How to Create a Native American Three Sisters Garden

Native American tribes have used companion planting techniques for thousands of years. The "Three Sisters" planting technique is one of them. The Three Sisters are corn (originally called maize), beans and squash. Intermingling these crops benefited all three: the corn provided shade for the spreading squash and vertical support for the beans; the squash shaded the ground and kept weeds down and raccoons away from the corn, and the beans provided nitrogen for all three plants. Planting a Native American Three Sisters garden is an easy project for anyone with even the tiniest green thumb.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Corn, squash and bean seeds
• Growing soil
• Water
• Compost

1. Determine the location of your Three Sisters garden. You can plant the garden in your yard or in a large planter, as long as the location receives at least 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight a day.

2. Start with the right soil. The soil should be fluffy and full of vegetative matter. If your soil is poor, mix in compost, peat moss or aged manure to build the soil's nutrient level. If planting in a pot, make sure it has lots of drainage and cover the bottom of the pot with at least 2 inches of gravel before adding the soil. This will allow the pot to drain well.

3. Consider your Three Sisters garden's watering needs. Vegetable plants require constant and consistent water. Plant your garden where your garden hose will reach it or where it is easy to water from your rain barrel. If you plant your Three Sisters garden in a pot, you will need to water daily during the hot days of summer.

4. Choose your seeds. If you want to grow your Three Sisters garden as authentically as possible, you can find sources of heirloom Native American corn, bean and squash seeds on-line or simply choose what appeals to your family. The beans should be a pole-type rather than a bush-type and the squash should be a winter squash.

5. Plant your Three Sisters garden in the spring after any chance of frost. For each Three Sisters grouping, plant six corn seeds interspersed with six bean seeds near the middle of the planting. Plant four squash seeds in a circle surrounding the other seeds. Tamp down the soil over the top of the seeds and water gently but thoroughly.

6. Keep the soil watered thoroughly during the growing season. The beans will begin to climb the corn stalks and the squash will spread around the corn and beans. Pick the beans as they become ripe if you are eating the whole bean and not drying them.

7. Harvest each crop as it becomes ripe. If you are drying beans, they will be ready when the bean pods are plump and the foliage begins to die back. The corn will be ready when the tassels begin to darken and dry. The squash will be ready when they achieve the desired color and feel hard to the touch.

8. Celebrate the harvest! The Native Americans always feasted and celebrated the taking in of the crops in the fall. It's part of the tradition of Thanksgiving that carries on even today. Find recipes that incorporate all Three Sisters.

[Braveheartc]

on 8/31/2008 Very good article. Planting a three sisters garden can also save space in your garden.