Questions tagged [three-sisters]

Companion planting scheme with crops of beans, squash, and corn.

Scheme of that utilizes beans, squash, and corn.

Gardeners and historic farmers have found combinations of plants which grow well together. Typically one or more of these plants are crops. This concept is known as . One well known combination is and was reputedly used by a number of Native American groups. This used utilized beans, squash, and corn. Not only did they grow well (beans being legumes), but they make a good nutritious combination.

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What are the criteria for picking out vegetables to grow together in "Three Sisters" garden?

A "Three Sisters" garden is a garden grown consisting of three different crops which help each other grow in some fashion. Such as Corn, Squash and Beans. I read about it in Roots Shoots Buckets and Boots, an awesome book for making gardens with…
Peter Turner
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How many bean plants will corn / sunflower support?

I planted a section of my garden three-sisters style this year: corn, squash/pumpkin, and pole beans (for dry harvest). I also have a 25' row of "Mammoth Gray Stripe" sunflowers (9-12 footers) in the back of the garden where I've planted beans among…
bstpierre
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Can sunflower be used in Three Sisters planting instead of corn?

The Native American Three Sisters technique traditionally uses corn, beans, and squash as companion plants. The corn provides a trellis for the beans, the beans fix nitrogen for the corn, and the squash creates a cover layer on the ground to retain…
Drake P
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Growing 3 sisters but my beans are overtaking corn

I planted my beans out once my corn was about 6 - 12 inches but the corn is growing real slow and the beans are overtaking them. Corn is jimmy red cord and Im in the UK. Any suggestions on what to do next? Should I stake the beans? Thanks