The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to grow these three crops together. Corn provided a tall stalk for the beans to climb on, while the beans provided nitrogen for the soil, which helped the corn and squash grow. The squash, in turn, helped to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds.
Fish fertilizer
The Pilgrims learned from the Native Americans how to use fish as fertilizer for their crops. Fish contains phosphorus and nitrogen, which are essential nutrients for plants. The Pilgrims would often bury fish in the soil around their plants or make a fish emulsion to water them.
Mulching
The Pilgrims also learned from the Native Americans how to mulch their crops. Mulch is a layer of material that is placed on the soil around plants to help retain moisture, prevent weeds, and protect the roots from temperature extremes. The Native Americans would often use straw, leaves, or grass as mulch.