Edible Garden Design 3 Sisters

Creating a three sisters garden by brooklyn botanic garden staff june 18 2012 some of us may be familiar with the native american foodways of hunting game and gathering wild plants but far fewer are familiar with the agricultural practices of native north americans.

Edible garden design 3 sisters. History an excellent project is to grow the three native american sisters. Nov 11 2019 did you know that corn beans and squash are called the three sisters a number of native american tribes interplanted this trio because they thrive toget. One of the best ways to get children interested in history is to bring it into the present.

When teaching children about native americans in u s. In a three sisters garden beans corn and squash help each other grow. Beans have tiny bacteria living on their roots that help absorb nitrogen from the air and soil.

The bean fixes the nitrogen in the soil and provides extra nitrogen for the corn. The maize crop helps the beans by offering support to climb upon reducing the need for poles and stakes. Nitrogen helps corn grow strong and tall.

The idea behind the three sisters garden design and intertwining of crops is that these crops support each other in individual growth. Corn provides support for beans by acting like a beanpole. Beans corn and squash when you plant a three sisters garden you help to bring an ancient culture to life.

As a cultivation method it is not perhaps very well known but is worth a closer look.