Very cool pete. I'm not too sure about those lists on companion planting either. Some seem like contradictions, as I've read to keep cucumbers away from tomatoes because they share a common pest. So I don't know what to do! I'd much rather hear it from a gardener who tried companion planting, what they used, did it work, etc. However, ask and you are told to get a book or google. Let me know how your version of three sisters turns out!!!

Awesome!!! Please post updates

Hi Pete,

I have been companion planting for a lot of years. When I find something that works I use it the next year to see if I get the same results.

I need to get better at keeping notes on this stuff. I always think that I'll write it down later and later never comes and then I forget the next year what the results were.

There is another 3-sister companion. It is corn, squash, and pole beans. The Indians used to use this method.

I do have the book : "Carrots Love Tomatoes". It is one book that has been read from cover to cover many times. I love it. I do have others but this book puts it in simple terms.

Happy Gardening and keep the reports coming in.

Also, the best ever was green peppers and okra.

Sharon

an old post i know, but...

a little known fact is the sunflower is actually the fourth sister. she got left out of the will for some reason.

my theory is one of the main purposes for 3 sisters is food storage if you will. squash and corn all keep very easily through cold months, and it makes sense then for the sunflower to also be included.

i did grow sunflowers with corn last year, but reasoning was purely aesthetic, and thats how i convinced the wife to let me dig up another section of lawn for corn. they did well together.

Well, i planted last year cucumbers and sunflower and did not find this combination working. Looked like cucumbers did not like this.

I have done a three sisters like combination of okra, Southern peas and cucumbers this year.

They all seem to be doing well and liking it about as much as my corn, beans and squash like the original, but I don't think I will do it again. I grew cowpeas this year just to see if this would work, but they are so cheap to buy outright that they really aren't worth gardening for afaic.

Hello Pete,

I love your enthusiasm. And would like to add that it's crucial to know if particular plants or plant families actually give massive benefit to each other. 'Carrots love Tomatoes' is a great suggestion.

I do know from a nun who tends to the monastery garden, that tomatoes, dill, calendula and turnip cabbage love each other. Just like baby leaf, radishes, dill and lettuce does. Or Broccoli, salad and fennel. Or Carrots and Leeks with salad. There are so many combinations, not only using space for a big yield. But also for keeping pests away and increasing the chemicals each plant gives to each other. The most important thing in companion planting is that you plant heavy-feeders with light-feeders. So that they won't take each others nutritions. Also deep rooters with shallow rooters.

Like I said, there a re a few things to consider when getting into companion planting.

Much success and let us know what has worked for you.