New and Unread Tree-Mails
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Name: Ed South Alabama (Zone 8b)        Intheswamp May 23, 2018 2:16 PM CST |
| 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!!!!!  The poorest of the poor, a nation of children taking care of children - https://handsofloveusa.org/ |
Name: Kabby Lowndesboro, AL (Zone 8a)            Kabby May 24, 2018 1:38 PM CST |
| Have you cut it yet? I want to see what it looks like! |
Name: Rita North Shore, Long Island, NY Zone 6B           Newyorkrita May 24, 2018 2:22 PM CST |
| 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. |
Name: Ed South Alabama (Zone 8b) Intheswamp May 24, 2018 6:08 PM CST |
| @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. The poorest of the poor, a nation of children taking care of children - https://handsofloveusa.org/ |
Name: Ed South Alabama (Zone 8b) Intheswamp May 24, 2018 9:27 PM CST |
  The poorest of the poor, a nation of children taking care of children - https://handsofloveusa.org/ |
Name: Kabby Lowndesboro, AL (Zone 8a) Kabby May 25, 2018 8:38 AM CST |
That is a beautiful flower, I'd be interested if I was an insect!  |
Name: Rita North Shore, Long Island, NY Zone 6B Newyorkrita May 25, 2018 9:19 AM CST |
Intheswamp said: That is really nice and you have such a nice large area planted. |
Name: UrbanWild Kentucky (Zone 6b) Kentucky - borderline of 6a & 6b          UrbanWild Jun 15, 2018 4:39 PM CST |
| Had anyone ever grown it in a container? Always looking for interesting plants for pollinators and food! Bonus points for highly, and pleasantly scented plants. "Si hortum in bibliotheca habes, nihil deerit." [“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”] -- Marcus Tullius Cicero in Ad Familiares IX, 4, to Varro. 46 BCE |
Name: Rita North Shore, Long Island, NY Zone 6B Newyorkrita Jun 15, 2018 5:43 PM CST |
| I am sure it would do well in a larger container. |
Name: Ed South Alabama (Zone 8b) Intheswamp Jun 18, 2018 6:42 AM CST |
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.  The poorest of the poor, a nation of children taking care of children - https://handsofloveusa.org/ |
Name: Kabby Lowndesboro, AL (Zone 8a) Kabby Jun 18, 2018 10:41 AM CST |
| 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. |
Name: Rita North Shore, Long Island, NY Zone 6B Newyorkrita Jun 18, 2018 10:59 AM CST |
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 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. |
Name: Dillard Haley Augusta Georgia (Zone 8a)   farmerdill Jun 18, 2018 11:11 AM CST |
| 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. |
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