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Our gardens have always been a center of female empowerment, food production and relationships. A staple of our gardens are the 3 sisters. This is where corn beans and squash grow out of the mound. Step outside and enter the grounds of a typical.
Corn
Trellis Support: Corn stalks create a natural trellis for beans to climb. The beans’ twining vines secure the corn, especially during high winds.
Nitrogen Fixation: Beans naturally absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it into nitrates. These nitrates fertilize the soil for both corn and squash.
Mutual Benefits: Corn and beans growing together tend to be healthier than when raised separately. Native growers observed this synergy long before modern science confirmed it 12.
Beans
Nitrogen Enrichment: Beans, through their symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria, enrich the soil with nitrogen. This benefits not only the beans themselves but also neighboring corn and squash plants.
Support System: Beans wind around corn stalks, providing structural support and preventing them from toppling over.
Weed Suppression: The broad leaves of squash plants shade the ground, preventing weed growth between the corn and beans 3.
Squash
Ground Cover: Squash plants contribute by providing ground cover. Their large leaves shade the soil, reducing weed competition and retaining moisture.
Weed Control: By preventing weeds from taking over, squash ensures a healthier environment for the entire trio.
Moisture Retention: The shading effect of squash leaves helps retain water in the soil, benefiting all three sisters.
