THE THREE SISTER'S PLANTING
Many American Indian tribes have a long tradition of planting using a system called "The Three Sisters" steeped in both spiritual and scientifically based reasoning. Corn, beans and squash are planted together in one hole because they want to be together.
The Three Sister's Legend
There are different folklore regarding "three sisters planting". According to one legend:
The three sisters were in the field. Each time a Mohawk boy entered the field, one (sister) would disappear.
This saddened the remaining sister. When the boy saw their sadness, he put the sisters back, where they became strong.
There are different folklore regarding "three sisters planting". According to one legend:
The three sisters were in the field. Each time a Mohawk boy entered the field, one (sister) would disappear.
This saddened the remaining sister. When the boy saw their sadness, he put the sisters back, where they became strong.
The Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) are called by modern day
agriculturists as the genius of the Indians.
Interplanted pole beans and squash with corn,
-->uses the strength of the sturdy corn stalks to support the twining beans
and the shade of the spreading squash vines to trap moisture for the growing crop.
This system creates a beneficial relationship between the three plants-
each plant helps the others grow
Corn, beans and squash also complement each other nutritionally.
--- Corn provides carbohydrates,
--- Dried beans are rich in protein, balancing the lack of necessary
amino acids found in corn.
--- Squash yields both vitamins from the fruit and healthful, delicious oil
from the seeds.
--- Corn provides carbohydrates,
--- Dried beans are rich in protein, balancing the lack of necessary
amino acids found in corn.
--- Squash yields both vitamins from the fruit and healthful, delicious oil
from the seeds.
If you would like to learn more about the Three Sisters
and this interplanting system, Go to:
http://www.cqsb.qc.ca/svs/434/fn3sis.htm
(The Three Sister's Legend)
http://www.birdclan.org/threesisters.htm
(TheThree Sisters-Cherikee legend)
and this interplanting system, Go to:
http://www.cqsb.qc.ca/svs/434/fn3sis.htm
(The Three Sister's Legend)
http://www.birdclan.org/threesisters.htm
(TheThree Sisters-Cherikee legend)
http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html
(Legend and directions for planting)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is our first year trying the Three Sister's method of planting.
It has been fascinating watching the development of these three plants
gtpwinh in harmony with each other. We planted four corn seeds, followed at the appropriate time with the bean and then squash.
(Legend and directions for planting)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is our first year trying the Three Sister's method of planting.
It has been fascinating watching the development of these three plants
gtpwinh in harmony with each other. We planted four corn seeds, followed at the appropriate time with the bean and then squash.
Below is a pictorial journey of their progress. Last week, I was presented, as Messiah's web administrator with the first two ears of corn harvested from these plants. They were delicious!
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