Today’s post comes from GG reader Jennifer Twin Mom. She’s a green gardener who can grow perfect parsnips. This year, she wants to experiment with the three sisters method — a interplanting technique for corn, squash and beans developed by Native Americans.

Her plan involves planting FIVE HILLS OF ZUCCHINI — Is this crazy talk? Please weigh in fellow GG readers!

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From Jennifer Twin Mom:

When I originally envisioned this year’s garden, my plan was to build some support system on the south side of my house so that my pole beans and zucchini could climb up it and bask in the hot sun. Yesterday my husband (who I suspect is trying to get out of having to build the aforementioned support system) suggested that we try The Three Sisters.

I know that I can’t expect a huge crop of corn, considering the size and shape of my garden, but I like the idea of corn even from just an aesthetic perspective, so I’m OK with that (hey, I grew up in farm country).

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My crop circle was defeated by crop failure.

I wanted my corn to grow taller than the Jolly Green Giant. I wanted ears as big as my arm. I wanted to hide in the lush green foliage and jump out at Brian as he mowed the lawn.

Instead, I grew anemic stalks with with poorly pollinated cobs barley bigger than baby corn.

I eventually surrendered my Peaches and Cream to the squirrels. They downed all the stalks in less than a week. In the mornings, I’d watch them finish off a cob, then happily preen themselves in the sun. (For a moment, my fury foes looked kind cute, almost endearing. Then they dug up my planters of argula and snap peas — Argh!)

What went wrong? Did I plant my corn too late? Not fertilize enough? Forget to water one too many times?