Is it best to rotate my potatoes into a different garden bed?
Question:
I have only two beds large enough to grow potatoes. Last year, I grew potatoes in one and tomatoes in the other. Which is better (or less worse) to grow potatoes in this year?
Answer:
Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant
I appreciate how you phrased that question (less worse!). Sometimes our garden or growing space does not match our needs! Sounds like you know that it would be beneficial to rotate your solanaceous (tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant etc.) crops out of these beds, because plants belonging to the same family are usually susceptible to the same pests and diseases and require similar nutrients. That being said, I’d say “less worse” would be to put your potatoes where your tomatoes were to avoid, at the very least, the same exact crop in the same spot multiple years in a row. Both crops are heavy feeders so you may want to consider some type of fertilizer at some point, depending on the soil quality.
Check out Plant Rotation in the Garden Based on Plant Families from Penn State Extension for more information on rotating crops.