The Three Sisters is a name for the group of three main crops grown by Native Americans: corn, squash, and beans. Commonly used in companion planting, each plant provides benefits for one another. Corn provides a trellis for climbing beans. Beans fix nitrogen into the soil. Squash leaves shade the soil to retain soil moisture, provide a cool microclimate, and suppress weeds. Additionally, the combination of corn and beans together in the diet provide a full spectrum of necessary amino acids.
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