There are several different Native American legends about the Three Sisters. The basis is however, that growing corn, beans and squash together is beneficial. The corn, standing tall, provides the support that the beans need to grow. The bean, being a vine, needs a skeletal system to reach the sun. In exchange, the beans provide nitrogen, which feeds the corn and squash. The squash creates an umbrella that covers the ground inhibiting weeds and keeps the soil cool and moist. “Together, the Three Sisters produce more food, with less water and fertilizer, than a similar area planted to any one of these three crops in isolation. These yields are about 20 percent higher than corn grown alone in an equal sized plot (Hemenway, 2001).” The Three Sisters is just one example of how companion planting is used to grow higher and healthier yields of food. Plant diversity is great for the garden and used in regenerative agricultural practices. How are you using companion planting in your garden? Have you tried the Three Sisters?
Hemenway, Toby. (2001). Gaia’s Garden: a guide to home-scale permaculture (1st edition). Chelsea Green Publishing.