Two Sisters: Growing Corn and Shell Beans at Home

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Corn and beans, grown together for generations, can be enjoyed fresh in the garden or together on your table.
Corn and beans, grown together for generations, can be enjoyed fresh in the garden or together on your table.
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Plant corn in clusters of four and then thin them to three to save space and promote pollination.
Plant corn in clusters of four and then thin them to three to save space and promote pollination.
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Pole beans, such as these 'Rattlesnake' beans, can gain support from a trellis.
Pole beans, such as these 'Rattlesnake' beans, can gain support from a trellis.

Corn and beans have long been related — in history, in the garden, and in the kitchen. As two of the “three sisters,” as Native Americans call them, they coexist happily. Vining beans climb cornstalks, while big leaves of squash carpet the ground below. Modern gardeners tend to give each one its own bed, and most plant sweet corn instead of the flint and flour corns traditionally used in three sisters growing strategies. However, varieties of corn and beans have long been intertwined. It’s a treat to have them together in the summertime, such as in these sweet corn and shell bean recipes.

Summer Fresh Corn Chowder Recipe

Rainbow Succotash Salad Recipe

Summer Chili Recipe with Fresh Shell Beans

Growing Corn at Home

  • Updated on Aug 17, 2022
  • Originally Published on Jul 19, 2016
Tagged with: beans, corn, three sisters
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