Buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum • Polygonaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Grain / Cover Crop
🌍 Origin Region
Central and Eastern Asia; adapted globally to temperate regions
📅 Days to Maturity
30-45 days for flowering (pollinator use), 70-90 days for grain harvest.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-11 as a warm-season annual; not frost hardy.
About This Seed
Seeds are distinctive 3-angled achenes, pyramid-shaped, dark brown to black in color with a hard outer hull. The plant is a fast-growing annual reaching 2-4 feet tall with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small white or pink flowers.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Late Spring to Summer; sensitive to frost, sown after soil warms
Germination
Germinates in 3-5 days; optimal soil temperature 65-85°F (18-29°C). Light is not required for germination. High germination rate usually exceeding 85%.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth: 0.5 to 1 inch. Spacing: Broadcast or drill seeds closely (1-2 inches apart). Prefers well-drained loamy or sandy soils with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (at least 6-8 hours); moderate watering needs, relatively drought-tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture during flowering.
Companion Plants
Beneficial as a cover crop for most vegetables; avoid planting near slow-establishing crops if they will be outcompeted for light.
Special Characteristics
Excellent 'smother crop' for weed suppression, top-tier pollinator attractor (honeybees), phosphorus scavenger, and gluten-free grain source.