The 3 Sisters in the Garden

 

Some years ago I got into quite a heated skirmish with an old Indian over the 3 Sisters. I told him the Indians were out of their minds when they planted the 3 Sisters: Corn, Squash and Beans together. As one would guess, he took exception to my comment.

 

I told him; 1) The green beans wrap their vines tightly around the ears of corn as they grow up the corn stalk, making it impossible to take ears of corn without killing the bean vine. 2) If you try to harvest either beans or corn, you must step on your squash and squash plants, causing them irreparable damage. 

 

This old Indian apparently had never gardened, because he couldn't enlighten me on why it didn't work for me. But I did, finally, figure it out. 1) The Indians let most of their corn mature, for grinding into corn meal for the winter. They didn't ruin their beans to take ears for fresh corn on the cob. 2) Beans were also not lightly steamed, or used fresh--they too were harvested only after they had fully matured and dried, to be cooked throughout the winter. 3) They didn't grow much, if any, summer squash (Zuchhini, Patty Pan, Crook Neck, etc.), but grew Winter Squash. Winter Squash (Butternut, Banana, Acorn, etc.) are those varieties that fully mature, get a hard shell and can be stored for many months.

 

If you plant the 3 Sisters like the Indians did, you'll no doubt have great crops. You have no need to go into your garden at all until you're ready to grind your corn into meal, shell your dried beans, and take your squash into your storage bin.

 

But to expect fresh corn on the cob, fresh green beans and summer squash, all grown together, to be a happy growing experience, you're going to find yourself cursing Sitting Bull-- just like I did!