Written by Anastasia Eginoglou - Editor: Zeynep Yılmaztürk
Growing up in the city, I was one of the few kids in my area whose parents were raised in the village. This meant I was able to enjoy the nature - the plants, the farm animals, the quiet summer afternoons in the garden - as well as learn about it. My grandfather, who is now 85, always explained to me when and how much we should water each plant, when the best time of year to sow them is, and which plants are “friends with each other and which are not.” More specifically, it was the carrots and the onions which, as he said, “loved being around each other, which made them happy and healthy.”.
Fast forward a few years, and I was an anthropology student looking for some papers for my research, when I came across the Tale of the Three Sisters. A story by the Iroquois people, explaining how some plants function and thrive together, but don’t do quite as well when they are planted apart. I automatically connected this knowledge to what my grandfather has been telling me for all these years, but in my head, they were not based on some scientific knowledge. After some digging online, I came across some research results explaining how this tale, as well as many others around the world, offer suggestions based on science - even if they did not know it back then.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s tempting to think we’ve reached the peak of human knowledge. But as we face some of the biggest environmental challenges ever, it’s becoming clear that underestimating the wisdom of the past has been a huge mistake. What if we paused, took a breath, and looked back to a time when people lived in harmony with nature? Let’s dive into the story of the Three Sisters, a Native American myth that holds some powerful lessons for today.
Long ago, in a sunlit field, there lived three sisters who were inseparable. They were different in size, appearance, and personality:
The youngest wore green and could only crawl at first.
The middle sister, dressed in bright yellow, loved running freely in the breeze.
The eldest stood tall and straight, with a pale green shawl and golden hair blowing in the wind.
Though unique, the sisters shared an unbreakable bond and couldn’t imagine life apart.
One day, a boy appeared in their field. He was curious and skilled, carving tools and speaking to animals. The sisters watched him in wonder. But as summer turned to fall, the youngest sister disappeared, leaving her siblings heartbroken. Later, the middle sister also vanished, leaving only the eldest behind. Alone and grieving, she stood tall but felt fragile as the days grew colder.
When harvest season arrived, the boy heard the eldest sister’s cries. Feeling sorry for her, he carried her to his home, where a joyful surprise awaited: her two lost sisters were safe and sound! They had followed the boy to his lodge and decided to stay, helping him prepare for winter.
The youngest sister filled the pot with food. The middle sister dried herself to contribute later.
And the eldest joined in, grinding meal. Reunited, the three sisters were happier and stronger and were never apart again.
At first glance, this tale seems to be about sibling love. But it’s also a brilliant analogy for how three crops -corn, beans, and squash- work together in harmony.
Here’s how each "sister" plays her part:
Corn or Maize (the eldest sister): She stands tall and provides a structure for beans to climb, replacing the need for poles.
Squash (the middle sister): Her broad leaves grow over the soil, acting like a living blanket to protect against weeds and keep the soil cool and moist.
Beans (the youngest sister): She climbs up the corn while fixing nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for all three crops.
It’s important to say that nutritionally, these crops complement each other, too:
Corn offers calories but lacks certain amino acids.
Beans are protein-rich and provide the missing amino acids.
Squash is packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy oils from its seeds.
Together, they form a complete and balanced diet.
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The Three Sisters aren’t just a farming method: they’re a philosophy. They represent an early form of regenerative agriculture, a way of farming that doesn’t just sustain the land but heals it.
This approach emphasises:
Crop diversity maintains balance in the ecosystem.
Soil health is achieved by minimising erosion and nutrient depletion.
Mutual support between plants (mirroring the interdependence of the Three Sisters).
These principles feel especially urgent today as we grapple with soil degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. By looking at practices like the Three Sisters, we can rethink modern agriculture to work with nature instead of against it.
The wisdom of Indigenous cultures, like the Haudenosaunee people (aka Iroquois), who cultivated the Three Sisters, offers timeless lessons. In their fields, every plant had a role, every resource was respected, and nothing was wasted. Their practices remind us that progress isn’t about domination - it’s about balance.
As we search for solutions to heal our planet, perhaps the answers lie in stories like this one: simple, grounded, and rooted in respect for the earth. The Three Sisters also teaches us that just like plants, humans thrive when we work together.
Tomatoes, Basil, and Marigolds: Tomatoes deter pests harmful to basil. Basil enhances tomato flavour and repels pests like mosquitoes. Marigolds deter nematodes and attract beneficial insects.
Carrots, Onions, and Radishes: Carrots and radishes grow well together since radishes mature quickly and loosen the soil for carrots. Onions deter pests that affect carrots and radishes.
Lettuce, Spinach, and Strawberries: Lettuce and spinach grow well together due to similar light and watering needs. Strawberries provide ground cover, reducing soil erosion and suppressing weeds.
Cucumber, Nasturtium, and Dill: Nasturtiums repel pests harmful to cucumbers. Dill attracts beneficial insects and enhances the cucumber’s flavour.
Global organisations and national institutions increasingly recognise the value of companion planting and diversified cropping systems as integral components of sustainable agriculture. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) promotes agroecology through its "10 Elements of Agroecology" framework, which emphasises practices like intercropping and biodiversity to enhance ecological resilience and productivity.
Similarly, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the role of diverse cropping systems and agroecological practices in adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts (FAO, 2024)
At the national and local levels, many countries encourage companion planting through agricultural extension programs and organic certification guidelines. For instance, the USDA's Cooperative Extension System provides resources on companion planting to improve crop production and pest management.
In Europe, institutions like Wageningen University offer courses on intercropping as a means to sustainable agriculture, emphasising its benefits for productivity and environmental resilience (NIFA, 2025).
While there is no universal mandate enforcing these practices, the widespread endorsement by global organisations, national policies, and academic institutions underscores the importance of diversified planting systems in achieving sustainable and resilient agricultural landscapes.
References:
Altorenna, A. (2014, September 24). Companion Planting: Tomatoes, Marigolds, and Basil. HubPages. https://discover.hubpages.com/living/Companion-Planting-For-Tomatoes?
Cooperative Extension System. (2023). National Institute of Food and Agriculture. https://www.nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa/how-we-work/extension/cooperative-extension-system?
FAO. (2024). Overview | Agroecology Knowledge Hub | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Www.fao.org. https://www.fao.org/agroecology/overview/en/
Hudson, L. (2023, October 16). “Plant them together!” These two popular vegetables grow so much better next to each other. Livingetc. https://www.livingetc.com/advice/companion-planting-carrots-and-onions?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Marsh, Emily. “The Three Sisters of Indigenous American Agriculture | National Agricultural Library.” Www.nal.usda.gov, 2021, www.nal.usda.gov/collections/stories/three-sisters.
NRDC. “Regenerative Agriculture 101.” NRDC, 29 Nov. 2021, www.nrdc.org/stories/regenerative-agriculture-101.
Seda Öztekin, & Kaya, N. K. (2025). Permaculture-Based Conservation Approach for the Sustainability of Historical Rural Landscapes in the Face of Climate Change: The Case of Barbaros Rural Settlement. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202504.0218.v1
The Legend of the Three Sisters – Oneida Indian Nation. ONEIDA, www.oneidaindiannation.com/the-legend-of-the-three-sisters/, Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
The Three Sisters – Exploring an Iroquois Garden, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 1997.
Webster, R. (2024) When Ancient Wisdom Beats Modern Industry ,TED-Ed, ed.ted.com/lessons/the-mystery-of-the-lost-sisters-rebecca-webster/digdeeper. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
Willis, K. (2024, May 10). Companion Plants for Cucumbers. Real Self-Sufficiency. https://realselfsufficiency.com/companion-plants-cucumbers/