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can I grow potatoes under apple trees?

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  • #1

    can I grow potatoes under apple trees?

    Have heard somwhere that this is unwise as, iirc, the apple trees secrete a substance that inhibits the growth of the potatoes. Now I think on it, that might be the last dismal remnants of my A level biology!

    So I have 2 apple trees on each side of my potential potato plot. They were planted the autumn before last. The plot isn't huge but I think its best sited in terms of avoiding blight (reasonable elevation, well drained soil, no nightshade family there during our tennancy). Blight is a very big problem on our allotments, and we can only get a crop at all by growing sarpo etc.

    What do you reckon? Should I stick the potatoes in under the trees, or should I dig over a new bit of ground? (we have some space right at the back of the plot, it is right now our <ahem> blackberry growing patch, plus of course a dump for all the previous tennant's building related rubbish-. Big job though)
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  • #2
    Hi Edith. It sounds like you have every problem possible on that plot. May I suggest that you try container growing some in some old compost bags or pots and you can place them anywhere you have space in the plot. Try and grow earlies so that they are harvested before blight strikes.
    Potato videos here.

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    • #3
      Edith, as always that's really sound advice from TTM, personally I only grow earlies and in containers these days, much easier, safer, more varieties and (I and others reckon) they taste better too! Not practical for commercial growers maybe but fine for personal use... For hobbyist, allotmenteer and farmer, as far as blight is concerned by registering the postcode of the growing area (be it garden, allotment or fields) with the Potato Council you can receive by email some FREE advance warning of any likelihood of blight (i.e. when various temperature and humidity conditions which make it more likely apply). To some extent it may only be the forerunner of bad news but of course there are some preventative measures you can take. Free registration for 2009 is now available at
      Fight Against Blight: Blight outbreak reporting service | Blightwatch.co.uk: Blight infection risk reporting service
      The warning system - which I assume is computer automated - seems equally able and willing to cope whether you grow one patio bag for a special Sunday lunch or are a mega commercial grower....
      b.
      .

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      • #4
        Thanks for the link, bazzaboy! Not sure what they'll make of my registration details - I have somewhat tenuous links to research projects interested in crop diseases, so I put down "Other" as my business, with my real job title and company

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        • #5
          From what i recall apple trees have fairly shallow feeding roots that normally stretch as far as the furthest branch, i would be worried that if planted under these trees then your potatoes may damage the root system too much when harvesting. If you want to know anything about apples then I'm sure FB could set you straight, just try the fruit section of this forum.

          Continer growing is going to be much safer and potentially easier,

          Good Luck

          D
          www.myspace.com/alexfcooke
          www.outofthecool.com
          http://polytunneldiaries.blogspot.com/

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          • #6
            thanks all. I am going to be growing in containers at home but I was really hoping to try planting direct into soil at the allotment-I really don't think I have enough containers! Was hoping to get away with direct planting but of an early blight and slug resistant variety.

            TM, lol the plot does seem well endowed with most problems, but I love it! It does have great views too (being on a hill)

            thanks for info re blightwatch! Will subscribe to that.

            Interesting re shallow roots, but don't think I'll be going that near them anyway. The trees are still pretty small...

            A google search is not turning anything up re apples and potatoes, strange, am sure I heard something about it...

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