Sweetcorn+climbing beans?

[ronniethescot]

Is it ok to plant some sweetcorn in the middle of my climbing bean wig-wam?

[greenstar]

I would say not, Ronniethescot. Sweetcorn needs full sun and so I think it would be a bit too shady in the middle of a wigwam. Apparently native Americans did used to grow sweetcorn, squash and climbing beans in the one bed, but the idea was to plant the corn first, let one bea plant climb up the corn and plant the squash so that it trailed through both and provided a kind of living mulch. You could try some salad or spinach in there if the beans aren't too densely planted, but even then, there may not be enough light when the beans are high.

[Flummery]

I shoved a pumpkin in mine last year. It scrambled about and fruited ok. Maybe could have done better elsewhere but I was short of space!

[rustylady]

Do a search on the Vine and check out the 3 sisters system. Sweetcorn (or maize), climbing beans and squash.