Cover Crops
Buckwheat
Description
Buckwheat is a short-lived summer annual reaching maturity in just 70-90 days. Buckwheat is not a grain or even a grass, but an herb. It is one of the fastest and easiest establishing cover crops available. It can produce 2-3 tons of dry matter in just 6-8 weeks making it an excellent crop for summer weed suppression. It is easy to kill and is known for its ability to extract phosphorus from the soil. It is also known for its sweet blossoms that attract beneficial insects. It is very succulent and does not add much to the soil by way of biomass.
Management
Buckwheat likes light to medium, well-drained soils, sandy loams, loams, and silty loams. It grows best in cool, moist conditions. Buckwheat is not drought tolerant. It works very well as a nurse crop. Make sure to cut back on the seeding rates. It is very susceptible to frost and kills easily by rolling.
Establishment
Drill 50-60 lbs./A ½ to ¾ inch deep when all danger of frost is past. For weed suppression or broadcasting into a firm seedbed, use up to 90 lbs./A. For a nurse crop, use one-third the usual rate.
- Buckwheat is good as a summer crop to suppress weeds, mellow the soil, and attract beneficial insects.
- It establishes very quickly with a fibrous root system; it’s easy to kill, decomposing quickly.
- Lifago, a late-maturing buckwheat, is good as a summer crop to smother weeds, mellow soil,
and attract beneficial insects. - Lifago is the best buckwheat to use in mixes, since it pairs well with other species because of its late maturity.