Three Sisters

"Gardening is the slowest of the performing arts," I once read.

In theatre, a show really takes off when all entities involved are truly working together, and the final product is one cohesive work that is the result of the individual talents of many.  Everybody brings something to the table, and when it works, there is a very special energy to the room.  The audience can feel it.  They may not know what it is exactly, but it makes the difference between "well done" and "incredible."

There is a similar teamwork happening in the garden.  There are countless entities involved, and when they are allowed to do their job in a healthy environment, it is quite beautiful.  This synergy is not only found in what the sun, water, and soil are doing for the plants, but also what each plant can do for each other.  I can't think of a better example than that of the Three Sisters garden.


The "Three Sisters" are corn, pole beans, and winter squash.  In addition to being a fine trio for sustenance, the three crops help each other grow while keeping the soil healthy.  The corn grows tall and becomes a natural pole for the climbing beans.  The squash acts as a groundcover, keeping moisture in and weeds out.  The beans grab nitrogen from the air and fix it in the ground, keeping the soil rich.

I was fascinated by this method, and decided to try it for myself.  I dug the bed for this by hand, first removing the sod, and then double digging to get the soil underneath nice and loose.  Using leftover garden soil, I created a raised mound.  I lined the circle with rocks for, you know, dramatic effect.

In the center of the round bed, I planted one squash seed.  I chose Buttercup Squash.  I planted three corn seeds in a triangle around the squash.  It is a blue dent corn, which can be eaten fresh, but is best to be dried and used for grain (cornbread, anybody?).  As soon as the corn is tall enough (it needs to be about ten inches), I will mound up the soil around the stalks, then plan the beans.  Kentucky Wonder pole beans and a cornfield bean given to me by and acquaintance at the airport that has been in the same family for over a hundred years.  Pretty cool.


The double digging process:

A few days ago:

At least for me, Sunday seems to be the right day to contemplate the fascinating nature of the plants that sustain our lives.  This world is an incredible creation.

Some companion planting tidbits for you (from Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte):

"Basil helps tomatoes to overcome both insects and disease, also improving growth and flavor.... It repels  mosquitoes and flies, and when laid over tomatoes in a serving bowl will deter fruit flies."

"Tomatoes and all members of the Brassica "Cabbage" family repel each other and should be kept apart.  Tomatoes also dislike potatoes and fennel."

"Parsley mixed with carrot seed helps to repel carrot flies by its masking aroma."

"Sow oregano with broccoli to repel the cabbage butterfly."

"Mint deters the white cabbageworm by repelling the egg-laying butterflies.  Spearmint repels ants and may help to keep aphids off nearby plants."

"Lovage planted here and there wil improve the health and flavor of other plants."

"Dandelions in the area of fruits and flowers will stimulate them to ripen quickly"