Tomáš Trejbal 4. 5. 2025 clock 2 minutes
Perhaps the most famous example of polyculture, where the plants help each other on one flower bed, is the old Indian way of growing corn, beans and pumpkins called Three Sisters. When they are grown together, they can help a lot on the flower bed.
How does it work?
The corn provides a bean support of its solid stems, which can be plowed so that they do not compete on the ground with the growing pumpkin. Beans bind nitrogen due to symbiotic bacteria, release it into the soil and fertilize the soil for pumpkin and corn. At the same time, the beans stabilize high corn in strong winds. Large leaves of pumpkins then shield the soil and act as a living mulch. They help maintain soil moist and reduce weed growth.
When and how to bet?
All three are thermophilic plants and hate frost. Therefore, put them on the flower bed after the last freezing day (in our country after frozen, ie from 15 May). All of them can be used directly on the flower bed. Pumpkin, but also corn can also be bred. Directly sown plants have a better root system, the advantage of pre -cultivation is a time lead and better control over germination.
Tip: For myself, I will pre -grow corn and beans with a sowing pumpkin with a sowing around 25 April.
How to prepare a flower bed for them?
You will need a nutrient -rich flower bed and able to retain water. Inhale the classic box with mature manure or compost. Do not be afraid to use a ten to twenty -centimeter layer to make the area be able to fertilize sufficiently. Pull the manure or compost with a hoe to mix with the top layer of soil.
How to take care of this trio?
Look at the beginning, so that the young plants do not destroy slugs. Once everything comes, you can mulch the flower bed. You will prevent weed growth and the soil will not dry out so much (live mulch from pumpkins starts to function only during the summer). Watch the watering and water the flower bed as needed. The soil should still be wet during germination and in the small seedlings phase. During growth, watch be beans, where they should. At the beginning of the growth, they just need to indicate them and then they will know.
You will suffice for three sisters even one flower bed of 300 x 120 cm large, but even better this combination will work on a larger area.
About the author
The journey from the city of Tomas Trejbal brought to the natural garden. He builds his, beautiful and sustainable with great passion.
Source: Recipe magazine
