Ecological farming: Three Sisters

The Three Sisters garden was designed by indigenous Native American farmers dating back 700 years. When Europeans first arrived in the 1600s, they noticed a unique planting system grown throughout food gardens and villages. What they came across was a unique companion planting system comprised of three main vegetables: corn, pole beans, & squash. All grown together. This wild, intercrop style was entirely different than the traditional European style of row gardening. It caught on quickly and is still in practice today, although much of the agriculture today is centered around monoculture, farming. This companion planting system allowed their civilizations thrive and provide provide nutritious foods for storage through the winter months.

The three sisters nourished Native Americans in both physical and spiritual forms. The Iroquois tribe specifically believes that these seeds were sent by the gods to be grown together. Each sister symbolizing a specific relationship or role in a family. Each caring for and supporting one another.

This planting design is one of the greatest examples of ecological farming. Each plant acts mutualistically, playing a specific role in supporting one another in their environment. The three sisters garden is made up of 3 main plants: corn, beans, squash. The corn provides structure, support, and shade for the squash and beans. After the corn is planted the beans grow up the stalk. The climbing beans help anchor the corn into place and provide essential nutrients like nitrogen for the corn. The squash is planted last and provides a ground cover surrounding the two sisters. Its wide leaves retain moisture in the soil, shade out weeds, and keep the ground cool.

This design is not limited to these three plants. Many people intercrop with amaranth, marigolds, and sunflowers to increase biodiversity and for aesthetic purposes.

There are truly endless ways to grow your three sisters garden. The traditional design varies amongst tradition, region, and climate. Make sure to collect climate data before you begin! In essence, people begin by building soil mounds that are flat on top and about 3-4 feet wide. First, corn seed are planted around the perimeter of each mound. Once the corn grows to the height of your knee, The beans are planted by each corn stalk. The squash can be planted soon after the beans grow in the spaces between the mounds. I encourage people to grow amaranth and marigolds in the empty spaces between mounds.

I have started my three sisters garden in my community garden plot this April. The varieties of seeds I used are Dent Corn (Zea Mays), Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans (Phaseolus coccineus).

I will be posting updates and notes on my garden so stay tuned.