Concord Village EarthLab

Join us to start a Three Sisters Garden Saturday morning!

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)

• 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 leaves of squash plants shade the ground which helps retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.

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 Saturday!

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. And thanks to those who have already sent a msg!).

For more details on upcoming planting and activities, check the calendar of events .

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

Watch this page (and subscribe for email notification from CVEarthlab.com ) to stay up to date on the latest activities and offerings. This timeline lays out the planned order of time-sensitive tasks. Dates and times may change based on weather.

Key Dates and Seasonal Targets to Note

Saturday, April 10th , 10:30am to 11:00am

Three Sisters Planting & Bed Prep

We will prep the bed, build mounds of soil, and plant corn. For more–> The Three Sisters Garden

Mid-April Raised Bed Prep & Work Day

Put your hands in the dirt! We will fill the beds with soil and compost. Little hands needed for tilling!

Mid-April Strawberry Plant Transplanting & Potato Planting

TBD – Based on exactly when orders arrive

Week of April 26th

Plant Sister 2 of 3 Sisters Garden (Pole beans)

Plant Distribution

Saturday May 1st

This is for people who pre-ordered kitchen herb pots (basil, parsley, dill) and lavender starts. Come to the garden to get’em!

Flower Transplanting

Fri Eve/Sat/Sunday (Ap 30, May 1st & 2nd)

After the flats of marigolds, coleus, snap dragons arrive from the GrowNYC plant sale, extra hands will be needed to care for and transplant the flowers into raised beds and containers around the garden. Lots of watering opportunities!

Week of May 2nd

Plant Sister 3 of The 3 Sisters Garden: Squash

Wednesday Evenings in May (Tentative)

Gardeners will converge to discuss care for the seedlings started at March workshop. Bring your questions to the garden. Exact time TBD. Also in May: Opportunities to harvest sugar snap peas and various lettuces.

Late May, Early June

Transplant the tomatoes, peppers and flowers we’ve been growing at home on a weekday evening or weekend day.

About CVEarthlab Garden: CVEarthlab is a self-funded educational garden in the children’s play area behind 195 Adams St. Learn more at CVEarthlab.com. All residents are most welcome to plant with us!

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

We failed to reach our fundraising target, so we are extending the plant sale for 48 hours. The new deadline to submit a pre-paid order is Saturday April 3rd.

PLANT SALE FUNDRAISER

We are selling plants to raise money for the garden.  Thanks for considering purchasing a plant through CVEarthlab’s Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser! Plants arrive on Saturday May 1st, a week before Mother’s Day.

Pot of Kitchen Herbs

Basil, parsley, and dill together in a round, 6″ decorative planter. (No substitutions) $15.00

Lavender Seedling

Unlike the kitchen herbs, this small plant comes in a plastic cell, approximately 3” deep – it will need to be transplanted into a planter or window box. $10.00

How to Buy

• All orders must be prepaid by Saturday April 3, 2021.
• Plants will be ready for pickup by Saturday, May 1, 2021.
• Send your order to CVEarthlab@gmail.com. You can send the suggested donation electronically via Venmo (@Misssha). To pay by check, leave one made out to Concord Village Owners Inc (with CVEarthlab in the notation line) with the doorman at one of two buildings:  195 Adams St. (to the attention of Shari Rueckl) or 175 Adams St (to Denise Maher). 

About CVEarthlab Garden: CVEarthlab is a self-funded educational garden in the children’s play area behind 195 Adams St. Learn more at CVEarthlab.com. All residents are most welcome to plant with us!