I kill ivy.
Seriously.
I'm not kidding.
I really... really... want to have a green thumb.
I mean... I live on a farm for crying out loud.
I should be able to grow something myself.
So it surprised (and frightened) husband when I told him I wanted a space in the garden this year for an experiment.
I'm monopolizing some serious real~estate to try this new (old) thing called
Three Sisters Gardening.
So here's the premise...
You plant in circles.
(Already husband's head is spinning)
1) Mound up the soil and in the center plant a few seeds of corn.
I planted 8, then thinned them to 5.
2) Once the corn comes up, you plant poling beans around the corn.
This is where it starts making sense...
The climbing beans can now use the support of the corn stalk as they grow! Brilliant!
3) Once the beans are established, plant yellow and zucchini squash seeds in a circle around the beans...
The idea here is that the spiky leaves of the squash plants will deter wily squirrels and other garden thieves from getting to the beans and sweet corn. Nice!
The Native American Indians get credit for this method. Pay attention when you see paintings that include Indians... often there is some visual symbolic representation of Three Sisters Planting.
This seems like a very ambitious project for a girl who routinely commits involuntary greenery manslaughter... but I think I'm ready!
Fortunately corn and beans cannot press charges if I fail at this venture.
But... so far... so good.
The corn has emerged and the circle of beans has been planted and watered.
Thank you honey for humoring me.
Hey! I think my thumb is tingling!
