June 22, 2025, 11:21 am | Read time: 3 minutes
If you have a garden and grow your own vegetables, you try to plan as efficiently as possible. Space is usually limited, so many opt for mixed cultivation. One method is the Milpa bed. myHOMEBOOK garden editor Franka Kruse-Gering explains what it’s all about.
In times of ecological rethinking and a return to natural farming methods, an ancient principle of indigenous agriculture is experiencing a small renaissance: the Milpa bed. It originates from Central America, specifically from the traditions of the Maya and other Mesoamerican peoples, and offers a great combination of sustainability, soil care, and abundant yield. Implementing it is not difficult at all.
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What is a Milpa Bed?
A Milpa bed is an area where mixed cropping is practiced. Specifically, squash, beans, and corn are grown in this bed. It is also known as “The Three Sisters.”
The bed consists of three components:
- Corn forms the “backbone” of the bed. Its sturdy stalks serve as a natural trellis for the beans.
- Beans (usually pole beans) enrich the soil through nitrogen fixation, promoting the growth of all plants.
- Squash spreads across the ground, shading it and protecting it from drying out and weeds with its large leaves.
Why the Milpa Bed Works
What at first glance looks like “just mixed cropping” is actually a finely tuned ecological interplay. Each of the three plants plays a role in the system that benefits the others. The soil is preserved, less watering is needed, and the dense planting largely suppresses weeds.
Pests also have a hard time because the Milpa bed offers little monoculture. The result: a more stable microclimate, healthier plants, and less maintenance effort.
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How to Set Up a Milpa Bed
The location should be sunny and well-ventilated, and the soil should be nutrient-rich and permeable.
You can set up your Milpa bed from mid-May. It is recommended to plant the corn first. About two to three weeks later, it’s time for the squash and beans. The reason is that the corn gets a small head start and can serve as a trellis for the beans from the beginning.
When planting, always focus on small groups. Each group consists of one corn plant, two to three bean plants, and one squash plant. The corn goes in the middle, the beans around it, and the squash a little distance away. There should be a distance of about 80 centimeters between the individual Milpa groups.
Regular watering during dry periods is important, especially in the first weeks. After that, the microclimate often regulates itself. Fertilization is usually hardly necessary due to the beans–a little compost in the summer is enough.