- What is a Three Sisters Garden?<\/a><\/li>
- Why Grow a Three Sisters Garden?<\/a><\/li>
- How Do the Three Sisters Work Together?<\/a><\/li>
- How to Grow a Three Sisters Garden<\/a><\/li>
- Which Plants to Grow<\/a><\/li>
- What Could Go Wrong?<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Three Sisters Gardens<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is a Three Sisters Garden?<\/h2>
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Three_Sisters_Square_Foot_Garden-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michelle Selzer<\/figcaption><\/figure> The Three Sisters is a Native American companion planting method that has been around for centuries. Iroquois first introduced it to European settlers in the early 17th century, and the method is still utilized today because it produces a lot of food without a lot of work.<\/p>
The following “three sisters” are planted in the same field or same garden bed:<\/p>
- Corn<\/li>
- Pole beans<\/li>
- Squash<\/li> <\/ul>
The secret to the Three Sisters’ success is their natural symbiotic relationship. Just as any good sister should, they support each other to help one another grow. <\/p>
Why Grow a Three Sisters Garden?<\/h2>
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Three_Sisters_Square_Foot_Garden-4.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michelle Selzer<\/figcaption><\/figure> There are many great reasons to start a Three Sisters Garden, including:<\/p>
- Yields a lot of food<\/li>
- Low-maintenance<\/li>
- Sustainable <\/li>
- Attracts pollinators<\/li>
- Deters pests<\/li>
- Prevents weeds<\/li>
- Provides well-balanced nutrition for you and your family (for free!)<\/li>
- Easy beginner\u2019s vegetable garden<\/li> <\/ul>
How Do the Three Sisters Work Together?<\/h2>
Corn, pole beans, and squash support each other in the following ways:<\/p>
- Corn<\/strong> stalks grow tall, acting as a trellis for climbing pole bean vines. Without the corn, squash would likely outcompete the beans. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Pole beans <\/strong>help the whole family by fertilizing the soil with nitrogen. Their vines also stabilize the corn stalks, preventing wind damage. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Squash <\/strong>vines have large leaves, so they act as living mulch. The ground cover shades the soil so less water evaporates, and weeds are less likely to sprout. The squash\u2019s leaves are prickly, so they also help keep pests away. <\/li> <\/ul>
How to Grow a Three Sisters Garden<\/h2>
The Three Sisters Garden has many variations, but we\u2019ll focus on the planting pattern shown in the diagram below. <\/p>
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Three-Sisters-Planting-800.jpg\")
Graphic by Michelle Selzer<\/figcaption><\/figure> Step 1: Select a Sunny Spot<\/h3>
Select a spot for your garden that receives full sun for 6 to 8 hours daily. <\/p>
Step 2: Do a Soil Test<\/h3>
A healthy garden needs healthy soil. Conduct a soil test<\/a> to determine your soil’s nutrition levels, pH, and level of organic matter. Signs of healthy soil include:<\/p>
- Lots of earthworms<\/li>
- Fungi<\/li>
- Plant growth<\/li>
- Earthy smell<\/li> <\/ul>
Step 3: Amend Your Soil<\/h3>
After determining the state of your soil, add soil amendments<\/a> (if needed). Corn requires a lot of nitrogen, and it takes some time for the beans to help. So, many gardeners amend the soil with compost<\/a> or aged manure for a natural source of nitrogen in the soil. <\/p>
Step 4: Plant Corn Seeds<\/h3>
When:<\/strong> Corn\u2019s growing season depends on your hardiness zone, but most people plant corn between April and June. Wait until after the last frost. A couple of months into growth<\/a>, corn kernels mature, and tassels emerge. If you live in a hot southern climate, ensure the corn has time to tassel before the temperature gets too hot. Corn prefers 77 to 91-degree daytime temperatures.<\/p>
How:<\/strong> Create rows of soil mounds that are 3 to 4 feet apart (if you want a small garden, you can use the square-foot garden method<\/a> instead). Plant 5 to 7 corn seeds in each mound, placing them 1 to 2 inches into the soil. <\/p>
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Three-Sisters-Plant-Corn-800.jpg\")
Graphic by Michelle Selzer<\/figcaption><\/figure> After the corn sprouts, remove any weeds and re-mound the soil surrounding the corn.<\/p>
Step 5: Plant Pole Bean Seeds<\/h3>
When:<\/strong> About 2 to 3 weeks after planting, the corn will be a few inches high. This is when you plant the beans.<\/p>
How:<\/strong> Remove any weeds, then plant 4 to 5 bean seeds around each group of corn seedlings. <\/p>
Note: <\/strong>After the seedlings sprout, choose the healthiest and strongest plant to keep in each mound and remove the others. Ultimately, you should have one corn plant and one bean plant per mound. <\/p>
Step 6: Plant Squash Seeds<\/h3>
When:<\/strong> Plant squash seeds about one week after the beans sprout.<\/p>
How:<\/strong> Plant 4 squash seeds in a mound of soil. Squash gets its own rows in between the corn\/bean rows (see the diagram above for reference). <\/p>
Step 7: Keep an Eye Out<\/h3>
You want to watch for weeds, pests, and diseases (especially in the early growth stage), but the sisters typically care for themselves. I have gone on vacation while my Three Sisters Garden grows. <\/p>
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Three_Sisters_Square_Foot_Garden-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michelle Selzer<\/figcaption><\/figure> Which Plants to Grow<\/h2>
Now for the fun part! You get to decide which corn, pole bean, and squash varieties you prefer. Before selecting crops, consider your hardiness zone and food preferences. Here are some suggestions:<\/p>
- Corn:<\/strong> There are many varieties of corn to choose from. Sweet corn is my favorite, and it grows great in a Three Sisters Garden. Dent, flint, and flour corn varieties also thrive.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Beans:<\/strong> Make sure you choose a climbing pole bean (not a bush bean variety), such as scarlet runner and lima beans. I like growing green beans.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Squash:<\/strong> Although pumpkins are the most popular choice, you can select any vining squash plant, such as spaghetti or butternut squash. I love pumpkin pie, so I recommend heirloom Small Sugar pumpkins. <\/li> <\/ul>
What Could Go Wrong?<\/h2>
I have had minimal problems with Three Sisters Gardens, but here are the most common issues:<\/p>
- Fungal diseases:<\/strong> In the early stages of growth, squash leaves are very susceptible to fungal infections. Early treatment has the best success. There are organic fungicides, but inorganic products tend to work best.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Animals:<\/strong> Animals love pumpkins and other squash varieties. Birds go for the pumpkin seeds, and small mammals feast on the fruit. On one occasion, predators devoured seven of my ten pumpkins overnight. Birds may also go after the corn. Netting or chicken wire helps keep out mammals, and decoys (e.g., scarecrows, plastic owls) repel birds.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Space: <\/strong>Remember that squash needs a lot of room to sprawl, but it can sprawl outside the garden area. <\/li> <\/ul>
FAQ About Three Sisters Gardens<\/h2>
1. How do you plant the Three Sisters in a square foot garden?<\/strong>Follow the instructions for building a square foot garden<\/a>. Plant four corn seeds in each square with a bean plant next to each one. Choose outside squares for the squash. Ensure there’s enough space outside the raised bed for your squash to sprawl.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
2. How do you start a vegetable garden?<\/strong>The first step to starting a vegetable garden is to decide what vegetables you want to grow. Things to consider when choosing veggies include:
3. How often do you water a Three Sisters Garden?<\/strong>If you don\u2019t get at least one inch of rain in a week, you should provide an inch of water to your Three Sisters. Knowing how often to water your vegetable garden will keep your crops hydrated and healthy. Beware that overwatering can be just as bad for your plants as underwatering.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
4. Can you plant summer squash in a Three Sisters Garden?<\/strong>Although winter squash is the traditional choice, you can also plant summer squash.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div>
5. What nutrition do the Three Sisters provide?<\/strong>The Three Sisters provide nutrition for a well-balanced diet, including protein, carbohydrates, and amino acids:\u00a0
6. What if I produce too much food?<\/strong>The good news is you can’t produce too much food. Not only will your friends and family be happy to take fresh produce off your hands, but you can preserve it:
Get a Helping Hand<\/h2>
- Space: <\/strong>Remember that squash needs a lot of room to sprawl, but it can sprawl outside the garden area. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Animals:<\/strong> Animals love pumpkins and other squash varieties. Birds go for the pumpkin seeds, and small mammals feast on the fruit. On one occasion, predators devoured seven of my ten pumpkins overnight. Birds may also go after the corn. Netting or chicken wire helps keep out mammals, and decoys (e.g., scarecrows, plastic owls) repel birds.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Fungal diseases:<\/strong> In the early stages of growth, squash leaves are very susceptible to fungal infections. Early treatment has the best success. There are organic fungicides, but inorganic products tend to work best.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Squash:<\/strong> Although pumpkins are the most popular choice, you can select any vining squash plant, such as spaghetti or butternut squash. I love pumpkin pie, so I recommend heirloom Small Sugar pumpkins. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Beans:<\/strong> Make sure you choose a climbing pole bean (not a bush bean variety), such as scarlet runner and lima beans. I like growing green beans.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Corn:<\/strong> There are many varieties of corn to choose from. Sweet corn is my favorite, and it grows great in a Three Sisters Garden. Dent, flint, and flour corn varieties also thrive.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Squash <\/strong>vines have large leaves, so they act as living mulch. The ground cover shades the soil so less water evaporates, and weeds are less likely to sprout. The squash\u2019s leaves are prickly, so they also help keep pests away. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Pole beans <\/strong>help the whole family by fertilizing the soil with nitrogen. Their vines also stabilize the corn stalks, preventing wind damage. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Corn<\/strong> stalks grow tall, acting as a trellis for climbing pole bean vines. Without the corn, squash would likely outcompete the beans. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Why Grow a Three Sisters Garden?<\/a><\/li>