Sowing dates for buckwheat

These are the predicted sowing dates based on climate modeling. The best date will vary with local conditions. The crop must be sown late enough to avoid heat blasting of the flowers and excessive vegative groth, but early enough that it ripens before frost.

Adjustments to predicted dates:

Latitude: Buckwheat becomes shorter and more deteminate the shorter the days. Therefore, delaying planting causes the plants to be smaller. The model does not take that into account, so the predicted dates after July 15 are on the late side, particularly in Pennsylvania.

Elevation: If you are at a higher elevation than most of the surrounding area, sow up to a week earlier than indicated. If you are at lower elevation, or within a mile of a large lake, sow up to a week later.

Moisture: The ground often dries during July. Don't delay sowing until the ground is too dry for germination! Also avoid seeding just before a severe storm. Heavy rain can crust the soil and cause serious crop loss.

Sowing date map

This map is based on modelling by Thomas Björkman, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Cornell University, Geneva, NY and Jeff Schultz, Northeast Regional Climate Center, Department of Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
 

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Last updated September 30, 1998