The Three Sisters Cropping System refers to the interplanting of three staple crops, maize (corn), beans, and squash, by Native American Indian civilizations. Together, these are known as the “Three Sisters.”
- Corn provided carbohydrates and structure for bean vines to climb.
- Beans added protein through nitrogen fixation in the soil.
- Squash covered the ground to retain moisture and deter weeds/pests.
Planting the Three Sisters together in the Three Sisters Cropping System produced higher yields in a sustainable agricultural system. It was popular with the Pueblo People of the American Southwest, but was also used in other regions.
AP US History Alignment
