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| Photo Courtesy of Lynne Hand via Compfight
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"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much" - Helen Keller
By now your garden should be planted with your corn "knee high by the 4th of July". It may also be under assault from a variety of bugs and critters all out to destroy your food chain in the backyard. In some parts of the country your plants may be baking in the sun or being engulfed by weeds. It's defeating and you swear that next year you won't plant a garden. Ever.
What you need to do is call the "3 Sisters" and let them teach you some valuable lessons - in and out of the garden. You aren't just calling any sisters here. The "3 Sisters" is a Native American Indian legend that tells the tale of planting corn, beans, and squash on one mound in the garden. Why? Simple. The plants become a community and work together for the benefit of the group. Here's how:
- Corn is the tallest sister and stands in the center. This sister is a natural bean pole.
- Squash is the middle sister. She rambles all over the mound keeping weeds at bay and the soil moist. She also has threatening vines which keeps predators away.
- Bean is the third sister. Bean climbs up the corn reaching for the sun and keeping Corn steady. Bean also gives back Nitrogen to the soil from her roots which nourishes her sisters. 3 Sisters Garden
- The "sisters" depend on each other for growth and community. Without working as a team in the garden, they may not thrive and ultimately produce fleshy vegetables. I know what you are thinking.. this is just a legend! Wrong! There has been extensive scientific research which substantiates that plants do in fact work together and in some instances, completely depend on each other. Conversely, Some plants actual repel and damage others. Go Figure!
Organic gardeners have been using companion practices that date back centuries. Many of us garden like this today without even realizing it. We plants shade plants under trees to keep them safe from the sun. They in place prevent weeds from engulfing the sun plants. Blueberries, Azaleas, and Laurel thrive near Pines and Oaks which give them the acidic soils that they love. We plants herbs in our gardens right next to our veggies and they help keep monstrous bugs from eating prized corn.
Rarely do we think that our plants are all working together to form a viable ecosystem. We just plant and move on. We water and pull weeds (maybe) and hope for the best. BUT. Like all things in life, you get back what you put in. Next year, take the time to plan what to plant where and with whom. It may make an enormous difference. Do some light research on a site like the Farmers Almanac. They are a great resource for all things green. For instance:
- Carrots, dill, parsley, and parsnip attract the good guys like lady bugs and pray mantises that will terminate the bad bugs when they find them.
- Marigolds are great soldiers in the garden that help repel some animals and bugs such as beetles and nematodes.
- Spinach and strawberries are great friends working together to protect each other.
- Potatoes love to be paired with beans, corn, and eggplant.
- Tomatoes play very well with basil, chives, onions, and marigolds.
What can the "3 Sisters" teach us?
There are friends and foes in every garden...
What have you done lately to encourage the "plants" on your team to be true companions and team up together?
As the head gardener of your team you need to jump in and ensure that you have the right "plants" in the right places so that they can work together. This takes passion, a belief in your people, planning, and patience. Like a healthy vibrant garden - it's worth it!
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success" - Henry Ford
Sound familiar? Isn't this what friendly plants do? You know what can happen when you have the wrong people working together. As a manager I can remember two instances where I had to physically insert myself between two team members to prevent an all out brawl - and these were management level people! On the DISC scale, I am a high I and high D. I love people and all kinds of stuff going on. I'm inpatient and I love to also be in charge to make quick decisions. Don't have me work next to a C - someone who is methodical and conscientious. They will drive me nuts! You truly need to know your team and make some deliberate healthy decisions. Your people will benefit from working with each other and your "garden" will flourish.
So how do you go about planting a successful team? It's easy!
- Create the best conditions right away. Keep the roots watered and give them a lot of sun. Put the right people in positions where they can thrive and work with others.
- Pick the most qualified and culturally appropriate people for your spots.
- Know your people. Discover their work styles, personalities, and goals. There's a great garden book by Nicola Ferguson called "Right Plant, Right Place" - use that concept with your team.
- Give people your support and guide them, hold them accountable, and let them go perform!
- Show your team that you trust them and demonstrate your support on a daily basis.
- Pull out the weeds and bring in the companions - you are doing your entire group a favor.
- Allow your team to mediate issues and work together - just as our corn and beans do.
- Be proactive and give feedback. Feedback and encouragement is like fertilizer.
- Celebrate successes and show how great teams work together.
- Demonstrate collaboration and commitment. Spend time in the "garden".
- Dig right down in there and grow relationships. Even the best companions need some guidance.
Neither gardening or leadership is clear cut. You can read all the books and blogs out there, but ultimately you need to dig right in and get planting. You will learn from doing and with a little planning, the team in the "right place" will thrive!
Find those perfect companions and get planting!