Three sisters & companion planting

mensplace · March 20, 2010

Yesterday, after trying to determine the best support system for my peas and pole beans I finally went back to the idea of the old ways and planted Hickory King Corn. I already have some broad beans planting, but read that these are largely self supporting. I did throw in some sweet corn among the rows of Hickory King in hope that their short and spindly stalks might be support and have the benefit of a wind break provided by the 12 foot, heavy stalks of Hickory King. Hickory King can also be used for grits and corn meal. Had thought about indian corn, but read that they are more of a flour corn. Will put in the pole beans and butter beans later, as well as winter squash as the Hickory King stalks will last long after they have produced ears. Maybe even some tomatillo. These will all be started and ripen at different times, but those stalks should stand all summer.
Thanks to an ATTRA link provided by Carolyn long ago, I also got the idea for putting some beets between the cabbage. Will have to research other combinations for companion planning, but these combinations really maximize space and will help in the heat of the GA summer. Will also be planting LOTs of onions between and around the tomato plants and use them to mark both the rows and the perimeter of the garden. Some call Hickory King Hickory Cane. I have four long rows of the hickory King and will be planting only a few of each of the squash, so may also use it for experimenting with cucumber. Too, it will provide a windbreak for the tomatoes. All will later go into the compost pile. Now to study that companion planting list some more as I find that the synergy, combined with soil shading really helps here like in the French intensive system. Also need to further investigate the Bt as I read there are many varities and even different manufactures with the same genric name like DIPEL and DiPel. Somehow, I thought that as a bacterium it only needed to be applied once to "innoculate" the soil...apparently not the case as some recommend repeated applications. Also need to study Rhizobia as that too seems to require different types for different legumes. At least that only needs one application. Swiss chard seems to be mighty popular now. It's a shame that I despise the acrid taste. Seems that with the strength of giant sunflower and tall okra that those too could be used as climbing stalks. Springitis has REALLY hit as I see new green popping up every day, but still holding out to plant my tomatoes. Onions, rhubarb, lettuce and many other varieties are jumping out of the ground in this 70 degree weather.

March 20, 2010	#1
mensplace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,013	Three sisters & companion planting Yesterday, after trying to determine the best support system for my peas and pole beans I finally went back to the idea of the old ways and planted Hickory King Corn. I already have some broad beans planting, but read that these are largely self supporting. I did throw in some sweet corn among the rows of Hickory King in hope that their short and spindly stalks might be support and have the benefit of a wind break provided by the 12 foot, heavy stalks of Hickory King. Hickory King can also be used for grits and corn meal. Had thought about indian corn, but read that they are more of a flour corn. Will put in the pole beans and butter beans later, as well as winter squash as the Hickory King stalks will last long after they have produced ears. Maybe even some tomatillo. These will all be started and ripen at different times, but those stalks should stand all summer. Thanks to an ATTRA link provided by Carolyn long ago, I also got the idea for putting some beets between the cabbage. Will have to research other combinations for companion planning, but these combinations really maximize space and will help in the heat of the GA summer. Will also be planting LOTs of onions between and around the tomato plants and use them to mark both the rows and the perimeter of the garden. Some call Hickory King Hickory Cane. I have four long rows of the hickory King and will be planting only a few of each of the squash, so may also use it for experimenting with cucumber. Too, it will provide a windbreak for the tomatoes. All will later go into the compost pile. Now to study that companion planting list some more as I find that the synergy, combined with soil shading really helps here like in the French intensive system. Also need to further investigate the Bt as I read there are many varities and even different manufactures with the same genric name like DIPEL and DiPel. Somehow, I thought that as a bacterium it only needed to be applied once to "innoculate" the soil...apparently not the case as some recommend repeated applications. Also need to study Rhizobia as that too seems to require different types for different legumes. At least that only needs one application. Swiss chard seems to be mighty popular now. It's a shame that I despise the acrid taste. Seems that with the strength of giant sunflower and tall okra that those too could be used as climbing stalks. Springitis has REALLY hit as I see new green popping up every day, but still holding out to plant my tomatoes. Onions, rhubarb, lettuce and many other varieties are jumping out of the ground in this 70 degree weather.