[Dave f]

Yet to try this but I understand in Mexico that they put a sweetcorn seed, a squash seed and a climbing bean seed in one hole.  The theory is that the bean uses the corn to grow up and the squash keeps the weeds down and conserves moisture.  Anyone tried this in the UK?

[DavidT]

Evening Dave, and welcome to the site. Isn`t that the three maidens growing method? Or some such.

[mumofstig]

It's the 3 sisters have a look at a previous topic about them
link here

[azubah]

I tried it, but the beans got eaten by mice or did not germinate, and the squash did not do very well either.
I think it is worth giving it another try, especially if we have a warm damp summer.

[DavidT]

They could have been 3 maiden sisters.

[gardener247]

instead of squash can i use courgettes or would it be too shady

[Drpink]

I have tried this. I didn't put them in one hole but did try to grow then in the same bed. Unfortunately, the corn doesn't grow tall enough in our climate to support the beans so poles will be needed. But, they did all grow very well together.

[bluelou]

I tried this last year in a raised bed but i put the seeds in seperate holes and they did well but I had to cut the leaves back a lot to let the sun in. I will tried it again but with more space between plants.

[JayG]

I think the idea probably works much better in the heat and sunshine of Mexico than it does in the UK.

I tried sweetcorn + squash a few years ago and the sweetcorn didn't seem to enjoy the competition much; adding beans as well would have turned it into a disaster!

Still, if you think we are going to have a great summer this year..........................

[bigben]

JayG - how big does the squash grow height wise? I have never grown it but hope to this year. Like you I hail from Sheffield and dont expect lots of sun! If I got my corn up to size in pots first do you think it would still suffer from the squash? I thought squash grew mainly across the ground rather than up. I like the idea of making use of the ground in this way but my corn tasted great last year but was not  big and I dont want to risk spoiling it.

[JayG]

Yes normally squash wouldn't be expected to grow more than a foot or so high, and your sweetcorn should be towering above it at at least 5 feet depending on variety.

Just didn't work out that year. For me sweetcorn are definitely one of the veggy world's great sulkers if they don't get enough warmth and sunshine, and extra competition from the surrounding squashes was seemingly the last straw for the miserable blighters!