Underplanting sweetcorn

[seasidegirl]

Any thoughts or advice?

I've been looking at the three sisters system but don't think it's for me because I've got a better place to put my runner beans and courgettes.

I don't have anywhere to put any dwarf beans though so thought I might grow some between the sweetcorn. Like the idea of nitrogen fixing but am a bit puzzled about the spacing and also having access to harvest both the crops.

Should I space the sweetcorn wider apart? Plant sweetcorn plants and then sow the beans direct?

Does anyone think this is worth doing?

Cheers.

[becks77]

As far as I remember s/corn should be planted in blocks of 4 to all pollination, so what we have done previously is planted the beans between the blocks, seems to work, would love to try three sisters method but just haven't managed it yet...maybe this year

[Odsox]

The 3 sisters is for climbing beans as you probably know.
I'm not sure about dwarf beans though, in my experience dwarf French beans need an dryish airy exposure or the beans tend to suffer from rot and mould otherwise.
It might be too damp and humid under corn foliage.
Worth a try though, especially if you have a warm dry summer this year

[Millymollymandy]

I think it would be too hard to harvest French beans as you need to squat down to pick and have enough space between your corn to do so - and they need harvesting regularly. Borlotti beans might be better as the corn would help support them and they don't need harvesting in the same way as French or runner beans.

[red]

we do 2 sisters planting

we put squash amongst the sweetcorn, and gherkin under the runner bean plants. i dont think 3 sisters would work in UK climate - cos the beans are ready wayyy before the sweetcorn.

[pelmetman]

I think it would be too hard to harvest French beans as you need to squat down to pick and have enough space between your corn to do so - and they need harvesting regularly. Borlotti beans might be better as the corn would help support them and they don't need harvesting in the same way as French or runner beans.

Excellent idea MMM, I was wondering where to put the Borlotti beans this year, I am also trying the 3 sisters idea with Butternut squash amongst the Sweetcorn

[seasidegirl]

Really helpful everyone - thanks.

Berlotti beans get my vote too. Excellent idea and a storable food i wdn't have had.

cheers

[Nomada]

I only came across three sister this year when looking into companion planting. I'm trying it with barlotti beans too. I've got strawberry popcorn (hopefully not too small for the beans, can't remember if it grows to 'normal' height) and I'll put some butternut and sunburst squash in there too. You could maybe put dwarf beans amongst potatoes if you're growing any? That's where I'm thinking of putting mine.

[Millymollymandy]

You could maybe put dwarf beans amongst potatoes if you're growing any? That's where I'm thinking of putting mine.

That won't work as the spuds' foliage will just smother them and they won't have any light. Also if you are going to earth up (which is the norm) they will be somewhat in the way!

If you are pushed for space dwarf french beans at a pinch can be planted in a flower bed (but near the edge so accessible for harvesting!) and they also do well in pots or windowbox type planters.

[seasidegirl]

Unfortunately I won't have any space in between my spuds. Actually I think I've got them a bit tight for earthing up anyway. Can get around that.

Will get myself a couple more tubs though. They will look mighty pretty with beans in too

EDIT

Forgot to say that the bed where my first earlies are growing is already earmarked anyway. As I clear each row am planning to fill with brussel sprouts, PSB and cabbages.
Hope this will work ok as nowhere else to put them.

[Odsox]

Forgot to say that the bed where my first earlies are growing is already earmarked anyway. As I clear each row am planning to fill with brussel sprouts, PSB and cabbages.
Hope this will work ok as nowhere else to put them.

Yes, this works well.
It's another one of those old tricks ... after earthing up your earlies you can plant sprouts between the potato rows.
They grow quickly to get above the potato haulm as first earlies normally have very low growth anyway.
The only drawback is you have to be a bit careful when you dig the spuds.

[Nomada]

You could maybe put dwarf beans amongst potatoes if you're growing any? That's where I'm thinking of putting mine.

That won't work as the spuds' foliage will just smother them and they won't have any light. Also if you are going to earth up (which is the norm) they will be somewhat in the way!

Fair enough, you know I didn't actually think about that! they can go in with the other beans and things, I just wanted to do something to improve the ground my potatoes are in, I've not had the plot long so there was no manure or anything worked into the soil last autumn or winter. Is it too late to put some on now? Would planting a green manure between the rows and digging it in do any good? Or will they just be ok?

[Millymollymandy]

Forgot to say that the bed where my first earlies are growing is already earmarked anyway. As I clear each row am planning to fill with brussel sprouts, PSB and cabbages.
Hope this will work ok as nowhere else to put them.

That's exactly what I did last year after levelling the ground where the spuds had been. Planted PSB and curly kale there which did fine (apart from the weather destroying the PSB!). Just sprinkled more organic fertiliser around before planting because there'd already been a crop there.

[Millymollymandy]

You could maybe put dwarf beans amongst potatoes if you're growing any? That's where I'm thinking of putting mine.

That won't work as the spuds' foliage will just smother them and they won't have any light. Also if you are going to earth up (which is the norm) they will be somewhat in the way!

Fair enough, you know I didn't actually think about that! they can go in with the other beans and things, I just wanted to do something to improve the ground my potatoes are in, I've not had the plot long so there was no manure or anything worked into the soil last autumn or winter. Is it too late to put some on now? Would planting a green manure between the rows and digging it in do any good? Or will they just be ok?

Nomada I think it is too late for a green manure and it might be best this year just to see how it goes just with soil, use it as an experimental control if you like! My first year my ground had no compost in it at all either and was very dry, but still produced well. As the years have gone by and lots of good muck and stuff have gone it, it retains the moisture much better. Don't forget to sprinkle some general purpose fertiliser around though as without any muck or compost the ground may well need it.

You may need to water a bit more this year but of course that's dependant on the weather!

[Nomada]

Cheers!