Introduction

What is the Three Sisters Companion Planting Method?

The Three Sisters Companion Planting Method is a traditional agricultural practice that involves growing corn, beans, and squash together to create a mutually beneficial relationship among the plants. In this method, corn plants grow tall and provide support for pole beans, which in turn fix nitrogen in the soil, enhancing its fertility.

Squash plants, with their broad leaves and squash vines, spread along the ground, acting as a living mulch to suppress weed growth and retain soil moisture. This method, deeply rooted in Native American tribes' agricultural practices, has been used for centuries to create a sustainable and nutritious diet, with each plant contributing to the success of the others in the garden.

Why Choose the Three Sisters Method?

Choosing the three sisters method for your garden offers numerous benefits for both gardeners and the environment. This ancient practice, which combines corn plants, pole beans, and squash vines, creates a natural companion planting system that enhances soil fertility and structure, reduces weed growth, and optimizes the use of garden space.

The three sisters planting diagram illustrates how these plants work synergistically: corn stalks provide a natural trellis for pole beans, while squash plants with their broad leaves help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Together, these warm season plants contribute to a nutritious diet and achieve satisfactory yields, making the three sisters garden a sustainable choice for any garden site.

Understanding the Three Sisters

The Origins of the Three Sisters

The three sisters method has its origins in the agricultural practices of Indigenous peoples, particularly among Native American tribes such as the Iroquois. This method, which involves planting corn plants, pole beans, and squash vines together, reflects a sophisticated understanding of companion planting and sustainable agriculture.

Historically, these three sisters gardens provided essential nutrients through natural processes: corn stalks supported the pole beans, while squash plants acted as a green manure cover crop, enhancing soil fertility and reducing weed growth.

Over time, the three sisters planting diagram has evolved, but the core principles of planting corn seeds, bean seeds, and squash seeds together remain a testament to the ingenuity and environmental stewardship of the Native American cultures.

What Are the Three Sisters?

The three sisters—corn, beans, and squash—form a harmonious trio in the three sisters garden, each playing a crucial role in this time-tested companion planting system. Corn plants act as the supportive structure, providing sturdy corn stalks that offer natural trellises for the pole beans to climb.

The beans serve as the nitrogen fixers, enhancing soil fertility through their bean roots and acting as a green manure cover crop.

Meanwhile, squash plants with their broad squash vines and large squash leaves create a protective ground cover, helping to suppress weed growth and retain soil moisture, which allows the three sisters to thrive together in a well-balanced ecosystem.

The Science Behind the Synergy

The three sisters—corn, beans, and squash—demonstrate a remarkable synergy in the three sisters garden through their complementary roles. The corn plants provide vertical support with their tall corn stalks, allowing the pole beans to climb and utilize the space effectively.

The beans contribute to soil health by fixing nitrogen through their bean roots, enriching the soil as a natural green manure cover crop. Meanwhile, squash plants, with their extensive squash vines and large leaves, act as a ground cover, which helps retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and enhance biodiversity.

This dense cover not only deters pests by reducing their access to the soil but also supports beneficial insects, creating a more balanced garden ecosystem. This interplay improves soil structure, reduces the need for commercial fertilizers, and enhances overall plant health, leading to a productive and resilient sisters garden.

Setting Up a Three Sisters Garden

Choosing the Right Varieties

Setting up a three sisters garden involves carefully selecting the right varieties for each crop to maximize their complementary benefits. When planting corn, opt for varieties like flour corns or other corn varieties that will provide sturdy support with their corn stalks.

For the beans, choose pole bean seeds such as scarlet runner beans or snap beans; these are excellent for nitrogen fixing and climbing, as they will utilize the vertical space and enrich the soil. Squash plants should include mini pumpkin seeds or six squash seeds of varieties like winter squash that thrive as ground cover and help with weed suppression, ensuring a productive and balanced sisters garden.

Preparing the Soil

To set up a successful three sisters garden, preparing the soil is crucial. Start by conducting a soil test to assess pH and nutrient levels; this will guide necessary amendments. Incorporate organic matter like peat moss and winter rye to enhance soil structure and fertility, as the three sisters—corn, beans, and squash—each have different nutrient needs.

For example, corn plants are heavy nitrogen feeders, while pole beans like scarlet runner beans will benefit from the nitrogen fixed by their roots, and squash plants require well-balanced soil to support their growth. Regularly amend the soil with organic matter to ensure it remains fertile, which helps the plants thrive and supports the successful planting of the three sisters.

Planting Layout and Spacing

When setting up a three sisters garden, the planting layout and spacing are essential for optimal growth. Traditionally, the mound planting technique is used: create mounds about 1 foot high and 2 feet wide, plant corn seeds in the center, which provides a natural support for the pole bean seeds and squash seeds around the perimeter.

Space the corn plants about 6 inches apart, and plant six pole bean seeds per mound to ensure they have adequate support from the corn stalks. Modern adaptations might use rows or containers, but maintaining adequate spacing and arrangement ensures that each plant can thrive and contribute effectively to the sisters garden, resulting in a balanced and productive three sisters garden.

When and How to Plant Each Sister

For a successful three sisters garden, timing and planting technique are crucial. Start by planting corn first, as it needs the longest growing period; sow corn seeds about 1 to 2 weeks before the last frost. Once the corn reaches 4 to 6 inches tall, typically in two to three weeks, plant beans by sowing pole bean seeds around the corn, ensuring they can climb the developing stalks.

After the beans are established and the corn is taller, plant squash seeds such as mini pumpkin seed or six squash seeds around the base to act as ground cover. This staggered planting allows each plant to establish itself and support the others effectively, while proper planting depth and care ensure that the plants thrive and the sisters garden produces a bountiful harvest.

Watering and Fertilization Needs

When setting up a three sisters garden, it’s essential to establish a consistent watering schedule to support the diverse needs of corn plants, pole beans, and squash plants. Water the garden deeply once a week, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged, as overwatering can lead to issues such as root rot and nutrient imbalance.

Use natural fertilizers and amendments, such as peat moss and winter rye, to enrich the soil without relying on commercial fertilizer, which can disrupt the natural nutrient balance. Observe young fruits and plants for signs of overwatering, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth, which can indicate an excess of moisture or nutrient imbalance in your sisters garden.

How to Plant a "3 Sisters Garden"

Companion planting is a useful gardening technique of growing certain veggies together to take advantage of their natural tendencies and relationships. This is an idea that has been practiced for centuries, and most famously with the “Three Sisters” method. Most commonly: corn beans and squash. Watch our video where Tricia shows how easy it is to plant using the Three Sisters method.

Companion Plants in the Three Sisters Method

The three sisters is a combination of these three plants working together:

• Sister Bean Seeds

• Deposit nitrogen from the air into the soil, in a form that the plants can use.
• Plant pole beans such as Blue Lake, Scarlet Runner, or Italian Snap, NOT bush beans.
• Make sure to inoculate your seeds with nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria, such as the Garden Combination Mix.
• The beans will use the corn as support, so wait to plant the beans until the corn is about knee high.

• Sister Corn Seeds

• Provides support for beans vines to climb upon.
• Plant your favorite sweet corn, dent corn, popcorn, or even a combination.

• Sister Squash Seeds

• Shades the ground with its large leaves to provide a good growing environment for all the sisters and helps to prevent weeds.
• Winter squash or summer squash varieties, or a combination of both (squash vines can be directed to shade corn).

Sometimes a fourth sister is included: either Sunflower or Bee Balm. This sister also supports the beans, lures birds away from the corn with their seeds and attracts insect pollinators.

Garden Layout for the Three Sisters Planting

There are many variations on a Three Sisters garden layout. But all of them plant the sisters in clusters on low, wide mounds, rather than a single row, and make sure they are planted in full sun.

The Wampanoag Method

• This method is the best known because it was the planting method that the Iroquois taught the early colonial settlers.
• It is best suited to regions with wet summers.
• Planted in mounds to reduce rotting

The Hidatsa Method

• From the northern plains, used by the Hidatsa, Mandan and Arikara peoples who planted along the floodplain of the Missouri river
• This is where each Sister is planted staggered in small blocks

Zuni Method

• This is best for arid regions.
• Very different in that it is not planted in mounds rather in a large square with the edges mounded up to keep any water in the planting area

Layout for the Wampanoag Method

• Choose a spot that has at least 6 hours per day of direct sunlight.
• Soil should be rich in organic matter and free of stones and weeds.
• Build each mound so that it is 4" tall, and 18" diameter at the base, with a flat top that is about 10" across, see Figure 1.
• Space mounds so their centers are 4' apart.
• You can plant your garden as soon as the night temperatures are consistently above 55°F, and not later than June 1.
• Plant the corn on the flat part at 6" spacing, see Figure 2.
• On every other mound, alternate with squash instead of corn, planting squash in a triangle pattern at 4" spacing.
• If including sunflowers or bee balm, plant those on the north side of the garden.
• Once the corn is at least 4" tall, plant the beans around the slopes of each corn mound. Planting the beans a few weeks after the corn ensures that the corn stalks will be strong enough to support the fast growing beans.

Layout for the Hidatsa Method

• Planted in a large block with mounds of corn (see Figure 3 and 4) and beans planted on the south side of their mound, 6 seeds in total (see Figure 5).
• Squash plants are place in mounds spaced 4' at center, located on the south, east and west section of the block, see Figure 3.
• Plant sunflowers on the north side of the block, see Figure 3.

Layout for the Zuni Waffle Garden

• Requires significant space since each waffle is 12' by 12'.
• Corn is planted in the center of each square, and plant 4-8 seeds to create a thick stand.
• Sunflowers can be planted around the edges of the waffle
• Squash is planted in each corner and in the center of the waffle (see figure at right).

Plant a Three Sisters garden this year, and grow organic for life!

Caring for Your Three Sisters Garden

Mulching and Weed Control

Caring for your three sisters garden involves effective mulching and weed control to support the health and productivity of corn plants, pole beans, and squash plants. Mulching provides numerous benefits, including moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy sisters garden.

Use organic materials such as corn husks, peat moss, or winter rye as mulch to improve soil structure and fertility. For organic weed control methods, apply mulch around the base of plants to smother weeds and reduce competition for nutrients, ensuring that your three crops—corn, beans, and squash—can thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.

Pest and Disease Management

Caring for your three sisters garden involves vigilant pest and disease management to ensure a healthy and productive crop. Common pests such as corn earworms, bean beetles, and squash bugs can affect each sister—corn, beans, and squash—so it’s crucial to use natural deterrents like companion plants and organic treatments.

Planting marigolds or nasturtiums near your garden can help repel pests, while regularly inspecting and removing affected plants can prevent the spread of diseases. To manage diseases organically, use disease-resistant varieties and apply treatments like neem oil or garlic sprays, and always ensure proper planting spacing and soil health to promote robust growth and reduce vulnerability.

Supporting the Corn Stalks

Caring for your three sisters garden includes ensuring that corn stalks are well-supported to handle the weight of pole bean seeds and bean seedlings. To promote strong corn growth, plant corn in well-drained soil enriched with peat moss and winter rye as a natural amendment.

If managing heavy bean loads on the corn stalks becomes an issue, consider using supportive techniques like staking or additional mulch around the base of the plants. Troubleshoot weak or leaning corn by checking soil moisture and ensuring that the plants are not too crowded; proper planting spacing and regular soil tests can help maintain the necessary support and prevent tilting during corn’s tasseling period.

Pruning and Thinning Techniques

In a three sisters garden, effective pruning and thinning techniques are crucial for maximizing yield and maintaining plant health. Prune squash leaves to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases, which also helps in directing the plant’s energy towards producing more squash.

Thin beans such as scarlet runner bean or snap beans to ensure adequate space between plants, promoting better airflow and reducing the likelihood of disease. Managing plant density by carefully spacing corn plants and bean seedlings allows each crop to thrive and ensures that all three crops—corn, beans, and squash—receive sufficient nutrients and sunlight, leading to a more productive sisters garden.

Pollination and Flowering

In a three sisters garden, understanding the pollination process for each crop is essential for a successful harvest. Corn relies on wind pollination, so ensuring that corn plants are spaced adequately allows for effective pollen transfer during corn’s tasseling period. Beans like scarlet runner bean or snap beans are typically self-pollinating but benefit from attracting pollinators with bright flowers.

To encourage pollination, plant the three sisters close together, which naturally supports cross-pollination and improves fruit set. If you notice signs of poor pollination, such as misshapen or underdeveloped corn or squash, consider improving pollinator access by adding flowering plants and avoiding chemical pesticides, ensuring a thriving and productive sisters garden.

Conclusion

The Three Sisters Companion Planting Method offers a time-honored, sustainable approach to gardening that leverages the complementary relationships between corn, beans, and squash. By understanding and implementing this traditional technique, gardeners can create a harmonious and productive garden that not only enhances soil fertility and reduces weed growth but also provides a diverse and nutritious harvest.

With careful planning and attention to each plant’s needs, from soil preparation to pest management, the three sisters garden remains a testament to the ingenuity and ecological wisdom of Indigenous agricultural practices. Embrace this ancient method and enjoy the benefits of a thriving, well-balanced garden.

FAQs About the Three Sisters Companion Planting Method

• 1. What is the Three Sisters Garden?

  • The Three Sisters Garden is a traditional planting method used by Native American cultures, particularly the Iroquois. It involves planting three crops together: corn, beans, and squash. These plants benefit each other through their complementary growth habits, creating a sustainable and productive garden.

• 2. Why are these crops called the "Three Sisters"?

  • The term "Three Sisters" refers to the three crops—corn, beans, and squash—that are planted together in this method. They are called "sisters" because they support each other’s growth and create a balanced ecosystem in the garden.

• 3. How do I plant corn in the Three Sisters Garden?

  • To plant corn, choose a sunny spot in your garden and sow the corn seeds directly into the soil. Corn is a heavy nitrogen feeder and thrives best in rich, well-fertilized soil. Ensure you space the seeds about 6-8 inches apart. Corn varieties that are best for this method include flour corns and other traditional varieties.

• 4. When should I plant pole bean seeds?

  • Pole bean seeds should be planted 2 to 3 weeks after the corn seeds. Beans benefit from the corn’s stalks for support, and planting them later allows the corn to establish itself first. Use six pole bean seeds per hill for optimal growth. The scarlet runner bean is a popular choice for this method.

• 5. How do I plant beans and squash in the Three Sisters Garden?

  • Plant beans after the corn has emerged, allowing the corn to reach about 4-6 inches tall. Beans will climb the corn stalks, providing natural support. Plant six squash seeds around the corn and beans. Squash, such as mini pumpkin seeds, will cover the ground and help suppress weeds.

• 6. What type of soil is best for a Three Sisters Garden?

  • A well-draining, nutrient-rich soil is ideal. Conduct a soil test to check for soil pH and nutrient levels. Amend the soil with peat moss and compost to improve its fertility. The addition of winter rye as a cover crop can enhance soil structure and fertility.

• 7. How do I care for the Three Sisters Garden?

  • Ensure your plants receive adequate water, especially during rain showers. Mulch can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Be mindful of corn’s tasseling period, as this is when it’s most susceptible to stress. Avoid using commercial fertilizer, as it may disrupt the balance of the companion plants.

• 8. How do I handle pests and diseases?

  • Monitor for pests and diseases regularly. Common pests might include corn earworms or squash bugs. Use natural remedies or organic pesticides as needed. Keep an eye on the young fruits of your plants and ensure they are not affected by pests.

• 9. When can I harvest the crops from the Three Sisters Garden?

  • Harvest times vary for each crop. Corn is typically harvested when the husks are dry and the kernels are firm. Beans can be harvested once they are mature and dry on the vine. Squash should be picked when the fruits are firm and have developed their full color.

• 10. Can I save seeds from my Three Sisters Garden?

  • Yes, you can save seeds from your garden for future planting. Ensure you save seeds from healthy, uniform plants and store them in covered containers in a cool, dry place. For beans, use presoaked seed and save seeds from the best plants to maintain good genetics.

• 11. What are some other traditional crops that can be grown with the Three Sisters method?

  • Besides the main three crops, you can incorporate other traditional crops or companion plants around the garden edges. Plants like marigolds or herbs may provide additional benefits and help with pest control.

• 12. How can I integrate the Three Sisters Garden into my own garden?

  • To integrate this method, ensure you have adequate outdoor growing space and a plan for planting and maintaining the crops. Consider joining a master gardener program to get personalized advice and tips for successful implementation in your garden.

• 13. What should I do if I want to grow a Three Sisters Garden in covered containers?

  • If using covered containers, choose large pots and use a high-quality potting mix. Ensure adequate drainage and follow the same planting and care instructions as you would in a traditional garden setting. Regular watering and monitoring are crucial for container-grown plants.

• 14. How can I ensure the plants thrive in the Three Sisters Garden?

  • To ensure your plants thrive, provide them with adequate water, good soil, and proper spacing. Regularly check for pests and diseases, and support each plant’s growth through the different stages of their development. Observing young fruits and maintaining proper care will help achieve a bountiful harvest.

• 15. What is the best way to manage bean seedlings and corn husks in this method?

  • Bean seedlings should be supported by the corn stalks and allowed to climb. Corn husks can be used as mulch or composted. Proper management of these elements helps maintain a healthy garden ecosystem and supports the growth of all three crops.

Additional Resources

The Three Sisters