Buckwheat

Polygonaceae

FASTEST cover crop in existence — flowers in 30 days, full cycle 70-90 days. 3-5 day germination. Phosphorus accumulator (3× barley, 10× rye). Activates rock phosphate. Dense canopy suppresses weeds up to 85%. Premier bee forage — continuous nectar 6-10 weeks. NOT a legume — does NOT add nitrogen. Self-sows AGGRESSIVELY if allowed to seed — MUST terminate before seed matures. Frost-killed at 28°F.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

30–45 days

Sun

6+ hours

Container

Not Ideal

Height

2–3 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 3–5 days

Optimal Temp 65°F

Seed Depth 0.5"

Watering

Needs Moderate

Resilience

Heat: Medium Cold: Low Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

First flowers/bloom

Sources

research Multiple research sources reference SARE — Managing Cover Crops Profitably: Buckwheat government USDA NRCS — Cover Crop Termination (factsheet)

More Cover crops

Buckwheat Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Buckwheat vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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