Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) Cover Crop Seed, Organic
$3.95 – $9.00
Family: Buckwheat (Polyganaceae)
Annual, maturing in 70 days. Not winter hardy.
Native to Yunnan in China (the genecenter of buckwheat), growing 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the soil fertility. Excellent biomass and nectar producing cover crop for warm season application. Great choice for protecting bare soil from the the sun, working well on both fertile and depleted soils. Wthstanding full sun and also quite shade tolerant, this cover crop is edible to humans and wildlife alike. Sow 2 lbs per 1,000 square feet; 30 lbs per acre. If not cut back when young, plants will go to seed, become spindly and lodge. Most of us mow or till it under when it reaches 18 inches or so. 500 seeds per packet.
Seeds of Buckwheat, Certified Organically Grown
Related products
Bean, Fava (Vicia faba) seeds, organic
$3.95 – $9.00 Select options
Question
Tim Child –
Would it be ok to use a tiller with a tilling depth control to help plant this seed? How long dose it take for this seed to germinate once it has been planted?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Actually, yes, we often plant buckwheat by strewing the seed and then working it in shallowly with the tiller. it comes up in about a week. very fast germinator, fast cover, easy.
(0) (0)
Denise –
I need a good cover crop for Florida
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
good call, this crop is loaded with bioflavonoids and is good for the ecosystem
(0) (0)
Question
Tim Child –
What are some good variety’s of summer grown cover crops that can be planted during the summer months? Buckwheat seems to be disappearing.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Tim, Buckwheat is a quick summer cover and can be mowed and tilled under when it starts to flower. Red Clover also does well in summer weather. richo
(0) (0)
Tim Child –
Thank you for the information. I have planed on growing cover crops on the old garden site to eliminate weeds, improve fertility, and break up the hard pan spots. This may be a 2 or 3 year project and was going to start with buckwheat but that has sold out of a lot of company’s but there may be one company that might have buckwheat. I will consider Red Clover if buckwheat is to hard to find.
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi tim, we have buckwheat, you can order it from us mailorder. it is good seed of proven viability. richo
(0) (0)
Question
Tim –
Since the height of the plant depends on soil fertility could this plant be used as a fertility indicator?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
sure!
(0) (0)
Question
Remi –
Can the buckwheat cover crop be grown for the seed/grain? The description seemed to discourage letting it grow to seed.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Remi,
The buckwheat is open-pollinated and grows true from seed. It is fine to let it go to seed if you want, or to use it as a quick summer cover to improve soil tilth and protect soil from sunburn. Richo
(0) (0)
Lori –
I’m interested in organic gardening and working with raised garden beds. Is this buckwheat cover crop variety that you are offering above in your description called “Mancan” Buckwheat that can be harvested to make buckwheat flour? The “Mancan” buckwheat cover crop variety can be harvested into a flour that is used in making breads and pancakes, etc.
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Lori, Mandan is a variety of buckwheat. It is a mid-season type that has good seed yields. Our open-pollinated organic buckwheat is a 65-90 day maturity buckwheat with excellent seed yields. All true buckwheat seed is edible, it doesn’t require a specific variety to assure edibility.
Richo
(1) (0)
jewelsmom32 –
Hi. I’m kinda new to gardening, I’m trying to design and implement a self sustaining bird/butterfly/critter environment. Is it ok to let the buckwheat self seed for a few years? Or will it exhaust the soil, and I should rotate instead? Thank you very much for your time.
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi jewelsmom, thanks for writing. I do think the buckwheat lends itself best to rotations. it builds soil and does not self-seed too vigorously. the most self-sustaining cover i know is red clover. richo
(3) (0)