Native Americans planted Corn, Beans, and Squash together and referred to them as the three sisters.
This companion planting has been done for centuries by many Native American tribes.
According to The Farmers Almanac, each of the sisters contributes something to the planting. Together, the sisters provide a balanced diet from a single planting.
Corn the older sister, offers the Beans support. The Pole Beans pull nitrogen from the air and bring it to the soil for the benefit of all. As the Pole Beans grow up through the Squash vines they hold all the sisters together. The Squash vines offer protection against pests and offer shade to the soil, which keeps it moist.
Any Corn will do nicely as long as it’s real corn. No GMO. Pole Beans and small-leafed Squash, such as Zucchini or Crooked Necked Squash is perfect as the leaves don’t get too big.
The Almanac suggests planting in a circular mound, instead of traditional rows, in a sunny location. Each hill will need about 4 feet by 4 feet. Make sure the soil has been amended with compost and fertilizer for successful a successful growing season.
Make a mound of soil about a foot high and 3 to 4 feet wide with the top leveled off. If doing multiple mounds place about 4 feet apart.
Plant the Corn first, once all danger of the frost has passed and the nights warm up to at least 55 degrees. Plant six Corn in a circle in the middle of the mound. Check your seed package for spacing.
Once the Corn is 6 inches to 1 foot tall, plant the Pole Beans to provide nitrogen to the Corn. Plant 4 beans around each Cornstalk.
Next, in about a week plant your Squash around the perimeter, again checking the seed package for spacing for that specific squash.
Tips, plant only one variety of Corn and Beans per mound. If planting transplants, you can plant them all at the same time.
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