Gardening Guide: Three Sisters Native American planting method
A Native American agricultural practice of planting corn, beans and squash close together in a way that benefits the other is known as the Three Sisters. Corn provides support for beans to climb. Beans provide nitrogen to the soil. Squash acts to control weeds and deter pests with its large leaves covering the soil. After the last frost in your area, to plant using the Three Sisters companion planting method:
- Choose a sunny location in your yard.
- Build a mound 12 inches high and 2-to-3 feet in diameter.
- Plant corn seeds in the middle of mound. Allow the corn to grow 6 inches in height.
- Plant bean seeds in a circle around the corn. Plant squash seeds on the outer rim of the mound.
Traditionally, rotten fish were planted at the time the corn seeds were planted. A more modern, and perhaps more desirable method of providing needed nutrients for the Three Sisters is a fish emulsion fertilizer.
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