On Sept. 16, the Okfuskee and Okmulgee County OHCE groups joined Courtney Natseway at the College of Muscogee Nation Gardens for a tour and Leader Lesson on Three Sisters Gardening. Three Sister’s Garden consists of squash, corn and beans melon, pumpkin and/or gourds. The tradition was planting and growing several of the crops near one another to enhance production. Plants with known positive relationships are planted together to help reduce insect and weed infestation and it also maximizes small spaces in which to plant. Planting root vegetables with large taproots (carrots) with deep rooted plants (melons) in a compacted soil.

• Planting herbs to repel pests

• Planting marigolds to attract ladybugs – ladybug larvae eat aphids

• Planting flowers with vegetable crops to attract pollinators In years past, Mvskoke women planted:

• Corn in small hills two to three feet apart (four seeds per hill)

• Beans and Squash were planted in-between corn hills

• Corn supports bean vines

• Beans aid in Nitrogen fixation within the soil

• Squash vines act as a groundcover to protect the soil surface from erosion.

Ms. Natseway talked about the relationship between corn, beans and pumpkins as well as other native plants in the garden. Ms. Natesway told OHCE members about the Peach tree in the garden that was carried from Georgia in the Trail of Tears and the family that donated the seedlings from the tree that is now in the community garden. The CMN garden feeds not only tribal members, students at the college, but also the Tribal Senior Nutrition centers in Okmulgee County. The students in the horticulture program at the college help maintain the garden and harvest the crops. OHCE members were given tobacco seeds, and ground Mullein leaves that is used in tea for the lungs and respiratory support. To join OHCE call the Okmulgee County Extension Office to find out more about the groups in your community. Contact Jill Gibbons, FCS Educator, for more information at 918756-1958.