SEED ORDERS SHIP IN 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS

The Three Sisters: An Ancient Garden Hack That Still Works Today

We often think of "modern" agriculture as the peak of efficiency. But centuries before we had chemical fertilizers or plastic trellises, Native American gardeners had already perfected a system that was smarter, more sustainable, and more productive.

They called it the Three Sisters.

The concept is simple but brilliant: Corn, Beans, and Squash are planted together in the same mound.

In a modern garden, we usually separate these crops into tidy little rows. But when you plant them together, they transform into a symbiotic team where each plant helps the others survive.

If you want to save space, water, and fertilizer this summer, it’s time to learn from the experts of the past. Here is how the Three Sisters work.

1. The Elder Sister: Corn (The Support)

The Role: Structure.
You can’t grow a vertical garden without a trellis. In this system, the corn is the trellis. By planting the corn first and letting it get a head start, it provides a strong, natural pole for the beans to climb.

Heirloom Pick: Choose a tall, sturdy variety like Silver King White Corn or Stowell’s Evergreen.

2. The Giving Sister: Pole Beans (The Fertilizer)

The Role: Nitrogen Fixation.
Corn is a "heavy feeder"—it sucks nitrogen out of the soil rapidly. Beans are "nitrogen fixers"—they pull nitrogen from the air and deposit it into the soil through their roots. The beans literally feed the corn as they grow.

The Catch: You must use Pole Beans (like Kentucky Wonder), not Bush Beans. They also help stabilize the corn stalks during heavy winds, tying the garden together.

3. The Protective Sister: Squash (The Mulch)

The Role: Ground Cover.
While the corn and beans grow up, the squash grows out. Its giant, prickly leaves act as a "living mulch."

  • Moisture: The leaves shade the soil, keeping it cool and preventing water evaporation (crucial in hot summers).
  • Weed Control: The dense shade stops weeds from germinating.
  • Pest Control: The prickly vines deter raccoons and other critters from walking through the patch to steal the corn.

Heirloom Pick: Vining winter squashes work best, like Waltham Butternut or Hubbard Squash.

How to Plant Your "Three Sisters" Patch

Timing is everything. If you plant them all on the same day, the beans will strangle the corn before it gets tall enough.

  1. Step 1: Build a mound of soil about 12 inches high and 3 feet wide.
  2. Step 2: Plant your Corn in the center of the mound.
  3. Step 3: Wait until the corn is about 6 inches tall (usually 2-3 weeks).
  4. Step 4: Plant your Pole Beans around the corn, and plant the Squash seeds around the outer edge of the mound.

The Verdict?

Nature prefers cooperation, not isolation. By grouping these three crops, you get a garden that waters itself better, fertilizes itself naturally, and produces a massive amount of food in a small footprint.

Build your team: Shop our Heirloom Seed Collection to get the perfect Corn, Bean, and Squash combination for your garden.

Back to News