This year we’ll plant a Three Sisters Garden in one of the raised garden beds. The three sister crops are corn, squash, and beans. These plants are grown together as part of a crop management system used by Iroquois and other indigenous peoples for hundreds of years.
Corn, Squash, and Bean Plants Help Each Other Grow
Like close sisters or siblings, the plants support and help each other. These companion plants complement each other in the garden as well as on the plate (nutritionally)
The Three Sister Plants Thrive and Survive Together
Here’s how
- Corn provides tall stalks for the beans to climb so that they are not out-competed by sprawling squash vines.
- Climbing pole beans provide nitrogen to fertilize the soil while also stabilizing the tall corn and hugging everything together. (Beans are nitrogen-fixers that host rhizobia on their roots that can take nitrogen, a much needed plant nutrient, from the air and convert it into forms that can be absorbed by plant roots.)
- The large leaves of squash plants shade the ground which helps retain soil moisture and prevent weeds. These leaves are prickly, and are said to deter pests like raccoons, who do not like to step on them.
This method of planting, companion planting, is considered sustainable, as it gives back to the earth the nutrients that it removes from the soil.
Join the Family Fun!
We will plant this raised bed in phases, starting with the corn on Saturday April 10th at 1030am. (RSVP to cvearthlab@gmail.com — These are much appreciated, to allow for social distance planning). Check the calendar of events for more on the spring timeline.
Three Sisters Garden Resources
Look through these links to learn more about the Three Sisters
—Cornell Garden-Based Learning: Three Sisters and Planting a Three Sisters Garden PDF
— The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash: How to Plant a Three Sisters Garden (from The Farmer’s Almanac)
–In Benji’s elementary school, third graders planted this as part of science class.
—The Three Sisters Garden Guide
—Three Sisters Companion Planting
Concord Village EarthLab 
When the kids were small, we always made a three sisters pyramid, and they were delighted with the stories.
Very interesting article, this year I will try to plant by the method of three sisters. Thank you very much!