The Four Sisters (3 + 1)

COMPANION PLANTING

Each plant helps the others grow. Corn—planted first—provides a stalk for beans to climb and reach sunlight. Corn requires a lot of nitrogen to grow. Beans capture nitrogen from the air, some of which is released into the soil for the corn. Squash’s wide, prickly leaves block weeds, retain moisture and deter pests. They offer the soil a sustainable and productive system. Not only do these three work well growing together, but they also offer great nutritional benefits – a balanced diet of carbohydrates (corn), protein (beans) and vitamins (squash).

 

HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVE

The Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—are the central, symbiotic agricultural trio of many Indigenous cultures in North America, dating back thousands of years. Modern day agriculturists know “The Three Sisters” to originate from Iroquois, who not only understood the ‘companion’ nature of the trio, but also as special gifts from the Creator, who offered the trio as “sustainers of life.” The well-being of each crop is believed to be protected by one of the Three Sister Spirits. Many Native American legends have been woven around the “Three Sisters” – sisters who would never be apart from one another as well as sisters who should be planted together, eaten together and celebrated together. Modern science shows that when grown together, the trio produces more protein and energy in the same space compared to singular crops. Also, the sisters maintain healthy soils, avoiding crop rotation requirements.

 

HOW TO GROW

Corn is a heavy nitrogen feeder (even with nearby beans), and squash will be more productive with fertile soil.  Adding compost before planting can be helpful to provide a little extra water-holding capacity and to improve soil structure and to add a few nutrients. These plants require 6 – 8 hours of sun daily. There are many different suggestions for the planting layout. It is advised to grow only one variety of corn to avoid cross-pollination.

The Rocky Mountain Beeplant (Cleome serrulata) requires an extra step. Put a few tablespoons of sand (sterilized) in a resealable plastic bag. Add about two teaspoons of water – just enough to moisten the sand but no pooling water in the bag. Add your seeds and mix well. Place bag in the fridge. Check once a week to make sure sand has not dried out, add small amount of water, if needed, to keep sand moist. Cleome serrulata needs approximately 3 weeks of cold stratification to germinate.

If you plant seedlings in early July, you won’t see blooms until late September. But you may as well experiment!  Stratify half the seeds and plant them this year and see what happens. Save the other half to sprinkle out directly in the late fall. They will stratify naturally over the winter for the following spring!

 

THE FOURTH SISTER

We are including a “fourth sister,” the Rocky Mountain Beeplant. This sister serves as a powerful attractor to insects that pollinate the beans and squash. Corn is pollinated through the wind. The Beeplant is not only beautiful, but will encourage a successful yield of vegetables.

 

Sources: Northeastern State University and Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University