1. Getting the Dirt on the Importance of Local Plants and Soils

2. The Three Sisters Copyright, legal, version number? 2

3. What’s the Scoop? Copyright, legal, version number? 3 1. After reading the story, what do you think each of the sisters represents? 2. Why do you think the sisters could not live apart? 3. Why do you think the sisters disappeared in the order they did? 4. Why do you think the three sisters are just as important today as they were in the past? 5. Why do you think they are grown in London?

4. The Youngest Sister Bean Plant Characteristics: Copyright, legal, version number? 4 Color: Green Small yellow/white flowers Leaf shape: Ovate Root Structure: Tap root Plant Structure: Vine-like

5. Copyright, legal, version number? 5 Squash Plant Characteristics: The Middle Sister Color: Green Large yellow flowers Leaf shape: Palmate Root Structure: Tap root Plant Structure: Ground Vine

6. Copyright, legal, version number? 6 The Oldest Sister Corn Plant Characteristics: Color: Pale Green Long golden tassels Leaf shape: Linear Blades Root Structure: Fibrous Plant Structure: Tall standalone

7. Copyright, legal, version number? 7 Growing Together Why should they be grown together? Corn helps beans grow up to reach the sun Beans provide nutrients for corn and keep it from falling over The spines on squash prevent predators from eating the corn and beans

8. 8 Harvest Beans: Bean plants are planted in May and are harvested late June (2 months/30-50 days) Squash: Squash plants are planted in May and are harvested in Mid July-August (2 months/60 days) Corn: Corn plants are planted in Mid April till May and are harvested in October and November (5 months/ 150 days) Beans: Bean plants are planted in May and are harvested late June (2 months/30-50 days) Squash: Squash plants are planted in May and are harvested in Mid July-August (2 months/60 days) Corn: Corn plants are planted in Mid April till May and are harvested in October and November (5 months/ 150 days)

9. The Three Sisters Today 9 The three sisters all provide the same benefits today as they did a long time ago Corn is a carbohydrate (gives us energy) Beans are full of protein (builds bones and muscles) Squash has a variety of different vitamins (helps us grow and stay healthy) They are still very important for us to eat!

10. The Three Sisters in London 10 Here is a map of London’s soils. Soil is important to the three sisters for three reasons: 1. Different soils have different nutrients 2. Different soils can hold more or less water than others 3. Firmer soils can help plants grow and help them anchor their roots into the ground Based on the colors, what is the most common soil in London? Clay

11. Copyright, legal, version number? 11 London has a lot of clay soil. Clay has many benefits: 1.Clay holds water (does not dry out) 2.Clay binds to roots providing plant stability (so they won’t blow over in the wind) 3.Clay holds more nutrients than sandy soils

12. Let’s Experiment ! Copyright, legal, version number? 12 Potting Soil Clay Sand

13. Copyright, legal, version number? 13 What did you think about the lesson? What did you learn? What did you love? What do you want to learn more about? What was boring? How would you make the lesson better?