three sisters method for SFG?

14 years ago

Please don't tell me to look up a thread in search box; did this, it was extremely long and confusing.

I've never used three sister's period; not in a row format, container gardening, or with SFG.

The main questions I have is it possible to use three sister's method in SFG. If so, do you have to use pole beans, or can you use bush beans, or does it not matter (same question for what type of squash to use, vining or bush types).

Also traditionally you use squash, but can you use any type of curcubit (melons, cukes, etc.) for three sisters?

Since you're growing a vine type crop (squash) then is it necessary to construct a vertical gardening structure if you're using three sisters?

Also, since you'd be growing three crops in one square, do you have to adjust the spacings (how many plants per square) with three sister's method? With beans, does it have to be green beans, or can it be any type of bean?

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Comments (2)

sinfonian
14 years ago
Good questions. First off, yes, you can do 3S in SFG. You can use any beans that fix nitrogen that you like. Pole beans just work well with the corn as they climb and aren't crowded out. Next, you can't put all three in one SF. The vining crop would smother the others. I would bookend a 4 SF row with vining crops, training the vines for ground cover and going over the sides. Then I would mix the beans with the corn in the middle 2 SF. Make sure you put it north facing as the corn gets tall. Also pay attention to the planting times, both for 3S and each crop.

Think that covers it. GL!
jolj
14 years ago
No really confussing, just long winded like many of the members :-).
I do not think you will get the full benfit from just a 4x4 bed, but try it & tell us what you find.
A friend put nasturtium around the edge of the raised bed in the edge of the 3 sisters (4 sisters?), you know you can eat the leaves & blooms.
You can pickle the green seed pods like capers, too.
Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: 3 sisters
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