Are you familiar with three sisters? In planting, also called the three seeds? They are corn, beans, and squash. They were referred to that way because they help one another thrive and survive when these seeds are planted together. Indeed, three sisters planting will be well worth your time. It will reward you with healthy and nutritious crops in the end. And at the same time, you will be able to maximize the area in your garden. The following are some guides to help you get started.
The three sisters
These three are corns, beans, and squash that complement each other well. Corns provide tall stalks. The beans utilize these to climb up and grow. Beans do so to avoid competition with crawling squash vines. On the other hand, beans supply nitrogen to fertilize the soil. They also help stabilize the tall corn during extreme weather. Besides, beans are nitrogen-fixers. They host rhizobia on their roots. Rhizobia can take nitrogen from the air and convert it into forms absorbed by plant roots. Lastly, the broad leaves of squash provide shade to the ground. This shade helps retain soil moisture and prevent weed infestation. Now that you know why three sisters planting work, we can proceed with the more technical aspects.
What to Plant
For successful three sisters planting, choose the appropriate seed. For corns, sweet corns, dent corn; popcorn; or a combination will do. Generally, there is a preference for varieties that have shorter stalks or many-stalked corns. For squash, choose small-leafed squash. It can be zucchini or winter squash. Steer away from pumpkins because they are too heavy. Also, you can plant them in a separate bed instead. Hence, pole beans are the best choice for three sisters planting. You may choose between Scarlet Runner, Italian Snap, or Oho Pole Bean. Avoid vigorous pole beans. They may pull down the corn stalks.
Where to Plant
Choose a sunny location. Ideally, the place should receive at least 6 hours of full sun every day. The field where you’ll plant your seeds should be about 4 feet wide and 4 feet apart.
When to Plant
Prepare the soil in the spring. It is time to feed your soil with organic matter. Doing so will improve the structure of your soil. Also, the added nutrients will be beneficial to the seeds you will plant. The three sisters are warm-season plants. They will not tolerate frost. For three sisters planting, do it during spring or summer. It is good to check with your local planting calendar to guide you when best to plant it. In addition, corn does not tolerate high heat and low humidity.
How to Plant
When the soil is ready, make a mound. The top should be flat and is about 10 inches wide. Also, it should be at least one foot high and 4 feet wide. You can also dig multiple mounds, but make sure to space them about four feet apart. Corn requires a long growing season, which is why you should plant corn first once the danger of frost has passed. Put corn seeds an inch deep in the flat part of the mound.
As a rule, in three sisters planting, there should be about ten inches of space between them. Once the corn is approximately 6 inches to 1 foot tall, you can plant beans and squash. At that time, the corn stalks will be strong enough to support the beans. Place the bean seeds evenly around each stalk. After a week, plant the squash seeds. Put them evenly around the perimeter of the mounds. If you want to ensure germination, you may plant two seeds in each hole.
Important Note:
It is recommended that these seeds be planted directly. It will lead to more robust root systems that will be able to take up nutrients adequately. The number of seeds you will plant will mainly depend on the space that you have. Individual plants should have enough space to thrive and facilitate pollination. You may do well even with only one plant of bean since they are self-pollinating. Squash needs the help of insects to pollinate. Be sure to plant several squash seeds to attract insects. Meanwhile, corns are wind-pollinated. They are also capable of pollinating on their own but for more success, consider planting more seeds.
These three sisters planting, when done, will be a great addition to your garden. They will be easy to tend to because they will support each other on their own. What’s best, you will reap the benefits of having vegetables fresh from your garden.
