Bonus Pack
Native American Three Sisters Garden
Native American Three Sisters Garden
According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans and squash/pumpkins are inseparable sisters; precious gifts from the Great Spirit. The tradition of interplanting them in the same mounds is actually a sophisticated, sustainable system providing long-term soil fertility and healthy harvests. Growing a Three Sisters Garden is a wonderful way to feel more connected to the history of this land, regardless of our ancestry.
Includes a packet of each:
Earth-Tones Indian Dent Corn provides natural poles for bean vines to climb and the beautiful dried ears make tasty cornmeal and/or decorations.
Rattlesnake Bean Vines support the corn stalks and fix nitrogen on their roots to improve soil fertility. Blossoms attract pollinators and high protein dried beans are great for chili.
Shallow-rooted Sugar Pie Pumpkin Vines make a living mulch, shading out weeds and preventing moisture loss. Use Sugar Pie Pumpkins for tasty pies and holiday celebrations.
Net Weight: 39 gms
- SKU:8171
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Special Features
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
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Read "Celebrate the Three Sisters," for complete historical and planting information.
LISTEN to radio show about the Three Sisters (.mp3). |
HOW AND WHEN TO PLANT
1. Choose a site in full sun (minimum 6 to 8 hours/day of direct sunlight throughout the growing season). Amend the soil with plenty of compost or aged manure. With string, mark off three 10 foot long rows, each 5 feet apart.
2. In each row, make your corn/bean mounds. The center of each mound should be 5 feet apart from the center of the next. Each mound should be 18 inches across with flattened tops. Stagger the mounds in adjacent rows.
3. Plant 4 to 6 corn seeds in each mound in a 6 inch square. Protect from birds with netting until seedlings are 4 inches tall.
4. When the corn is 6 inches tall, it's time to plant the beans and squash. First, weed the entire patch. Then plant 4 bean seeds in each corn mound. They should be 3 inches apart from the corn plants.
5. Build pumpkin mounds in each row between each corn/bean mound. Make them the same size as the corn/bean mounds. Plant 4 or 5 pumpkin seeds, 4 inches apart in a triangle in the middle of each mound.
6. When the pumpkin seedlings emerge, thin them to 2 plants per mound. You may have to weed the area several times until the pumpkin vines take over and shade new weeds.