Three Sisters Planting

Last summer we visited Jamestown because we knew our daughter would be learning all about its history in school this year.  We had a wonderful time!  Now that I still have seed packets left to plant and seem to be running out of steam in building raised beds, I remembered something we saw there about the way they gardened.

It was called three sisters.  Basically, the interpreter explained to us, that the indians had shown the settlers how to grow their own  food in this way.  Weeding was kept to a minimum and the plants are good companions for one another.  The squash kept the soil shaded which helped to keep the soil moist.  The corn stalk supported the growing beans.   Here were the directions -

1.  Mound up the soil with a hoe.  The mound should be about 12 inches tall and 2 feet in diamater.
2.  Plant corn in the middle of the mound.
3.  Plant beans around the corn.
4.  Plant squash around the beans.

Today I am going to make one mound.  I will plant corn, pole beans, and zucchini.  I am anxious to see how this method works for us.