Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat)

Fast-growing, Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat) is a warm-season, herbaceous annual flowering plant with erect, reddish stems and arrow-shaped leaves. A profusion of shallow white flowers, resembling those of knotweeds, bloom in mid to late summer when other plants are no longer blooming. The flowers appear quickly, within 3 to 6 weeks after planting and bloom continuously for several weeks. They attract pollinators and beneficial insects and make long-lasting bouquets. They are followed by dark brown, triangular seeds about the size of a soybean.

Buckwheat Uses

Buckwheat grain

• Buckwheat is a pseudo-cereal, similar to amaranth and quinoa. It is a broadleaf plant, not a cereal grain, but its seeds are used like most cereal grains.
• The hulled seeds (groats) can be used in food preparations, such as kasha.
• Buckwheat is also processed into products such as breakfast foods, flour, and soba noodles.
• Buckwheat is gluten-free and a good energy source, containing high levels of resistant starch and various nutrients.
• Studies show Buckwheat is more satiating than other grains (wheat, rice) and can provide health benefits. It may promote weight loss, improve heart health, and help manage diabetes.
• As a whole grain, it provides at least 10% of the recommended daily needs in protein, fiber, phosphors, and B vitamins (B2, B3).
• It is also an excellent source (over 20% of the recommended daily needs) of magnesium, copper, and manganese.

Pollinators, beneficial insects, wildlife habitat

• Buckwheat flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees and honeybees. The dark-colored honey produced is famous thanks to its deep and nutty flavor.
• They also attract beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps, minute pirate bugs, ladybeetles, tachinid flies, and hoverflies. They will prey on insect pests of neighboring crops.
• Buckwheat has the potential to attract aphids and lygus bugs. However, these may become a food source for the beneficial insects attracted by the flowers.
• The seeds are happily devoured by gamebirds, songbirds, and small mammals, such as squirrels.
• Buckwheat attracts deer, rabbits, and turkeys that feast on young plants.

Suppress weeds

• Fast-growing, Buckwheat forms a dense canopy and is excellent at suppressing weeds (summer annual weeds and perennial weeds).

Cover crop and greater biodiversity in crop rotations

• Though not a legume, Buckwheat is an excellent cover crop. It produces seed faster than any other grain crop, making it well-suited to areas with short growing seasons. Buckwheat reaches maturity in only 10 to 12 weeks.
• Buckwheat can prevent erosion, improve soil aggregation (thanks to its extensive root network, which leaves the soil mellow), and scavenge nutrients such as phosphorus and calcium.
• When Buckwheat residue is incorporated into the soil, it quickly breaks down and releases nutrients for uptake by the following crop.

Livestock forage and feed

• Buckwheat has historically been used to feed cattle, pigs, and chickens. While the grain is high in amino acid lysine (deficient in other grains), it has a lower feed value than oats, wheat, oats, barley, rye, or corn.
• It should be mixed with other grains when fed to livestock and do not include more than 30% of the mixture – or this may lead to skin rashes when the animals are out in the sunshine.

Growing Buckwheat

• Buckwheat grows to 6-36 in. tall (15-90 cm).
• Performs best in light to medium, moist to mesic, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.
• The plant tolerates low-fertile soils and acidic soils but is not tolerant of extreme drought, flooding, or frost. It will not perform well in compacted, saturated, or coarse soils.
• Buckwheat should be planted after the danger of frost has passed.
• If grown for grain harvest, it should be planted when seed development can occur in cool weather and plant growth can occur in warm weather.
• If grown as a cover crop, Buckwheat can be planted anytime as long as the soil temperature is warm enough for seed germination ( between 45-105ºF (7-40ºC), and there is enough for biomass accumulation.
• Sow seeds 0.5 to 1.5 in. deep (1-3 cm) and 3 in. apart (7 cm) in 6 to 8 in rows. Seeds usually germinate within 3 to 4 days if the soil is warm.
• Buckwheat grown as a cover crop should be mowed no more than 10 days after the plants begin to bloom (about 4 to 7 weeks after planting) in order to prevent the plants from reseeding and becoming a weed.
• If grown for beneficial insect habitat, let your plants bloom for at least 20 days, so that minute pirate bugs can produce a new generation.
• Buckwheat can also be grown until it fully matures and be harvested for grain or left to reseed the field.
• The plant is easily killed by mowing or frost. Residue breaks down quickly- Another crop should be planted as quickly as possible to cover the soil.
• No serious insect or disease issues. Keep an eye out for root rot, leaf spot, aster yellows, powdery mildew, and sclerotinia stem rot.
• Buckwheat can become a weed if its seeds are allowed to mature in the field.
• Buckwheat grain can lead to a skin rash in livestock if consumed in large quantities or frequently.
• This plant has low-severity poison characteristics.
• Propagated by seed.
• Native to south-central China and Tibet.

Companion Plants

Buckwheat is a good companion plant for Brussel Sprouts, Cantaloupe, Fenugreek, Gourd, Kale, Melon, Muskmelon, Pumpkins, Soybeans, Summer Squash, Watermelon, Winter Squash, and Zucchinis.