Buckwheat Growing Guide
Growing Buckwheat is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Grain
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Growing Zones
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Plant Family
Polygonaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
10 Days After Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Buckwheat?
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Your Buckwheat Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Buckwheat's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
1 cm
Seeding Depth
10 cm
Plant Spacing
30 cm
Row Spacing
4
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Trellis.
Method: Trellis.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 3–5 days
Growing Tips
- 1Plant buckwheat in a sunny spot, as it thrives in full sunlight.
- 2Ensure the soil is well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral, and avoid overwatering; buckwheat prefers moderate moisture.
- 3Space plants about 4 to 6 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
- 4For pest control, consider using row covers to protect young plants from insects.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~70
Days to Maturity
120 cm
Mature Height
30 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
21 days
When to Pick
Harvest seeds when they turn dark
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest buckwheat when the seeds are firm and most have turned brown, typically 10-12 weeks after planting.
- 2Cut the plants at the base with a sickle or scythe, being careful not to pull them to avoid uprooting and damaging the roots.
- 3Allow the cut plants to dry in a well-ventilated area before threshing to separate the seeds.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your Buckwheat plant is simple and rewarding, even for new growers! Once the plants have finished flowering and the seeds turn brown and hard, gently snip off the seed heads and let them dry in a paper bag or on a screen in a cool, dry place for about a week. After drying, rub the seed heads between your hands to release the seeds, then separate out any plant debris. Store your clean, dry seeds in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dark spot—like a cupboard or pantry—so they’ll be ready for planting next season. You’ve got this, and each seed you save is a step toward a more sustainable garden!
Seed Production
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Grow Buckwheat from seed.
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$2.25
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