The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash
How corn, beans, and squash work together as crops and as food. This excerpt is the “Monthly Feature” section of a blog post from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It leaves out the rest of the post, which covers days of observance, a seed library, teaching resources, and books.
This page is a simplified version of the original text (leveled toward 800L). Photos, maps, and other images are not on this page — use the original link above to see them.
Words with a dotted underline have a Word Help card pinned beside the paragraph.
Corn, beans, and squash are the Three Sisters. Many Indigenous communities grow types of this trio. This is true from the Northeast to the Southeast, from the Plains to the Southwest, and into Middle America. The name “Three Sisters” comes from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). Different communities have different stories. The common thread is that the three sisters are very close. They are stronger together than apart.
The three are one form of companion planting. Companion planting is a farming method where two or more crops are planted together in a single plot. The three work together as a unit to give a higher crop yield. They help each other grow. They create rich soil that resists damage from diseases and insects that would normally eat and destroy them.
First, plant the corn. The stalks provide a pole for the beans to wrap around. They also help hold the corn steady in wind. Beans provide nitrogen to fertilize the soil. The large, spiny squash leaves give shade, help the soil hold moisture, prevent weed growth, and discourage insects from invading. Each of the three attracts helpful insects that prey on the ones that cause damage.
When eaten together, corn, beans, and squash make a complete and balanced meal. Corn is low in protein but provides carbohydrates. Beans are a rich source of protein and have amino acids that corn lacks. Squash provides different vitamins and minerals than corn or beans. All three can be dried and used for food all year.