Suitable planting dates range from May through July 20, or 10 to 12 weeks before frost. The crop flowers about four weeks after emergence, has an indeterminate growth habit, and is mature about 10 weeks after emergence. It grows vegetatively and flowers until terminated by frost. The crop grows best where the climate is cool and moist and performs well over a wide range of soil types and fertility levels. Serious diseases affecting other dicot field crops have not been important in buckwheat.
Volunteer plants can be a problem in crop sequences, but are easily controlled with herbicides.
The normal seeding rate is 36 to 72 pounds pre acre or 8 to 10 seeds per foot of 7-inch row. The grain is usually worth 6 to 10 cents per pound if a market is available. Other Alternative Crops For additional information on these and other unique crops, see the Alternative Field Crops Manual, available at the county Extension office.