Did I goof? Potatoes next to melons..

AesSedai 3/6/2012, 3:00 pm

So, I have my master plan set for SFG's this year (when I have time at home I will upload images of it and crosslink it here).

Problem is: I've already planted potatoes. I'm doing a 4 square foot row of them in a 4x4 garden. I thought I had my companion plantings down and then yesterday while reading here I found a flaw in my plan...

Anyone have experience with growing melons next to potatoes? Potatoes - Did I goof? Potatoes next to melons.. 601593

Potatoes - Did I goof? Potatoes next to melons.. 601593

I want to try to grow watermelon and cantaloupe on a nylon netting trellis using the back row of the 4x4 garden. Problem is, I planted the potatoes right in front of that area. Now I read that melons and potatoes stunt each other's growth. So, has anyone done this? Does it greatly affect their growth? I'm thinking about doing it anyway just to see Wink

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

**camprn** 3/10/2012, 8:22 am

I have no practical experience with these two plants together, but if you are going to go with the information you have, it may be worth while to plant the melons elsewhere. What a Face

curio 3/10/2012, 9:16 am

I'm looking but can't find anything that tells me how far apart "not next to" is for these two. I don't know the reason it's not recommended (and can't find that either)... whether it's sharing a common disease, toxic chemicals (toxic to the other plant) leached into the soil, or some sort of unnoticeable gas given off by one or the other. It would be helpful to know this, so if you can find the reason, you might know a bit more.

Every resource I find though, says that they are not compatible. If anyone knows why, perhaps they will chime in.

**camprn** 3/10/2012, 9:26 am

Putting the melons and squash in a different box would be the best idea.

quiltbea 3/10/2012, 1:16 pm

I believe its because they both take the same minerals and trace elements from the soil so will deplete the soil too much, making pests and disease run rampant in both crops. You also shouldn't plant these same crops following one another the next year for that reason.

curio 3/10/2012, 1:54 pm

ah Quiltbea, that makes sense. I would think that using two separate boxes would be ok, then.

quiltbea 3/10/2012, 2:58 pm

curio....That's what I'd do, use separate boxes.

**walshevak** 3/10/2012, 6:10 pm

Potatoes - Did I goof? Potatoes next to melons.. 811519

Is this an excuse for a new box?

Kay

AesSedai 3/10/2012, 7:28 pm

- Appreciate the responses everyone!

quiltbea - Thanks for the explanation. I've tried looking here and on the internet and hadn't had any luck getting a good explanation regarding how they inhibit each other's growth.

Well, looks like I need to heed all of the good advice and rethink things a bit.

Kay - Evil or Very Mad

I think you might be onto something there! I need to think about it a bit though, as my backyard is running out of space Sad

AesSedai 3/16/2012, 8:58 pm

- So thanks again, Kay Very Happy

I'm building a new 1x4 foot box for the potatoes this evening. The potatoes are really taking off now.. I'm going to attempt a 'potato transplant' tomorrow night after I get the new box in position!

Thanks to all the good advice here, I decided that was probably the best thing to do. I really want to try the cantaloupe and watermelon this year, so if I end up losing the potatoes (which I don't anticipate happening), then so be it.

My cantaloupe has sprouted and the watermelon will go in the ground tomorrow!

There will be pictures.. time is a precious commodity these days; and I hope to have a bit more of it after all this spring cleaning / garden prepping is taken care of. Loving the sfgardening!

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