I planted some buckwheat in basically a 3'x25' half-row. My plans was to use it to add organic matter to the garden soil by mowing it down with some cordless hedge trimmers and using it for mulching. Once mowed down, plant some more, rinse and repeat. I'd also read about it's ability to attract beneficial insects and knew that was a good thing.

BUT...I DID NOT *REALLY* KNOW HOW WELL IT WOULD ATTRACT BENEFICIAL INSECTS!!!!!!
I walked out to the garden this morning and the buckwheat was teeming with hordes of different types of beneficials...predators and pollinators. It was really incredible. I could hear the buzz of the insects several feet before I got to row of buckwheat...big and small/tiny wasps, honey bees, bumble bees, hover bees, saw an assassin bug the other day on it, just a variety of different bugs giving the garden a good buzz!!! Now it's going to be hard to mow it down before it goes to seed, but I'll need to. But, I *will* be replanting....and planting some around the perimeter of the garden, too!!!!

If you're wanting some natural pest control and good pollinators plant some buckwheat...the good bugs will definitely find it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buckwheat is good, good, good!!!!!

Have you cut it yet? I want to see what it looks like!

Yes buckwheat is a good thing to add to the veggie garden because it attracts all sorts of pollinators. And then it makes green mulch.

I used to plant it all the time. It is slightly weedy looking so not for a formal garden but I find it pretty enough.

@Kabby
Nope, haven't cut it yet. I'll try to get a picture up a little later.

@Newyorkrita
Yep, not a formal-looking plant, pretty though, as you said. I think it's so tender that it tends to fall over easily as it did when we had a storm blow through. Pretty little flowers, though.

That is a beautiful flower, I'd be interested if I was an insect!

Intheswamp said:

That is really nice and you have such a nice large area planted.

Had anyone ever grown it in a container?

I am sure it would do well in a larger container.

Like Rita, said, it should do well in a large container. You might want to get one of those little, round tomato cages to put in the container...buckwheat can get leggy and fall over. Pretty plant.

Ed when did you plant it? Is it like rye, plant it for a winter crop into spring? I'm curious as to how long it would last in a container, bloom out then die back? Any thoughts Rita?
I'm all for pollinators, my part time neighbor said they killed a nest of bumble bees, I could have cried. Bumbles are what I see in my garden the most.

Kabby said:Ed when did you plant it? Is it like rye, plant it for a winter crop into spring? I'm curious as to how long it would last in a container, bloom out then die back? Any thoughts Rita?
I'm all for pollinators, my part time neighbor said they killed a nest of bumble bees, I could have cried. Bumbles are what I see in my garden the most.

I really don't know how long it actually lasts. But it is an annual. I used to pull mine after it seeded and then replant. Oh it loves heat so not for too early in the spring.

It is a summer plant. Makes the best flour. I just love Buckwheat pancakes and muffins. Have to really look for a mill that will custom grind it tho.