Why Plant Beans and Potatoes Together?
Beans and potatoes have been planted side by side for centuries by farmers all over the world. There are good reasons why these two veggies make such compatible companions in the garden.
Both scientifically and anecdotally, beans and potatoes have been shown to benefit each other in their growth and help deter pests when planted side by side.
They Help Each Other Grow
One of the primary ways that beans and potatoes work well together is through their combined nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake abilities.
Beans are legumes that have the unique ability to fix nitrogen in the soil through nodules formed on their roots by Rhizobia bacteria.
This nitrogen fixation process captures atmospheric nitrogen and converts it to a form that both the beans and nearby plants can utilize as a nutrient.
Since nitrogen is a key component of amino acids and proteins necessary for plant growth, the nitrogen fixed by the beans helps contribute to greater potato yields.
At the same time, the staking vines of various types of beans, such as pole beans, use nearby structures for support as they grow upward.
The potato plants make for perfect stationary stakes, as their substantial foliage and stems allow the beans to climb and reach higher.
The beans are then able to weave their way through and around the leaves and stems of the potatoes. This close proximity improves growth efficiencies for both crops.
Natural Pest Control
When beans and potatoes are planted in close proximity, their mingled leaves, vines and foliage make for a more structurally complex micro-habitat that is unwelcoming to many common pest insects or disease organisms.
Both the varied textures of the hairy bean vines versus the smoother potato leaves, as well as the layered layout of their intermingled growth, disrupt pests’ ability to easily locate a food source and damage the crops.
Many insects that may feed on either beans or potatoes alone are less able to do so when the two are planted together.
This natural pest control helps organic growers avoid chemical interventions. Variety Selection When choosing varieties of these companion plants, consider the growing conditions on your farm or in your garden.
For the beans, climbing pole beans will make best use of the potatoes as a trellis. Some disease-resistant varieties suitable for pairing with potatoes include ‘Kentucky Wonder,’ ‘Rattlesnake,’ and ‘Blue Lake.’
Good potato varieties to pair with beans include long-season-producing types that will be planted early enough alongside the beans’ growing period. ‘Kennebec,’ ‘Yukon Gold,’ and ‘Purple Peruvian’ potatoes have shown success when grown with pole beans.
When selecting varieties, aim for complementary styles, colors, sizes and harvest periods between the two crops.
Soil Preparation To support the nutritional needs of both beans and potatoes, incorporate several inches of organic matter, like compost or well-aged manure, into the planting bed a few weeks before sowing.
Legumes like beans pull nitrogen from the air with the help of rhizobia bacteria, but still require plentiful phosphorus and potassium, which can be supplied through quality soil amendments.
Potatoes are heavy feeders that appreciate a nutrient-rich environment for optimal yields. A soil test can identify any additional amendments needed.
Ensure good soil drainage is achieved by working in coarse sand or perlite if the soil texture is dense clay. Proper drainage is important for both crops’ health.
Overly wet soil can cause potato rotting or bean mildew issues. the key is fluffy, fertile soil to maximize these companion plants’ growth.
Read more: Green Bean Growth Stages: Life cycle
Planting Method and Layout
There are a few different approaches that can be taken to the physical layout of beans and potatoes planted together. A popular method is to alternate mounds or rows of the two crops, spacing them 6–12 inches apart, depending on variety size.
Another technique involves growing the beans up trellises made from twine or wire suspended between and around the periphery of potato hills or mounds spaced 2-3 feet apart. The emerging potato foliage acts as a living trellis underneath.
Yet another option is intercropping, which mixes both crop seeds/seedlings together in the same hole. Some growers have had success lightly planting potato seed pieces a few inches deep first before placing 2-3 bean seeds on top of each at a similar depth.
Regardless of specific layout, be sure both crops have ample access to sun and air circulation to avoid issues like blight or mildew. Their symbiotic cycle works best when they can readily interact, so avoid designs where one may lodge or shade out the other.
Spacing Variations The table below compares popular potato-bean spacing and seeding methods:
| Method | Potato Spacing | Bean Planting |
| Alternating Rows | 1-2 feet | Between potato rows |
| Hilled Potatoes+Trellises | 2-3 feet hills | At base or around hills |
| Intercropped | Potatoes and beans are put together in same holes | 2-3 beans/potato seed pieces |
Planting and Care Calendar
Here is a guide for planting and caring for companion beans and potatoes over the course of a season:
Spring
- Start potatoes indoors 4-6 weeks before last spring frost for a head start.
- Hardening off occurs 2 weeks before transplanting outside.
- Transplant potatoes in garden when soil reaches 50°F, spacing as described above.
Late Spring
- After danger of frost passes, direct sow bean seeds 1-2 inches deep between potato rows or hills at a spacing of 3–4 seeds per clump every 4-6 inches.
- Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost to support new growth.
Summer
- As beans emerge, provide trellises, twine or stakes for vines to climb. Keep area well-weeded.
- When vines bloom, side-dress with additional nitrogen fertilizer around potato plants.
- Provide 1-2 inches of water per week, especially if rain is lacking.
Late Summer
- begin harvesting “new” potatoes gently from soil.
- harvest bushes beans or pole beans as pods mature and dry.
Fall
- after first light frosts blacken tops, remove remaining bean vines.
- harvest remaining mature potatoes by gently forking under plants.
Winter
- properly cure and store potatoes in a dark, humid place above 40°F for long-term storage.
Does this schedule cover the key tasks you need to know over the season for your companion beans and potatoes?
Harvesting and Storing the Bounty
There are a few tricks to harvesting a bountiful crop of both beans and potatoes planted together:
Picking Beans Harvest bush or pole beans by twisting or snapping off mature seed pods from the vine. Pods should feel full and “snap” rather than bend. Pick every 2-3 days to encourage further production.
Potatoes: Start harvesting “new” potatoes mid-season by gently forking around plants and collecting any developing tubers. These can be eaten right away or stored short-term in a cool, humid place.
Waiting until after first autumn frost kills vines is best for full maturity. Carefully dig, shake or lift entire plant stands and collect all potatoes clinging to uprooted plants. Brush or wash off excess soil.
Curing and Storing Cure potatoes at least 2 weeks in a dark, humid place above 40°F to allow skins to dry and harden, preventing rotting in storage.
Dry beans completely before shelling the pods. Store potatoes throughout winter in a cold cellar or root vegetables bin to prevent sprouting until they are ready to use.
Dried beans remain edible for over a year if kept in an air-tight container in a cool, dry space.