BU Three Sisters Garden

The first planting of the Three Sisters Garden at Binghamton University took place in 2022, and we have since celebrated a harvest festival every.

To see the cycles of the garden from year to year, click on the link below:

Binghamton University Three Sisters Garden Chronology

The story of the Three Sisters is central to the creation story of the Haudenosaunee people, which starts with the birth of the grandchildren of the Sky Woman (who fell from the heavens to create Turtle Island). Unfortunately, the Sky Woman's daughter passed away in childbirth, but as she died, the Three Sisters (corn, squash, and beans) grew out of her body. Along with the sisters' other crops grew, such as strawberries from her heart, potatoes from her feet, and tobacco from her head. To find out more, visit the website below.

Oneida Nation: The Legend of the Three Sisters

The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash, are always planted together as a symbol of unity and support. As the corn grows tall, the beans are given a natural ladder on which to grow. Through their roots, the beans supplement the soil with nitrogen, and the squash is helpful for not only keeping away pests and weeds but also keeping the soil moist.

Tuscarora White Corn (Zea mays)

This variety was chosen because of Binghamton University's close proximity to and in remembrance of those that died as a result of the Sullivan Campaign. Tuscarora White Corn is an ancient variety bred in Eastern North America for centuries. It has a large white kernel excellent for making cornmeal and flour, soups, stews, and hominy.

Bearpaw Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

Below you can find information on the other plants grown in the garden alongside the Three Sisters.

We will work to keep this list updated!

Amaranth/Pigweed (Amaranthus cruentus)

Different varieties of amaranth have been domesticated by multiple Indigenous groups throughout the Americas during pre-Hispanic times. There are over 70 species of amaranth. This heirloom variety is from Southern Sonora and produces bright green leaves with red flowers and stems. The leaves, stems, and seeds are edible and highly nutritious, packed with calcium, iron, and lysine.

Indigenous names for this plant:

Weywi cupeli - Mayo-Yoreme

Teosinte (Zea mays parvaglumis)

Commonly referred to as Teosinte, this annual grass is the ancient ancestor of all modern maize. It grows in the wild along the Balsas River Valley in south-central Mexico. Teosinte is shorter and bushier than modern maize. It produces very small ears with a single row of very hard triangular seeds, which disperse when ripe. Over 10,000 years ago, Indigenous people began selecting teosinte with larger ears, more seeds, and thinner seed coats, eventually leading to all of the different varieties of corn we enjoy today!

Teosinte stems from tosintli, which means sacred corn in Nahuatl

Husk Tomato/ Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica)

Physalis sp. is part of the Solanaceae family, related to tomatoes and groundcherries. This heirloom variety of husk tomatoes or tomatillos has been semi-cultivated by the Zuni in northern New Mexico for more than a century. As the husk dries, the tomatoes will ripen to a lighter green to yellow color. They are small, tart, and savory, preferred for making green salsas and stews.

Indigenous names for this plant:

Toa Ke Tsi Tokia - Zuni

Sunflower (Helianthus annus)

There are two heirloom varieties of sunflowers growing: Hopi Black Dye and Apache Brown-Stripe. These annual plants grow to over 3m tall, and the heads can get to be over 20cm across, producing seeds with black and brown stripes, respectively. Sunflowers produce hundreds of oil-rich seeds, which can be ground into flour and used in baking or eaten as a snack. The Hopi Black Dye seed hulls are used for making dyes and decorating baskets and wool products.

Indigenous names for this plant:

Na Lidi Chu- Athabaskan

Tcega' Qu' Si - Hopi

O-ah-wen'sa, [O-a/i-weni-sa]- Onandaga

Bottle Gourd Squash (Lagenaria siceraria)

Lagenaria is a genus of the Cucurbitaceae family. Indigenous to tropical Africa, gourds floated across the Atlantic into Central America, where they were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. The plants produce thick vines, white lace-like edible flowers, and fleshy fruits. Gourds produce approximately 70% of their weight in seeds, which are packed with protein and 17 amino acids. The gourds grow approximately 20 cm in height with a smaller upper and larger lower chamber. These are also dried and made into canteens, bowls, rattles, and ladles, and carved or decorated into beautiful works of art. The seeds planted are of the O'odham Small Bilobal variety from the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Devil's claw (Proboscidea parviflora)

The plant is commonly known as "Devil's Claw" for its claw-like appearance when they split. It is a sacred plant to the Tohono O'odham and staple food of the Seri, and other Indigenous groups all throughout the Sonoran Desert and the Gulf of California. The plant is native to the Sonoran Desert and produces edible pods and protein-rich seeds. When dry, the pods produce a very strong, dark-colored fiber which is used to make baskets.

Indigenous names for this plant:

i:hug or ihuk-O'odham, basket claw

Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica)

Nicotiana spp. is a member of the Solanaceae family and native to North, Central, and parts of South America. This species is known as Native Tobacco or wild tobacco. It can grow to 1.5 m and produces yellow trumpet-like flowers. For centuries, traditional tobacco has been used by Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas. It is cultivated for its medicinal properties and for its cultural and spiritual significance.

Onondaga plant name = o-yen'- kwa, [O-yen-kwal, adding hon'we, "real or original."

(Nicotiana tabacum)

Virginia Gold variety can reach heights up to 1.5 m and produces on average 19 long and wide leaves. When ripe, the leaves turn bright yellow.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Another member of the Solanaceae family, potatoes were domesticated in pre-Hispanic times by Indigenous peoples in the Andean Highlands of Peru. They were later spread worldwide, becoming an important plant for many cultures. In Peru, there are thousands of varieties of these starchy tubers growing in many different colors, like blue and purple! Planted here are two different varieties of heirloom potatoes.

Potatoes are stem tubers, not roots; these are special structures used by the plant to store energy as starch.

Chile Peppers (Capsicum anuum)

Also in the Solanaceae family, Capsicum spp. was domesticated independently at different times by Indigenous peoples in Central and South America during pre-Hispanic times. C. anuum was domesticated in Mexico; common cultivars include bell peppers, jalapeños, ancho, and Anaheim. Chiles were spread globally by European traders, becoming an important ingredient in many culinary traditions. The Santo Domingo variety is iconic in New Mexico and produces chiles 7-10 cm in length with medium heat or spice levels.

The common name, chile, stems from chilli in Nahuatl.