Planting corn, squash and green beans together is a symbiotic relationship recognized long ago. The corn provides a support for the climbing beans and squash's broad leaves shelter the soil from sunlight, thus preserving moisture and retarding growth of other plants. I'm sure there's more to it but the potential of the Three Sisters to help use limited space more efficiently was enough for me to try it out even though sharing the same soil is at the basis of what an ecosystem means.
First experiment, first results
The corn matured beautifully but by harvest time, the green beans had coiled themselves so tightly around the stalk and the ears, it was difficult to pick the corn without damaging the green bean vine.
Also the green beans were both adventurous and amorous. They traveled over to other stalks and met in the air above the corn and entwined themselves into several multi-vine groups. These masses were higher than the corn and thus each weightier and weightier group, with nothing to cling to, bent over and over taking corn stalks with it. Add whipping about in strong winds and the risk of vines breaking increased.
Mind you, I didn't plant the beans until the corn was in the shin to knee high range.
I did plant the squash at the same time the corn seeds went in but used squash plants. The corn overtook the squash, casting its low-lying sister into photosynthesis reducing creeping shade.
At my house, the Three Sisters did not work or play well together. Perhaps it was the space allotted and/or the varieties chosen but with lessons learned, there's hope.
Next experiment, what might work
1. Start with more overall space for the trio.
2. Plant squash on the outside rows of corn only, approximately one squash for every 8 to 12 corn plants. Getting to the squash, corn and beans without acrobatics should then be easy.
3. Plant squash on the outside of the corn facing the strongest sun, otherwise the squash will get “sun-squashed.” Seeking light beyond the corn's shadow, these sun-starved plants started to spill outside their allotted space.
4. Don't cheat on the suggested plant spacing.
What else might work to bring the Three Sisters back together in an average city/suburban space? You tell me.
