I no longer grow corn due to the tree rats! The raccoons are just as bad. But I refuse to give up on my tomatoes.

IIRC the three sisters worked off vining squashes and the hills were more on the order of a yard apart. As close as these are planted thin the hills to 1 plant per hill, a scissors at the ground level like suggested above and yesterday is better than today and tomorrow is better late than never.

Part of the process was also staggered planting with all the plants directly seeded; so the corn got enough jump to grow out above the squashes and be tall enough for the beans to have something to climb without overtopping an potentially smoothering the corn stalks. There was a balance to it all and a matter of careful timing.

Interesting corn fact: it is estimated that the Aztec empire whose staple was maize prospered on yields of something like 15 or 16 bushels per acre. Most commercial farmers now get around 200.

Yes you should. To single stalks. When ASAP by cutting the extras off at the soil line or just above. The recommended spacing for corn in SQ Foot gardening is 4 individual plants per square each planted 6" apart (so one in each corner of the square. For future reference, when you buy corn transplants to use they are intended to be separated at that young age and planted individually

Good luck trying 3 Sisters. Most find it to be difficult to pull off and only minimally successful. You'll find several discussions here about the problems with it.

Dave

You should really only have 1 line on NS line