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 may be helpful within the backyard as properly.
When grown with potatoes, it helps scale back populations of Colorado potato beetles.
Needless to say alfalfa is a perennial plant, so think about using it between rows of potatoes or round backyard beds.
Alfalfa Seeds
You will discover natural alfalfa seeds accessible in your selection of packet sizes from True Leaf Market.
Learn to develop alfalfa right here.
2. Basil
No summer season backyard can be full with out aromatic basil (Ocimum basilicum) crops, prepared to supply heaps of taste for therefore many do-it-yourself meals.
The strong-smelling leaves aren’t simply tasty – they’ll additionally repel some frequent potato pests.
Basil additionally helps out by attracting useful bugs with its tiny white flowers for those who enable it to bloom.
There are a lot of completely different forms of basil, however ‘Lettuce Leaf’ is one in every of my favorites, with massive, crinkled leaves that may be minced into aromatic garnishes.
‘Lettuce Leaf’ Basil
You should buy 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 tender, 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 useful bugs to guard your potato crops, 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.
Be taught extra about rising borage right here.
4. Buckwheat
A quick rising annual, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is probably the greatest cowl crops for the house backyard.
With coronary heart formed leaves and white-petaled flowers, buckwheat may be grown forward of your important potato crop, or as a companion plant.
The roots might help to discourage wireworms, a typical 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 individuals who get pleasure from recent salads.
These hardy perennials supply 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 useful bugs.
Chives
You 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
Chances are you’ll consider chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.) as the proper crops to maintain in a container subsequent to your entrance door for autumn shade, however these flowers may be grown as companion crops 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 possibly can develop them as perennials.
Mammoth Daisy Coral Chrysanthemum
You will discover Mammoth™ Daisy Coral chrysanthemum crops accessible at Burpee.
Be taught to develop and take care of 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 useful bugs to the potato patch with its umbrella-shaped flower heads.
Whereas for culinary causes chances are you’ll want to develop one other sort of cilantro, when your function is to draw useful pollinators, one that’s quick to bolt, equivalent 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 sometimes 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 right for this function since its crimson blooms additionally entice pollinators.
Simply understand that this legume is a perennial, and plan your backyard accordingly.
Crimson Clover
Decide up crimson clover seeds in quite a lot 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 massive, fuzzy leaves can decompose and add vitamins to the soil after you’ve harvested your crop.
Comfrey
You will discover comfrey seeds accessible at Earthbeat Seeds in packets of 10.
Be taught to plant and develop comfrey right here.
10. Widespread Sage
Widespread sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial, fragrant herb with velvety, gray-green leaves and a robust, earthy scent.
This herb helps repel frequent pests equivalent to flea beetles and cabbage moths out of your potatoes whereas additionally attracting useful predators that assist a wholesome backyard ecosystem.
Widespread Sage
You will discover frequent sage seeds in packets of 25 from Botanical Pursuits.
Discover suggestions for rising frequent sage right here.
11. Widespread Thyme
Herbs are likely to make wonderful companion crops since their fragrant foliage can repel a quantity pests whereas their blooms entice beneficials – and such is the case with thyme (Thymus vulgaris).
A wonderful seasoning for soups and stews, frequent thyme is a perennial culinary herb that’s drought-tolerant, and may be grown in a container close to your potato crop.
Widespread Thyme
You will discover packets of seeds or dwell thyme crops accessible at Burpee.
Learn our article for tips on rising frequent thyme.
12. Corn
One of many members of the standard three sisters backyard, corn (Zea mays) crops present scrumptious consuming for summer season cookouts.
Corn is probably not the obvious companion plant in your root crop, however these lofty backyard crops assist potatoes in a shocking method.
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 numerous packet sizes at Excessive Mowing Natural Seeds.
Learn to develop candy corn right here.
13. Cosmos
Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) are widespread annual flowers that produce a great deal of colourful blooms atop wispy foliage in change for little or no care.
And so they aren’t simply fairly – cosmos are wonderful all-purpose companion crops, due to their skill to draw useful 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 accessible, however these are much less engaging to foraging pollinators.
Sensation Combine Cosmos
You will discover Sensation Combine cosmos seeds in quite a lot of packet sizes from Eden Brothers.
Discover suggestions for planting and rising cosmos right here.
14. Dill
Parasitic wasps are a fan of dill (Anethum graveolens), and since they may assist preserve pests in verify, 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 crops go to seed, it can save you the seeds for future crops, or use them to taste pickles and marinades.
There are a lot of forms of dill to select from – ‘Bouquet’ is an early producer that can present pollinator meals in a rush.
‘Bouquet’ Dill
You should purchase ‘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 crops like potatoes.
‘Midori’ is a kind of edamame that produces massive beans which are excellent for appetizers and snacks.
‘Midori’ Big Edamame
You will discover ‘Midori’ edamame soybean seeds in a number of packet sizes from True Leaf Market.
16. Garlic
Associated to chives, garlic (Allium sativum) supplies 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 Purple’ is a softneck selection with a light style that can win over those that aren’t followers of pungent flavors.
‘Inchelium Purple’ Garlic
You should buy half-pound packs of ‘Inchelium Purple’ 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 an excellent plant associate in your tubers.
Grapevines are educated on trellises or arbors – and relying on what number of you need to develop, you possibly can both develop potatoes on the base of a single vine, or interplant a number of vines with the foundation crop to benefit from your accessible house.
Unsure which sort of grape to begin 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 main points about rising grapevines right here.
18. Inexperienced Beans
That staple of the summer season backyard, inexperienced beans (Phaseolus) are produced by each compact, bush-style crops, and on climbing vines.
These annuals make good companion crops for potatoes due to their skill to repair atmospheric nitrogen into the soil.
There are a lot of forms 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 buy ‘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 crops that produce massive beans, also referred to as butter beans.
As members of the legume household, limas enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen—a necessary nutrient that advantages close by crops like potatoes.
In case you develop a pole sort of lima, like ‘King of the Backyard,’ make sure to plant them to the north of your potatoes, in order that they don’t throw shade in your spuds.
‘King of the Backyard’ Lima Beans
You will discover ‘King of the Backyard’ lima bean seeds accessible from True Leaf Market.
Examine rising lima beans right here.
20. Marigolds
With shiny orange, yellow, or crimson blooms, marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are widespread annual bedding flowers they usually make good companions for potatoes too.
And whereas their cheery blooms entice pollinators and useful bugs, their roots emit compounds that repel root-knot nematodes, a damaging pest finest prevented.
‘Purple Metamorph’ is a kind of French marigold (Tagetes patula) that’s as useful with its repellent talents as it’s lovely.
With uncommon coloring not typically present in a marigold, its blooms have burgundy petals and yellow facilities.
‘Purple Metamorph’ Marigolds
Buy packets of 36 ‘Purple Metamorph’ marigold seeds at Botanical Pursuits.
Learn to develop marigolds right here.
21. Mint
Excellent 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 in opposition to whiteflies and leafhoppers by appearing as a repellent.
Simply be conscious when planting that mint can generally tend to take over the backyard, so select your spot accordingly!
Mint
You should buy 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 sturdy aromas and flavors.
These members of the allium household make wonderful companion crops for potatoes as a result of their pungent scent helps repel many frequent potato pests, together with aphids.
Bunching onions (A. fistulosum), equivalent to ‘White Lisbon,’ are notably straightforward to develop within the backyard and have the identical useful results as bigger varieties.
‘White Lisbon’ Bunching Onions
You will discover packets of 1000 ‘White Lisbon’ bunching onion seeds at Burpee.
Be taught extra about rising onions right here.
23. Oregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a flavorful herb widespread on pizzas that additionally makes an excellent companion for potatoes.
The foliage has such a robust scent that it helps to maintain some pests away, whereas the flowers entice useful bugs.
This Mediterranean herb can also be straightforward to begin from seed, making it an reasonably priced addition to the herb backyard.
Oregano
Decide up a packet of 800 frequent oregano seeds from Botanical Pursuits.
Get suggestions 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 are additionally stringless.
‘Sugar Daddy’ Snap Peas
You 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 crops with brightly coloured blooms and extremely aromatic foliage.
Generally loved in window bins, scented geraniums may also be grown together with your potato crop as companion crops.
‘Citronella’ Scented Geraniums
Buy a two-, four-, or six-pack of ‘Citronella’ scented geranium crops in four-inch nursery pots from Soil Dawn by way of 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 shortly, spinach is harvested early, giving potatoes more room as they develop, taking advantage of backyard house, and selling a wholesome rising setting.
‘Bloomsdale’ spinach is an heirloom that produces nutrient-rich, tender leaves.
‘Bloomsdale’ Spinach
You will discover eight-gram packets of ‘Bloomsdale’ spinach at Botanical Pursuits.
Be taught extra about rising spinach right here.
28. Sunflowers
You like sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) for his or her large, cheery blooms and nutritious seeds, however do you know they’ll additionally function companion crops 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 several types of sunflowers, it may be arduous to decide on only one.
‘Velvet Queen’ has yellow and burgundy petals, reaches 5 ft tall, and occurs to be probably the greatest 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 searching for a low-growing floor cowl that may even entice useful 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 attractive on the similar time.
Attract Pastel Mix bears a mixture of purple, white, and pink flowers, for gardeners who can’t determine which shade to develop.
Attract Pastel Mix Candy Alyssum
You will discover packets of Attract Pastel Mix candy alyssum seeds from Botanical Pursuits.
Get suggestions for rising candy alyssum right here.
30. Tansy
With delicate, fern-like foliage and button-shaped yellow flowers, tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is probably not quite common, however this herb does have its devotees.
Tansy will not be used as a culinary herb as a lot as a medicinal one, and must be utilized in moderation because it comprises a probably poisonous compound.
Within the backyard, tansy repels Colorado potato beetles making it excellent for rising close to your potatoes.
Tansy
You 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 basic companion crops, attracting useful bugs like ladybugs and hoverflies to your potato crops.
California Giants is a favourite zinnia mix that produces massive, 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 suggestions 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 related rising wants, they aren’t excellent neighbors within the backyard.
These crops are vulnerable to most of the similar pests and illnesses.