Buckwheat

Beech wheat (Eng.), Bokwiet (Afr.)

Buckwheat produces edible seeds that make a gluten-free, very palatable flour, even though it is not related to wheat. Buckwheat is considered allelopathic; which suppresses the growth of other plants and make it a great “weed” control plant. It is used in the culinary world, as a medicinal plant, green manure, soil conditioner and as a cover crop.

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Summer

Fruiting time

Autumn

Harvesting

Harvest fresh leaves within three weeks of sowing. Flowers will begin to appear 4 - 5 weeks after sowing.

Propagation

Seed

Sow during Spring or Summer with an optimum spacing of 10 - 15 cm. Sowing depth between 10 - 15 mm. An average germination time of 4 - 5 days can be expected.

Special features

Attracts useful insects

Ladybugs, also attracts insects like Tanchinid flies and Hoverflies that is known to feed on pests that may harm the plant.

Crop rotation

Light Feeder. It can break heavy clay soils and are good before soil crops like carrots, turnips and potatoes.

Geography

Origin

Central Asia, Area between Lake Baikal and Manchuria

Natural climate

Temperate to warm

Environment

Light

Full Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Loam

Soil PH preference

Acid, Neutral

Frost hardiness

Tender

Uses

Personality

Family

Polygonaceae

Flower colour

White to pink

Scent

Mild

Problems

Root rot - occur in cold, wetter conditions, best treat seeds with fungicide before planting.

Aphids

Aphidoidea spp.

Companion plants

Artichoke

Cynara scolymus

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Maize

Zea mays

Eggplant

Solanum melongena

Oats

Avena sativa