the rows to maximise the use of the land. The tomato plants vary in height between 6 and 15 inches.
I appreciate that I will have to dig the potatoes up carefully when the time comes but has anyone had any experience of such intercropping?
Last edited: 18 May 2016 11:13:40
0
Posts
I was told to keep potatoes and tomatoes well apart. Maybe something to do with if one crop develops blight
I know potato blight and tomato blight appear different but I don't know if one can spread to another.
Looking forward to reading other replies.
I wouldn't think that's a good idea.
Spuds and Toms are both types of Solanum and have similar requirements, so effectively you'll be planting twice the amount of plants that the soil can maintain and they'll both be fighting for nutrients.
It's best to plant something like lettuce between the rows which will have different nutritional requirements and will ready for harvest before the spuds shade them out.
If you're concerned about blight, you can register at Blightwatch, then you'll get a txt if the conditions are right for blight in your area. I got such a notification last week!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thanks folks. I've put in a couple of courgette plants but they are lost in the 4ft high potatoes at present. Flowers on pots are out now so should be able to start digging soon and give the courgettes some light and space!
I am thinking of lifting my oions shallots and garlic in my manured Raised bed.. What can I sow in there now??? Not salad pleave I got 40 rockrt plants
??
ive just sown beet root and Swiss chard. Pak choi does well sown now too. Early varieties of carrots are another possibility.
Last edited: 23 June 2016 07:22:35
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.