Three Sisters

The Three Sisters were the three foundational crops of Native Americans, prior to European colonization of the Americas.

In tradition agriculture, maize (corn) was planted (often with some high-nitrogen fertilizer) such as a small fish under the seeds. Besides its own production, it served as a support for the second sister - climbing beans. The third was a member of the squash/pumpkin family, which provided shade for the soil and reduced weed growth.

While the three crop association may seem accidental; the crops, supplemented with a small amount of protein from animal sources provided high quality nutrition of the native population.

See also: Milpa agriculture