1. Alfalfa
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) isn’t only for horses and donkeys.
Alfalfa sprouts make a tasty and nutritious salad topping, however this member of the legume household could be helpful within the backyard as nicely.
When grown with potatoes, it helps scale back populations of Colorado potato beetles.
Understand that alfalfa is a perennial plant, so think about using it between rows of potatoes or round backyard beds.
Alfalfa Seeds
Yow will discover natural alfalfa seeds out there in your selection of packet sizes from True Leaf Market.
Learn to develop alfalfa right here.
2. Basil
No summer time backyard can be full with out aromatic basil (Ocimum basilicum) vegetation, prepared to supply heaps of taste for therefore many do-it-yourself meals.
The strong-smelling leaves aren’t simply tasty – they will additionally repel some widespread potato pests.
Basil additionally helps out by attracting helpful bugs with its tiny white flowers if you happen to permit it to bloom.
There are lots of totally different sorts of basil, however ‘Lettuce Leaf’ is one in all my favorites, with giant, crinkled leaves that may be minced into aromatic garnishes.
‘Lettuce Leaf’ Basil
You should purchase one-gram packets of ‘Lettuce Leaf’ basil from Botanical Pursuits.
Learn our information to rising basil for more information.
3. Borage
Borage (Borago officinalis) is an annual herb with star-shaped blue flowers and mushy, fuzzy leaves.
It’s valued each as a companion plant within the backyard and for its edible blooms and foliage, which provide a refreshing cucumber taste.
Within the backyard, the intense blue flowers draw helpful bugs to guard your potato vegetation, whereas the broad leaves create pure floor cowl that protects soil and reduces water evaporation.
Borage
Borage seeds can be found in a number of packet sizes at True Leaf Market.
Study extra about rising borage right here.
4. Buckwheat
A quick rising annual, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is among the greatest cowl crops for the house backyard.
With coronary heart formed leaves and white-petaled flowers, buckwheat could be grown forward of your foremost potato crop, or as a companion plant.
The roots can assist to discourage wireworms, a standard potato pest.
Buckwheat
Decide up buckwheat seeds in an array of pack sizes from Excessive Mowing Natural Seeds.
5. Chives
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) make a superb addition to any backyard, particularly for many who get pleasure from recent salads.
These hardy perennials provide a dependable cut-and-come-again harvest, including earthiness and depth to meals.
The identical flavorful compounds that improve your cooking and brighten up your lunchtime salads additionally profit the potato patch by repelling pests and offering forage for helpful bugs.
Chives
Yow will discover natural chives seeds in an array of packet sizes at True Leaf Market.
Learn the way to develop chives right here.
6. Chrysanthemums
You might consider chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.) as the right vegetation to maintain in a container subsequent to your entrance door for autumn coloration, however these flowers could be grown as companion vegetation too.
In actual fact, researchers in India discovered that rising potatoes with chrysanthemums was extra profitable than rising them as a monocrop.
Mammoth™ Daisy Coral mums have salmon-colored blooms and they’re hardy to Zone 3, so you’ll be able to develop them as perennials.
Mammoth Daisy Coral Chrysanthemum
Yow will discover Mammoth™ Daisy Coral chrysanthemum vegetation out there at Burpee.
Study to develop and look after chrysanthemums right here.
7. Cilantro
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a cool-season herb that can be utilized to garnish potato salads, make guacamole, or create an intense pesto.
And within the backyard this member of the carrot household attracts tiny wasps and different helpful bugs to the potato patch with its umbrella-shaped flower heads.
Whereas for culinary causes it’s possible you’ll want to develop one other sort of cilantro, when your goal is to draw helpful pollinators, one that’s quick to bolt, similar to ‘Moroccan.’
‘Moroccan’ Cilantro
Purchase four-gram packs of ‘Moroccan’ cilantro seeds at Botanical Pursuits.
Learn extra about rising cilantro right here.
8. Clover
A legume usually grown as a canopy crop, clover (Trifolium spp.) works as a companion plant for rising with potatoes because it fixes nitrogen within the soil.
Crimson clover (T. incarnatum) is good for this goal since its crimson blooms additionally entice pollinators.
Simply needless to say this legume is a perennial, and plan your backyard accordingly.
Crimson Clover
Decide up crimson clover seeds in a wide range of packet sizes at Eden Brothers.
9. Comfrey
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial cousin of borage that’s typically grown to make a fertilizer tea to nourish the backyard.
As a companion plant, develop it with potatoes in order that its giant, fuzzy leaves can decompose and add vitamins to the soil after you could have harvested your crop.
Comfrey
Yow will discover comfrey seeds out there at Earthbeat Seeds in packets of 10.
Study to plant and develop comfrey right here.
10. Frequent Sage
Frequent sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial, fragrant herb with velvety, gray-green leaves and a robust, earthy scent.
This herb helps repel widespread pests similar to flea beetles and cabbage moths out of your potatoes whereas additionally attracting helpful predators that help a wholesome backyard ecosystem.
Frequent Sage
Yow will discover widespread sage seeds in packets of 25 from Botanical Pursuits.
Discover ideas for rising widespread sage right here.
11. Frequent Thyme
Herbs are likely to make glorious companion vegetation since their fragrant foliage can repel a quantity pests whereas their blooms entice beneficials – and such is the case with thyme (Thymus vulgaris).
A superb seasoning for soups and stews, widespread thyme is a perennial culinary herb that’s drought-tolerant, and could be grown in a container close to your potato crop.
Frequent Thyme
Yow will discover packets of seeds or dwell thyme vegetation out there at Burpee.
Learn our article for recommendations on rising widespread thyme.
12. Corn
One of many members of the standard three sisters backyard, corn (Zea mays) vegetation present scrumptious consuming for summer time cookouts.
Corn will not be the obvious companion plant in your root crop, however these lofty backyard vegetation assist potatoes in a stunning approach.
When these two crops are intercropped, it helps to discourage Colorado potato beetles.
‘Fisher’s Earliest’ Candy Corn
You’ll discover natural ‘Fisher’s Earliest’ candy corn seeds in several packet sizes at Excessive Mowing Natural Seeds.
Learn to develop candy corn right here.
13. Cosmos
Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) are common annual flowers that produce a great deal of colourful blooms atop wispy foliage in alternate for little or no care.
And so they aren’t simply fairly – cosmos are glorious all-purpose companion vegetation, because of their capability to draw helpful bugs serving to to maintain pest populations round your potato patch beneath management.
Sensation Combine is a mixture of white, lavender, pink, and magenta single flowers, making a colourful addition to the vegetable backyard.
Double blooms are additionally out there, however these are much less engaging to foraging pollinators.
Sensation Combine Cosmos
Yow will discover Sensation Combine cosmos seeds in a wide range of packet sizes from Eden Brothers.
Discover ideas for planting and rising cosmos right here.
14. Dill
Parasitic wasps are a fan of dill (Anethum graveolens), and since they may assist hold pests in examine, you’ll be a fan too!
Develop this annual herb for its feathery foliage, then let it flower to draw these pleasant bugs to your potato patch.
When the vegetation go to seed, it can save you the seeds for future crops, or use them to taste pickles and marinades.
There are lots of varieties of dill to select from – ‘Bouquet’ is an early producer that may present pollinator meals in a rush.
‘Bouquet’ Dill
You should buy ‘Bouquet’ dill seeds in packs of three grams at Botanical Pursuits.
Learn extra about rising dill right here.
15. Edamame
Edamame (Glycine max) is a kind of soybean that grows in bushy clusters and produces edible pods crammed with protein-packed beans.
As nitrogen-fixers, these legumes enhance soil fertility by changing atmospheric nitrogen right into a usable type, benefiting neighboring vegetation like potatoes.
‘Midori’ is a kind of edamame that produces giant beans which can be excellent for appetizers and snacks.
‘Midori’ Big Edamame
Yow will discover ‘Midori’ edamame soybean seeds in a number of packet sizes from True Leaf Market.
16. Garlic
Associated to chives, garlic (Allium sativum) gives depth and taste to savory meals.
After being planted within the spring for a fall harvest, these bulbs can present assist in the pest deterrent division, lowering the presence of each aphids and leafhoppers round your potatoes.
Do you like garlic however your loved ones, not a lot? ‘Inchelium Pink’ is a softneck selection with a gentle style that may win over those that aren’t followers of pungent flavors.
‘Inchelium Pink’ Garlic
You should purchase half-pound packs of ‘Inchelium Pink’ garlic bulbs at Burpee.
Learn to develop garlic right here.
17. Grapevines
Rising potatoes subsequent to a fruiting vine could not have crossed your thoughts, but grapevines (Vitis spp.) are a great plant associate in your tubers.
Grapevines are skilled on trellises or arbors – and relying on what number of you wish to develop, you’ll be able to both develop potatoes on the base of a single vine, or interplant a number of vines with the basis crop to benefit from your out there area.
Unsure which kind of grape to start out with? ‘Lakemont’ is a late-season, seedless inexperienced desk grape that has a honey-like taste.
‘Lakemont’ Seedless White Grapevine
Buy naked root or potted ‘Lakemont’ grapevines from Nature Hills Nursery.
Discover all the small print about rising grapevines right here.
18. Inexperienced Beans
That staple of the summer time backyard, inexperienced beans (Phaseolus) are produced by each compact, bush-style vegetation, and on climbing vines.
These annuals make good companion vegetation for potatoes because of their capability to repair atmospheric nitrogen into the soil.
There are lots of varieties of edible beans to select from they usually all have this nitrogen fixing high quality.
‘Faraday’ is a kind of bush bean that bears slender, stringless pods.
‘Faraday’ Inexperienced Beans
You should purchase ‘Faraday’ inexperienced bean seeds in an assortment of packet sizes from Excessive Mowing Natural Seeds.
Learn our information to rising inexperienced beans subsequent!
19. Lima Beans
Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) are leguminous vegetation that produce giant beans, often known as butter beans.
As members of the legume household, limas enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen—a vital nutrient that advantages close by vegetation like potatoes.
Should you develop a pole sort of lima, like ‘King of the Backyard,’ be sure you plant them to the north of your potatoes, so that they don’t throw shade in your spuds.
‘King of the Backyard’ Lima Beans
Yow will discover ‘King of the Backyard’ lima bean seeds out there from True Leaf Market.
Examine rising lima beans right here.
20. Marigolds
With brilliant orange, yellow, or crimson blooms, marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are common annual bedding flowers they usually make good companions for potatoes too.
And whereas their cheery blooms entice pollinators and helpful bugs, their roots emit compounds that repel root-knot nematodes, a damaging pest greatest prevented.
‘Pink Metamorph’ is a kind of French marigold (Tagetes patula) that’s as useful with its repellent skills as it’s lovely.
With uncommon coloring not typically present in a marigold, its blooms have burgundy petals and yellow facilities.
‘Pink Metamorph’ Marigolds
Buy packets of 36 ‘Pink Metamorph’ marigold seeds at Botanical Pursuits.
Learn to develop marigolds right here.
21. Mint
Good for making refreshing iced teas, mint (Mentha spp.) is a vigorous addition to the herb backyard.
This aromatic herb additionally helps to guard potato crops towards whiteflies and leafhoppers by performing as a repellent.
Simply be aware when planting that mint can generally tend to take over the backyard, so select your spot accordingly!
Mint
You should purchase mint seeds in packets of 220 from Botanical Pursuits.
Get recommendations on rising mint right here.
22. Onions
Associated to garlic and chives, onions (Allium cepa) are bulb-forming greens grown for his or her robust aromas and flavors.
These members of the allium household make glorious companion vegetation for potatoes as a result of their pungent scent helps repel many widespread potato pests, together with aphids.
Bunching onions (A. fistulosum), similar to ‘White Lisbon,’ are significantly simple to develop within the backyard and have the identical helpful results as bigger sorts.
‘White Lisbon’ Bunching Onions
Yow will discover packets of 1000 ‘White Lisbon’ bunching onion seeds at Burpee.
Study extra about rising onions right here.
23. Oregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a flavorful herb common on pizzas that additionally makes a great companion for potatoes.
The foliage has such a robust odor that it helps to maintain some pests away, whereas the flowers entice helpful bugs.
This Mediterranean herb can be simple to start out from seed, making it an reasonably priced addition to the herb backyard.
Oregano
Decide up a packet of 800 widespread oregano seeds from Botanical Pursuits.
Get ideas for rising oregano right here.
24. Peas
Peas (Pisum sativum) are cool-season legumes that produce candy, edible pods and seeds.
As nitrogen-fixers, peas enrich the soil by changing atmospheric nitrogen to a bioavailable type, boosting the nutrient availability for neighboring crops like potatoes.
‘Sugar Daddy’ is a kind of snap pea that produces scrumptious, candy, and crisp pods which can be additionally stringless.
‘Sugar Daddy’ Snap Peas
Yow will discover ‘Sugar Daddy’ snap peas in 50-gram packets at Botanical Pursuits.
Learn to develop peas right here.
25. Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a aromatic, woody herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, recent aroma.
The invigorating scent helps deter pests like Colorado potato beetles and different dangerous bugs whereas the fragile blooms entice pollinators.
Rosemary
Discover packets of 32 rosemary seeds from Botanical Pursuits.
Learn extra about rising rosemary right here.
26. Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums (Pelargonium) are vibrant, flowering vegetation with brightly coloured blooms and extremely aromatic foliage.
Generally loved in window containers, scented geraniums will also be grown along with your potato crop as companion vegetation.
‘Citronella’ Scented Geraniums
Buy a two-, four-, or six-pack of ‘Citronella’ scented geranium vegetation in four-inch nursery pots from Soil Dawn through Walmart.
Discover out extra about rising scented geraniums right here.
27. Spinach
A quick-growing leafy inexperienced, spinach (Spinacia oleracea) has a shallow root system that doesn’t compete with the tubers.
And because it matures rapidly, spinach is harvested early, giving potatoes more room as they develop, taking advantage of backyard area, and selling a wholesome rising setting.
‘Bloomsdale’ spinach is an heirloom that produces nutrient-rich, tender leaves.
‘Bloomsdale’ Spinach
Yow will discover eight-gram packets of ‘Bloomsdale’ spinach at Botanical Pursuits.
Study extra about rising spinach right here.
28. Sunflowers
You’re keen on sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) for his or her massive, cheery blooms and nutritious seeds, however do you know they will additionally function companion vegetation for potatoes?
Researchers in China concluded that each water use and yield was extra environment friendly when sunflowers and potatoes have been interplanted.
With so many various kinds of sunflowers, it may be laborious to decide on only one.
‘Velvet Queen’ has yellow and burgundy petals, reaches 5 toes tall, and occurs to be among the best sunflowers for pollinators.
‘Velvet Queen’ Sunflower
Seize packets of ‘Velvet Queen’ sunflower seeds in a variety of sizes from Excessive Mowing Natural Seeds.
Examine rising sunflowers right here.
29. Candy Alyssum
Are you on the lookout for a low-growing floor cowl that can even entice helpful bugs? Candy alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is your gal.
With tiny flowers in shades of white, purple, or pink, candy alyssum will act as a residing mulch whereas feeding useful bugs, and making your backyard look beautiful on the identical time.
Attract Pastel Mix bears a mixture of purple, white, and pink flowers, for gardeners who can’t determine which coloration to develop.
Attract Pastel Mix Candy Alyssum
Yow will discover packets of Attract Pastel Mix candy alyssum seeds from Botanical Pursuits.
Get ideas for rising candy alyssum right here.
30. Tansy
With delicate, fern-like foliage and button-shaped yellow flowers, tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) will not be quite common, however this herb does have its devotees.
Tansy just isn’t used as a culinary herb as a lot as a medicinal one, and ought to be utilized in moderation because it comprises a doubtlessly poisonous compound.
Within the backyard, tansy repels Colorado potato beetles making it perfect for rising close to your potatoes.
Tansy
Yow will discover tansy seeds in an assortment of packet sizes from True Leaf Market.
31. Zinnias
For some gardeners, zinnias (Zinnia spp.) are as a lot of a standby within the vegetable patch as within the flower border.
That’s as a result of these annual flowers are good normal companion vegetation, attracting helpful bugs like ladybugs and hoverflies to your potato crops.
California Giants is a favourite zinnia mix that produces giant, four- to six-inch flowers in shades of pink, crimson, orange, purple, white, and yellow.
California Giants Mix Zinnias
You’ll discover two-gram packets of California Giants Mix zinnias at Botanical Pursuits.
Get ideas for rising zinnias right here.
And Some to Keep away from
Whereas potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes all belong to the nightshade household and share comparable rising wants, they aren’t perfect neighbors within the backyard.
These vegetation are susceptible to most of the identical pests and illnesses.
