What this guild does
The Three Sisters guild is a time-tested polyculture that has sustained communities for thousands of years. Corn provides a natural trellis for beans, which fix nitrogen in the soil. Squash spreads along the ground, shading the soil to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Together, they create a balanced ecosystem that produces complete nutrition.
Plants in this guild
Partner 1
Corn
Partner 2
Beans (Pole)
Partner 3
Winter Squash
Layout and spacing
Pattern
Mounded hills 4 feet apart
Spacing
Plant corn first, beans 2 weeks later, squash with beans
Size
Minimum 4x4 feet per mound
Benefits
- Maximizes space through vertical growing
- Provides complete protein when eaten together
- Improves soil fertility naturally
- Reduces pest pressure
- Conserves water through ground cover
Maintenance
- Build mounds 12 inches high for drainage
- Plant 4-6 corn seeds in center of each mound
- Add 4 bean seeds around corn when 6 inches tall
- Plant 2-3 squash seeds at mound edges
- Water deeply at planting and during dry spells
Harvest notes
- Harvest beans regularly for continued production
- Leave some beans to dry for storage
- Harvest winter squash after first light frost
- Corn is ready when silks are brown and dry
Questions people ask
What are the Three Sisters in companion planting?
The Three Sisters are corn, pole beans, and squash. Corn supports climbing beans, beans add nitrogen, and squash shades the soil as a living mulch.
How much space does a Three Sisters guild need?
Start with at least one 4-by-4-foot mound or block. Larger blocks pollinate corn more reliably and make the guild easier to manage.