Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Paulines7 on May 07, 2007, 17:29:19

Title: Tomatoes and Potatoes in the same area
Post by: Paulines7 on May 07, 2007, 17:29:19
After I had planted 30 tomato plants I realised that they were very close to the potatoes.  Will they cross polinate and will it affect the tomatoes?  The only thing I can do is to make sure my potato plants don't flower by cutting any buds off.  Any advice please would be very welcome.   :D
Title: Re: Tomatoes and Potatoes in the same area
Post by: saddad on May 07, 2007, 17:49:34
There shouldn't be any pollination problems unless you were intending to save your tom. seeds... the fruit won't be affected but with older potato leaf varieties there would be an effect on the next generation. The only real problem will be blight which will affect both crops and spread from one to the other...
:-\
Title: Re: Tomatoes and Potatoes in the same area
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 07, 2007, 19:57:00
It'll spread anyway, even if they're as far apart as you can get them!
Title: Re: Tomatoes and Potatoes in the same area
Post by: Tin Shed on May 07, 2007, 20:41:00
On an allotment site it is very difficult to keep them apart, even if you have them on opposite ends of your plot, your neighbour may have planted his potatoes very near your toms.
Title: Re: Tomatoes and Potatoes in the same area
Post by: Paulines7 on May 07, 2007, 21:17:55
Thanks for all your help, you have put my mind at rest.    ;D 
I don't get blight and my neighbours are a long way off so hopefully all will be well.  I don't normally save the seed from tomatoes nor do I use my own potatoes for the following year.  I feel so much happier now I know I haven't got to move them all.   :D

OH and I got the last of the potatoes in today.  We had to dig the plot twice to get rid of the nettles and dock.  We put some compost in but the soil is like dust!  I think the sprinkler will have to come out if we don't get enough rain in the next few days.  What we had overnight has just wetted the surface.   :(