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Garden Gate:  Three sisters...  |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 09:08:37 AM
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Have any of you planted the three sisters together? They are corn, squash and beans, and they were planted by the native americans together -- the corn acts as a trellis for the beans, and the squash keeps the weeds down. I've never done it, but I want to this year.
Have you done this, or could you recommend some types of corn, beans and squash for the project? I live in zone 5...
Also - are there any other "sisterly" combinations like this one that you know of?
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 09:33:30 AM
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I've not done it myself, but I know a couple of people who have done it, one successfully and the other not so much. You need to pick a hardy, tall corn that can support it's own weight plus the weight of the beans. It should be over 6 feet tall at maturity. Plant the corn first, it needs a head start in order to grow enough to provide a trellis for the beans. You might also pick a bean that has a purple or other colored pod because it will be that much easier to see to harvest in all that green. I think you can choose whichever squash you want, though mid-sized pumpkins seem to be the popular choice.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 5:44:01 PM
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I've done the three sisters, but here in Western WA the corn has a hard time maturing & the beans overtake them. The squash or pumpkins does great, but watch where you step & you have to place your rows farther apart.
Now we do a raised bed of pole beans with a vertical & horizontal poles, lashed together with twine woven in-between for them to grow on. I like to plant a hill of squash/pumpkin on the south ends of the beans & we plant the corn in it's own rows where the load of 15 yards of compost is dropped (after we move & spread the compost around the raised beds.)
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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knewslady
True Blue Farmgirl
555 Posts
Kathy
Russellville
KY
USA
555 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 7:07:51 PM
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I'm sure most of you know to plant marigolds with your tomatoes and basil with your tomatoes as well to cut down on bugs.
Or at least that's what I have always been told.
Kathy
Will always be a farmgirl at heart
Visit my online shop at http://thebackfence.etsy.com |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2007 : 11:05:18 PM
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Kathy
You are right & that really works. We add marigolds to most of our beds, along with nastrumns here & there. Besides it all looks so pretty.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
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AliShuShu
True Blue Farmgirl
150 Posts
Alison
Charlotte
NC
USA
150 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 09:20:55 AM
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i've also heard that rosemary with tomatoes will keep away the aphids? can anyone confirm this?
thanks!
Alison
'Be the change you want to see in the world' ~ Namaste'
www.shumusings.com |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2007 : 7:33:03 PM
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I'm really interested in companion planting this garden year - do any of you have any good books/resources that you'd recommend?
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2007 : 8:37:03 PM
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I have done it (the three sisters thing) and learned to plant the corn first...a couple weeks ahead and like someone else said...choose a tall sturdy variety. I used bloody butcher corn, kentucky wonder pole beans and pumpkin the time I had the best results. I havn't done that combo since I have lived here in Utah though. But I have planted all three sisters in my garden each year...this year I think I will do it together again.
I usually plant both marigolds and garlic around my tomatoes.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2007 : 9:12:17 PM
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I have one called "Sleeping with a Sunflower" that I like too..not just companion planting, but it does ******* that. Lots of fun stuff.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2007 : 9:24:36 PM
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I am going to have to see if our local library has any of those books. Thanks for the suggestions ladies!
Alee |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 10:35:36 AM
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I have the "Carrots..." and "Roses..." books on a list to get from interlibrary loan - they should be here the first of next week. I'm so excited! Thanks for the information - and any more info. would really be appreciated...
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
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Garden Gate: Three sisters... |
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Three sisters...
