Three sisters garden is a well-established method

2021-12-27 17:09:37 By : Mr. Jimmy Kim

DEAR AMOR: I have a couple of gardening tips I want to share. To save space, plant pumpkins and winter squashes among the corn. Corn grows high, vines stay low. But do not plant decorative corn next to eating corn. They cross-pollinate and you get colorful hard kernels instead. – Lisa

DEAR LISA: Thank you for sharing the tips. Since gardening season is here, the fun begins for gardening enthusiasts. Our hands are anxious to finally sow seeds and tackle the weeds. 

Oh wait, not weeds again!

Growing pumpkins and squash among the corn will save space as they share one spot in the garden. The robust growth of pumpkins and winter squash, however, will smother and prevent weed from growing. This method could bring a bountiful harvest. 

That brings us to "three sisters garden." It’s a well-established method practiced among Native Americans. It is a companion planting method for space -saving, weed control, critter management, among other physical and spiritual representations. 

Pole beans are in the trio. Pole beans are intended to climb up the tall corn, eliminating the need for building trellises. 

This plant also return nitrogen back to the soil for the next season’s soil amendments.

For a good start, apply manure, compost and rotting plant material to a garden site. This area should be free from weeds that could deplete nutrients.

Incorporating squash, corn and beans to grow together brings satisfactory results only if designed properly. Three sisters garden will not be attractive if planted in rows like we typically do. It will look chaotic.

Circular design works best. Depending on length and desired garden size, connect multiple soaker-hoses together and place it in circles. The inner end of this soaker hose should be sealed. It should look like a cinnamon roll, if we want to be sweet about it. 

Cover the soaker-hose with aged wood chips that can be obtained from compost sites. It will thwart weed seeds from germinating, as well as preventing water splashes that may carry bacterial spores up to the plant, causing blight or other plant diseases. It will water the roots of the plants, but will not get any of their foliage wet. 

After soaker-hose is laid and covered, it will become a planting guide. Planting time is preferable after Mother’s Day. Soak corn seeds for up to eight hours ahead of time to speed germination. 

Plant corn in the inner circles, but not on the one or two outer circles. Corn should be planted evenly distanced from each other. After the corn has grown 6 inches above ground, plant pole beans by the corn seedling that were growing on the outer circle, but not on the last one or two circles. 

For the pole beans, plant squash seeds on the last circle or two that has not been planted with corn or pole beans. You may have to wait another week or two if planting a grown squash seedling, so it doesn’t outgrow the corn and pole beans. 

Plant what you love to eat. Add or replace squash with melon (watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew). With your built-in irrigation, water your circular garden regularly each week. 

Amor Chamness Cook is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho and a master garden at Purdue Extension. Send gardening questions for “Dear Amor” to dearamor@yahoo.com.