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The longest day and shortest night mark the start of one of the most magical times in the year – the summer solstice, also known as midsummer. On Midsummer Eve nature shines in all its glory – full of life, light and a deep connection between heaven and earth. Our ancestors also celebrated this transition, connecting themselves with the forces of nature through fires, dancing and rituals. 

The Three Sisters is one of the best-known traditional companion planting techniques. It involves growing sweetcorn, beans and squashes together in the same area. Which may sound like there’s nothing much to it – but in fact this is a sophisticated growing system that evolved over many years using three crops that complement each other in functional ways. The sweetcorn grows tall, providing a climbing support for the beans. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil via symbiosis in their root system, providing extra nutrients. The squashes spread across the ground, shading the soil and helping to retain moisture. The result is a plant system that protects the soil, uses space efficiently, and yields several crops at once.

Ethnobotany sees plants not just as useful objects but as humanity’s companions – as food, medicine, fragrance, protection, symbol and memory.