The Three Sisters is a planting method, watch our video to learn all about it!
How to Plant a Three Sisters Garden: Companion Planting at Its Best
The Three Sisters planting method is a centuries-old technique of companion planting that teaches you how to plant corn, beans, and squash together. By understanding the natural relationships between these crops, the Three Sisters method enhances soil health, maximizes space, and ensures a bountiful harvest. Learn how to plant corn, beans, and squash together using the sustainable three sisters planting technique for a thriving garden.
Understanding the Three Sisters
- Sister Beans: These legumes fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, enriching it for all the plants. Use pole beans like Blue Lake, Scarlet Runner, or Italian Snap. Avoid bush beans as they won't climb the corn stalks.
- Sister Corn: Acts as a natural support for the climbing beans. Choose varieties like sweet corn, dent corn, or popcorn.
- Sister Squash: Shades the soil with its large leaves, reducing weeds and retaining moisture. You can plant either summer or winter squash.
Preparing the Garden
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with at least six hours of sunlight daily. Ensure the soil is weed-free and rich in organic matter.
- Building Mounds: Create mounds four inches tall and 18 inches wide at the base, with a flat top about 10 inches across. Space the mounds four feet apart.
Planting the Sisters
- Corn: Plant 4–5 corn seeds in the mound, spacing them six inches apart. Allow the corn to grow knee-high before planting the other sisters.
- Beans: Once the corn is sturdy, plant the bean seeds around the corn. Coat the seeds with an inoculant for better nitrogen fixation.
- Squash: When the beans reach six inches, plant squash seeds around the perimeter of the mound, spacing them 18 inches apart.
Adding a Fourth Sister
You can include a fourth sister, such as sunflower, bee balm, or amaranth, to attract pollinators, distract birds from the corn, and provide additional support for the beans.
Companion Planting Success
This ancient gardening method, used by Native American tribes like the Iroquois and Zuni, shows you how to plant corn, squash, and beans together through the Three Sisters method. This sustainable approach to companion planting promotes healthy soil, strong plants, and a thriving ecosystem.
Whether you’re planting the Wampanoag method or adapting it for an arid region, the Three Sisters planting technique ensures a bountiful and diverse harvest. Learn how to plant corn, beans, and squash together for a more sustainable, organic garden. Grow organic for life!
