First time gardener....Help please.

[hoodat]

American Indians had the trick to getting good corn pollination in small groups. They planted 5 or six corn plants in a tight circle with a good distance between each circle or "hill" The distance between hills was planted to squash and beans. The so called "three sisters" method. It gave them a lot of plants in a small space but none of the plants competed for sunlight. When I was a youngster gardeners still used this method. Only field corn was planted in rows. I don't know when gardeners started planting corn in rows.

 

[journey11]

American Indians had the trick to getting good corn pollination in small groups. They planted 5 or six corn plants in a tight circle with a good distance between each circle or "hill" The distance between hills was planted to squash and beans. The so called "three sisters" method. It gave them a lot of plants in a small space but none of the plants competed for sunlight. When I was a youngster gardeners still used this method. Only field corn was planted in rows. I don't know when gardeners started planting corn in rows.

Hoodat--I tried the 3 sisters for the first time this year and so far everything looks good. I have 14 hills of corn checkerboarded with the squash melons and pole beans running up the corn stalks. They are just now setting tassles and I am excited to see how they do with pollination. I have about 10-12 corn per hill. If this works, I will be sold on it. The squash and watermelon do a great job as living mulch. Only thing is, I don't know how I will get in there to pick all the beans and corn!

Angels4--If you are zone 6a (as I am) you will still have enough time in your growing season to do one more round of corn from seed. Don't wait long though--I think July 10th is the cut off. Good luck and let us know how everything turns out. (We love to see pics! )