Buckwheat

Plant family

Knotweed family (Polygonaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Seeding distance

15 cm

Row spacing

25 cm

Seeding depth

0 cm

Instructions

Description

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a member of the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). Buckwheat is a pseudocereal: it is not a member of the sweet grasses (Poaceae), but it is used in a similar way to cereals. Unlike wheat and other cereals, however, it is gluten-free and versatile. It likes light, acid soil in a sunny to semi-shady location. Buckwheat is also suitable as a green manure, as it prevents weeds from growing and prepares the soil. It has a short germination period and can therefore be sown on beds until mid-August. Raked in before the first frost, it serves as erosion control for the winter. In addition, its flowers are popular with insects.

Growing tips

You can sow buckwheat thinly, broadly cubed. About 10 g of buckwheat per square meter is enough. Buckwheat is sensitive to frost, so it is sown outside only from May. As green manure, it is sown between July and mid-August. Cultivation time: about 10 to 12 weeks. Should be harvested before the first frosts. Needs little care, undemanding. However, if it is cut, it will not resprout. The seeds ripen gradually. Usually ready for harvest by the end of August, by which time the lower leaves have fallen and most of the seeds are hard.