Growing tomatoes near to potatoes

sussexbaker

Hiya

I have a patch of ground that I'm going to use for growing soft fruits, that sits between my raised beds and my greenhouse. However it's not been properly prepared, so will probably be over run with weeds and is still mainly compacted clay. In a moment of inspiration I thought that I could plant a row of potatoes in it this season which would help tackle both of those issues (and use up the spare seed potatoes I've got). My only concern is that they will be next to the side of the greenhouse. I know that you shouldn't grow tomatoes near potatoes but as the one will be in a greenhouse is this as much of a risk?

Thanks in advance.

Ectophile

The risk with potatoes and tomatoes is that they are closely related, and both suffer from blight. If you plant them next to each other, and one gets blight, then the other probably will as well.

sussexbaker

Will the tomatoes being in a greenhouse make any difference?

wellused

It will be ok if the tomatoes are in a greenhouse just follow the usual rules and water from the base, if possible sink drainpipe into the ground so the water goes direct to the roots, maintain good airflow etc and you will be alright.

Mojisola

sussexbaker wrote: »

I have a patch of ground that I'm going to use for growing soft fruits, that sits between my raised beds and my greenhouse. However it's not been properly prepared, so will probably be over run with weeds and is still mainly compacted clay. In a moment of inspiration I thought that I could plant a row of potatoes in it this season which would help tackle both of those issues (and use up the spare seed potatoes I've got). My only concern is that they will be next to the side of the greenhouse. I know that you shouldn't grow tomatoes near potatoes but as the one will be in a greenhouse is this as much of a risk?

For one year, I'd take a chance. Blight spores are air-borne so when the greenhouse is ventilated, they could get in but the risk is reduced.

As wellused says - keep the tomato leaves as dry as possible and keep the humidity down in the greenhouse. Be careful if you have to brush past the potato leaves on your way into the greenhouse because you can transfer spores that way as well.

Learn the signs of blight and watch out for it - https://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=217.

Enjoy your tomatoes and spuds!

sussexbaker

The prevailing wind means that spores from the potatoes are likely to be blown away from the greenhouse and there's no vents on that side so I think I'll take the chance. Lets hope it's not a terrible mistake as I'm hoping for good things from my toms this year.

ALIBOBSY

The other thing I would add is I always remove any leaves that look like they have a mark on off my toms or potatos.

Plus if you grow earlies as we do they are usually up and out of the ground before the blight gets going.

Mind you we are lucky we aren't in an area where blight isn't too rife.

I reckon a row of earlies should be fine and have grown them in the beds right next to the greenhouse and not had issues.

Ali x

Mojisola

sussexbaker wrote: »

The prevailing wind means that spores from the potatoes are likely to be blown away from the greenhouse and there's no vents on that side so I think I'll take the chance.

Lets hope it's not a terrible mistake as I'm hoping for good things from my toms this year.

But it's the prevailing wind that would be bringing the spores to your garden!

I still think it's worth doing.:)