🌼 Buckwheat: Growing Guide
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at 5–30 °C (41–86 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.0–7.0. Space plants about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart. Expect 70–90 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Fagopyrum esculentum |
|---|---|
| Category | Pseudocereals |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 5–30 °C (41–86 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 70–90 days |
| Sowing depth | 3 cm (1.2 in) |
| Height | 30–100 cm (12–39 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | |||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | |||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr, Sep · Plant out: May, Oct · Harvest: Jun, Nov.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May, Sep · Plant out: Jun, Oct · Harvest: Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: May, Aug · Plant out: Jun, Sep · Harvest: Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May, Oct.
Watering
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Growing tips
A pseudocereal. Gluten-free. An excellent cover crop. Attracts bees.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Buckwheat: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr, Sep · Plant out: May, Oct · Harvest: Jun, Nov. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May, Sep · Plant out: Jun, Oct · Harvest: Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Buckwheat: how often should I water it?
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Buckwheat: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 3 cm (1.2 in).
Buckwheat: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 70–90 days.
Buckwheat: which plants grow well with it?
Lentil, Chickpea.
Plan your garden
Add Buckwheat to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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