Would peas work inbetween potato rows?

[ourarka]

I always think the gaps, in between rows of potatoes, are crying out for something but aware that it needs to be quite tall and thin so as to allow earthing up of potatoes and so it's not crowded out. Last year I tried sweetcorn, to reasonable effect, but hard to have in 'blocks' for optimum fertilisation.

Just wondered if peas would work, with long trellises down the row and the peas would be established before the potatoes started getting bushy?

[WendyC]

If you want to use the space between rows, you need to grow something quick growing such as radish. This will crop in 4-6 weeks then they will be harvested before the earth is needed for earthing up. I think peas will be in the ground too long and be in the way. Also when my potatoes are fully grown, the leaves completely smother the ground and any weeds, I can't see peas having much of a chance.

[TrialAndError]

[QUOTE=WendyC;1188602]I can't see peas having much of a chanceQUOTE]

Intersting idea but the dwarf peas will get smothered I think. Wonder if climbing peas (Alderman are the best for me) could straddle the rows of new potatoes? Problem might be crop rotation, peas and potatoes together would rather muck any crop rotation plan up. Lettuce, radish might do better at the beginning of the season.

[ourarka]

Sorry, should have been more specific - I mean climbing peas, that would be well established on the trellis by the time the potatoes bush out. As for crop rotation, I have a 6 year cycle so shouldn't be a prob?

[marcofez]

The only problems for me would be that the peas would be in the way when earthing up, would that mean larger spacing? So a quick growing crop would be better in my mind.
Have a go and see how you get on, please let us know your results. Cheers.

[andy_j]

Just wondering whether the nitrogen produced by the peas' roots would make the potatoes too leafy. I've always though a crop such as spinnach or cabbage would do better if grown alongside legumes

[rustylady]

Just wondering whether the nitrogen produced by the peas' roots would make the potatoes too leafy. I've always though a crop such as spinnach or cabbage would do better if grown alongside legumes

This thing about peas and beans producing nitrogen is a bit misleading. They do fix nitrogen for their own use in nodules on the roots, but this nitrogen is not available to other crops.

[Veggielot]

I think peas could work as long as its a climbing variety. The support for the peas may get in the way a bit when earthing up but shouldn't be insubmountable. I think you need to consider when you will be harvesting them. If you could get the peas picked before the potatoes need digging up might work best.

[ourarka]

The only problems for me would be that the peas would be in the way when earthing up, would that mean larger spacing?

Have a go and see how you get on, please let us know your results. Cheers.

Thanks, I will do. I am lucky enough that my beds are quite wide so should be enough room for narrow supports, plus earthing up room. When I planted sweetcorn last year, there was plenty of room for both.

[sparrow100]

I'm trying taking out some of the topsoil next year so I earth up from that rather than drawing soil from the sides. Then I can grow something slower in the furrows.

Radishes worked really well for me this year. Except that I couldn't eat over 100 radishes which were all ready at the same time...

[andy_j]

This thing about peas and beans producing nitrogen is a bit misleading. They do fix nitrogen for their own use in nodules on the roots, but this nitrogen is not available to other crops.

Not going against your ideas but why do we put fields down to lea with clover etc. The idea is that we sow clover or other legumes and then grow other leafy crops on that site

[Two_Sheds]

...so as to allow earthing up of potatoes

You don't need to earth up potatoes at all. You can grow them under a mulch (I use wet newspapers, topped with grass clippings or straw)

[ourarka]

I'm intrigued - do you put that stuff on when you plant the tubers .... or gradually around the sides as they grow up?

[lottie dolly]

IF it's of any help,i experimented this year with hay,i piled it on top at planting time,it would have been better to wait until the green shoots came up,and then put it on,my shoots were all very leggy,they only had green on after hitting the open air,the spuds however were good,it also kept control of the weeds fine,ext the strong dominant ones,another small area,i put the seed on top of the ground,and covered up,it took longer to grow,the spudz were smaller,but plenty off them,whilst i was impressed with things,i have found out,the hay was not good for me,so the rest got burned,no one else wanted it,even then the smoke effected me quite badly,sooooo,never again for me,recone it was the spoores when it got wet,

[Sheneval]

Sorry, should have been more specific - I mean climbing peas, that would be well established on the trellis by the time the potatoes bush out. As for crop rotation, I have a 6 year cycle so shouldn't be a prob?

I will be liming the bed where the peas will go next year which is where the potatoes went this year - as potatoes prefer an acid soil I don't think they are suitable for growing together,