Three Sisters - Winter Storage Crops and How to Grow Them

Many people are familiar with the Native American combination of growing beans, corn and squash; commonly called 'The Three Sisters". 

Here are LINKS to growing them and tips on storage and usage...

Scarlet Runner beans are our favorite beans to grow for dried-bean/winter storage. They're delicious and have a smooth, thin outer skin which makes them ideal for chili, or soups, or just to eat as a hearty winter dish. They do require a tall strong trellis or tipi, space to finish drying the pods in the fall (after harvest) and many willing hands to remove them from their pods (this is a coveted task for our volunteers in the Fall!). But they're highly productive, and beautiful too! Grow Your Own Protein - Scarlet Runner Beans 

Here are instructions for building a simple tipi, perfect for growing pole-beans. Tipis are a great way to support these vigorous climbers and a fun and shady hideout for your smaller garden helpers!  How to build a Bean Tipi/Teepee  

Part of becoming more self-sufficient has been to grow our own corn-meal. We chose an heirloom-variety of blue corn called Hooker's Blue because it's easy to grow, has high yields and makes delicious corn-meal that can be used as hot cereal, and in baked goods such as corn bread and pancake mix. Grow Your Own 'Blue Corn' 

We haven't yet written a post specifically about growing squash, or saving squash seed but here are some LINKS to posts about ways to use the squash after harvest: Making Pumpkin Pie from Scratch - Recipe; Baking Delicata Squash;