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Potatoes will be more, and beetles will be fewer: a garden trick to increase the harvest
There is a very interesting method of planting potatoes: throwing potatoes and peas into one hole. And it's not just about saving space in the garden.
Experts say that these are compatible crops, and the proximity will help to get a generous harvest. They will not compete for light, nutrients, or growth areas. Read the OBOZREVATEL article on how to plant potatoes with peas and whether there will be any benefit from this.
How peas affect potatoes
It turns out that peas will be very useful for potato growth. Small "capsules" are formed on the roots of peas, which accumulate nitrogen under the influence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria can convert the nitrogen they take from the air into another form that is quickly and easily absorbed by plant roots.
And it's not just peas. In general, legumes enrich the soil for potatoes, so the latter will produce a large and generous harvest.
How to plant potatoes with peas
Everything is very simple. There are two ways of planting. You can simply throw the potatoes and peas together into the holes when you plant them.
The other way is to wait until the first sprouts appear and carefully dip a pea into each bush.
When the peas are ripe, their pods begin to break off. The stem itself should be dug up along with the potatoes. Peas have short roots and will not inhibit the growth of tubers.
An alternative to peas
Alternatively, you can use beans instead of peas. The principle is the same: a potato and a bean are thrown into the same hole.
Experienced gardeners say that peas or beans help get rid of the Colorado potato beetle. Those who have already tried this life hack claim that the number of pests really decreases. Even insecticide treatment may not be necessary. Peas and beans also protect potatoes from the wireworm.
By the way, when organizing the beds, you need to keep in mind the rules of the neighborhood. Some vegetables should not be planted next to each other - they will "take" nutrients from the soil and have common diseases. For example, tomatoes, eggplants, hot and sweet peppers will be bad neighbors for potatoes.
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