Three Sisters planting is a well-known technique to ancient Native Americans of growing Corn, Beans, and Squash together in an arrangement is the ultimate in companion planting and helps increase harvests, naturally!

This traditional Three Sisters gardening practice creates an environment that benefits the three plants - each plant helps the others grow. This is a form of companion planting.

How to Plant ‘The Three Sisters’

1. When first preparing the soil amend it with well-rotted compost or other organic matter. When plants are about knee high adding a similar side dressing of organic matter will give corn a boost in growth.
2. One or two weeks before your last spring frost, create several hills 12 inches high by 20 inches wide. In 1 inch deep holes, sow 5 to 10 corn seeds, 6 inches apart in a circular formation centered on the hill.
3. When the corn is 4 to 6 inches high, thin to 5 plants, and plant 4 to 8 pole bean seeds and 4 squash seeds, equally spaced around the corn. Water well.
4. After time, you should have 5 Corn plants, 4 Bean plants, and 2 Squash plants.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 7:28 pm and is filed under Dirty Little Secrets.