Quickly quick, before it's over…. The three American sisters.
The three sisters have been here since the beginning of the world, say Native Americans, and were given as a gift by the Gods to the humans in order to protect them.
The Iroquois tribe tells about the lady of the sky, that lived at the top of the sky, that looked down through a hole in the sky at the vast sea beneath. She was pregnant and fell through the hole. The animals saw that she was falling and lifted soil and sediment onto the back of a giant turtle, thus creating turtle island (later known as the North American continent) to soften her landing.
Her daughter, who was born on the earth, became pregnant by the western wind and gave birth to twin boys who were actually the first resident Americans. She herself died in childbirth and her mother, the lady of the sky, buried her in the earth on Turtle Island. From her tomb grew three plants that were meant to ensure the survival of her sons and the rest of humanity.
The three plants are corn, beans and pumpkin – our current summer's abundance.
The botanical differences between these three crops assures us that they are not sensitive to the same pests and diseases – so all of our eggs are not in one basket.
Their needs from the earth are also different and thus they do not compete with each other and can grow together.
Their different "footstep" on the earth and way they grow means that growing them together assists and complements one another…. Exactly what you would want from three sisters: be different, but similar in their love for each other and their support of one another.
Nutritionally, the three together give us a full, rich food – that meets all of our needs!
Have been grown for thousands of years in America and throughout the history of Native American agriculture (once you get to know the history, it is strange to call them Indians) they were sown together and in the same season. These crops were adopted both in agriculture and in the spiritual life of all native American cultures. They were celebrated in festivals, songs and stories and were honored as the sustainers of humanity. The native Americans always expressed gratitude to the "spirits" who gave the three sisters to the humans.
The Bean – the youngest sister, is still crawling.
Bean Spirit
She successfully climbs on her older sister to get the light she needs. At the same time she gives a hug and support to the corn from breaking in the wind.
She also enriches the soil with nitrogen which is needed by her sisters.
As a legume, she completes the corn, which is a grain, for a healthy and full protein, useable by humans. She is also full of nutritional fiber and other good stuff.
The corn – the older sister, is tall, upright, and supports and lifts the young bean.
Corn Spirit
Corn is nearly the ideal food for man. She only lacks two minerals and two amino acids, which are provided by the bean, of course J. Therefore, when eaten along with the bean, we get a complete protein. Corn also gives us the best carbohydrates and sugars.
Pumpkin or gourd – The middle sister, provides us with a variety of vitamins from her fruits and excellent oil from her seeds.
Squash Spirit
She spreads out on the ground, thus preventing erosion and weeds from disturbing her and her sisters and helps the soil retain moisture and preserve its temperature for the benefit of all three. Her large leaves receive plenty of sunlight for energy production, which is also true of her two sisters.
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We wish you all a complete and balanced week.
Yours,
Maggie and the garden staff
We expect in our baskets (draft only):
Baladi Eggplant
Thai Green Beans
Pumpkin
Peppers
Potatoes
Onion
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
And parsley
Larger ones also:
Chestnut squash
Dill
And a bundle of elongated beets (excellent fresh in salad)
Fruit baskets:
Mango varieties
Grapes
Larger ones also:
Pears
And Sabres
