Jim Carlock wrote:

All members of the cabbage family are heavy feeders and like a rich
soil (rich meaning manured). They also crave calcium (lime). Potatoes
on the other hand dislike limed soil. And while the book states that
the fragrance of potatoes (and other aromatic crops) helps, it doesn't
state to plant potatoes next to cabbage. (In fact, it states under the
"Potatoes" section, that potatoes dislike lime). It appears as one of
those overlooked things while she wrote the book (easy enough to do).


Yes, there are ways to accomodate potatoes in your garden, but really
very few possible companions. Potatoes will like semi-composted wood
chips mixed with compost, high organic matter, well drained, high Ca,
but low pH. I suppose garlic is one of the few veggies that will thrive
in similar conditions. The other veggies I know that accept some
acidity (tomatoes, squash family) are all no-nos.

The interesting part is that you can make life comfortable for your
veggies, simply by knowing their preferred pH, and major nutrient
requirements, using only wood ash (alkaline), manure (basic
fertilizer), wood chips (acidity). Wood chips might be 0-0.2-0.2, pH
about 4. to 5.5 depending on how advanced their composting is. Manure
is 2-1-2, dry weight, and about neutral. Ash is 0-2-7, pH 10.4. Of
course I use also leaves (neutral, low nutrients) and composted kitchen
scraps (high nutrients, similar to manure).

The best gardening books will usually tell you pH range and nutrient
requirements for each veggie. You then proceed to group them according
to their fertilization requirements, and then within the bed you might
decide to interplant them according to companion preferences.