Can tomatoes be planted where potatoes used to be?

It's generally not a good idea to plant tomatoes where potatoes used to be, especially within the same growing season. Here's why:

* Shared Diseases: Tomatoes and potatoes are both susceptible to several of the same diseases, such as late blight, early blight, and verticillium wilt. Planting them in the same spot consecutively increases the risk of these diseases spreading.

* Pest Issues: Both crops can attract similar pests like Colorado potato beetles and aphids. If these pests were present in the previous potato crop, they might still be in the soil and infest your tomatoes.

* Soil Depletion: Potatoes are heavy feeders and can deplete the soil of certain nutrients, especially nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. This can leave the soil less ideal for tomatoes, which also need those nutrients to thrive.

What to Do Instead:

* Crop Rotation: The best practice is to rotate your crops. Plant tomatoes in a different spot each year, and avoid planting potatoes in that spot for at least 3 years.

* Soil Amendments: Before planting tomatoes, amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve its fertility and health.

* Disease Prevention: Be vigilant about monitoring for signs of disease and take steps to prevent it.

Exceptions:

* If you're certain there were no disease issues: If you haven't had problems with potato diseases in the past, you might be able to get away with planting tomatoes in the same spot. But it's still best to err on the side of caution.

* You're growing in containers: If you're growing in containers, the risk of soil-borne diseases is lower. But it's still good practice to rotate your crops whenever possible.

Overall: While it's not impossible to plant tomatoes where potatoes used to be, it's not recommended for optimal health and yield. Following crop rotation principles is the best way to keep your garden healthy and productive over time.