Buckwheat Companion Planting

In early spring, as soon as soil is workable, select a sample of soil to send to your local university cooperative extension for testing. This testing is low-cost or free in most areas and will inform you of what supplements your soil may need to allow crops to flourish, as well as how to fertilize your buckwheat companion crop.

Determine companion crops to partner with buckwheat. As a smother crop, use buckwheat to minimize or eradicate weeds such as quack grass, Canada thistle, sow thistle, creeping jenny, leafy spurge, Russian knapweed and perennial peppergrass. When it is used as green manure, buckwheat raises potassium and nitrogen levels in soil, making it an excellent precedent for almost any other crop.

Plant buckwheat seeds 1 to 2 inches deep after danger of frost, or early enough to grow to maturity before the first predicted killing frost, as buckwheat is especially sensitive to low temperatures. Select relatively infertile soils with good drainage. Buckwheat will not grow as rapidly in heavily enriched soil and prefers a moist, cool climate. Seeds will germinate in 3 to 5 days at temperatures between 45 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water seeds and keep them moderately moist throughout the growing season.

Fertilize buckwheat seedlings based on the results of soil testing. This is important, as heavily fertilizing buckwheat may negatively impact its productivity, and will not enhance its production.

Do not apply pesticide to buckwheat as pests do not normally damage the crop, with the exception of Japanese beetles, which often eat the flowers. Manage beetles using the organic method of your preference, such as beetle traps.