As in nature, some plants work together in harmony in our gardens. One of these pairings is known as the Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash.
Indigenous people have planted these three seeds for thousands of years and have seen the benefits of growing things that work together.
When planted at the right time of the year, after the last frost has passed, the corn sprouts before the beans and squash, giving the beans a natural trellis to grow along. The beans then add nitrates to the soil, which helps the corn and squash thrive. The squash, a much lower-lying plant with broad leaves, then shades the roots of the plants. This keeps them moist and helps to stop weeds from growing. Planting these crops together, also known as inter-cropping, is a great way to help your garden thrive.
While rooted in nature, the concept of the Three Sisters holds profound significance in Indigenous spirituality. The Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois, revered the Three Sisters as a divine gift (Kimmerer, 2013). They shared stories of the Three Sisters, or Diohe’ke, personified, often visiting hungry people during winters and imparting their wisdom to those who showed them kindness (Marsh, 2021). This spiritual connection to the Three Sisters is a recurring theme in the stories and art of Indigenous peoples across the US, underscoring the deep cultural roots of this planting method.
This year, the Three Sisters are thriving in Annie’s House and the backyard gardens of Nicholtown residents. This success story is a testament to the effectiveness of this traditional planting method and can inspire other gardeners to consider adopting the Three Sisters in their gardens. Our Food Security and Agriculture VISTA Chazmir Tyler says, “ I’m surprised that many folks in the South aren’t familiar with the trio. It’s been around before this land was called America.”
Citations
Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). The Three Sisters. In Braiding Sweetgrass (pp. 128–140). essay, Milkweed Editions.
King, P. (2023, March 24). What is intercropping & crop rotation- Advantages & Examples. What Is Intercropping & Crop Rotation- Advantages & Examples. https://www.agrocrops.com/en/peanuts-blogs/intercropping-and-crop-rotation#:~:text=Intercropping%20is%20the%20practice%20of,land%20and%20in%20close%20proximity.
Marsh, E. (2021). The Three Sisters of Indigenous American Agriculture. The Three Sisters of Indigenous American Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. https://www.nal.usda.gov/collections/stories/three-sisters#:~:text=To%20the%20Iroquois%20people%2C%20corn,agriculture%20to%20the%20Iroquois%20nations
Niemi. (2022). Growing marigolds in the vegetable garden. Niemi Family Farm. https://niemifamilyfarm.ca/blog/growing-marigolds-in-the-vegetable-garden/