Zea mays, Phaseolus vulgaris, Cucurbita pepo
The 3 Sisters Collection combines the traditional trio of corn, beans, and squash, which thrive together and promote a sustainable garden culture. These crops are a staple in many Indigenous diets and cultivate a unique relationship through companion planting. While the corn provides sturdy support for the climbing beans, the beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, and the squash sprawls to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Size: Corn reaches heights of 5 to 6 ft. with beans growing up to 3 ft. and squash generally spreading 2 to 3 ft.
Yield: Expect a bountiful harvest; corn yields ears for fresh eating, beans for a protein-rich addition, and squash for versatile culinary uses.
How to use: Enjoy sweet corn fresh, use beans in salads and stews, and incorporate squash in baking, roasting, or soups.
Planting tips: Sow seeds indoors in early spring or direct sow outdoors after last frost; plant in rich, well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Space plants appropriately to allow for their growth habits.
Harvest tips: Harvest corn when kernels are plump and milky, beans when pods are firm, and squash when they reach full colour and are firm to the touch.
