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West Virginia

has any one used buckwheat as a cover? and how was it? thanks

9/13/2011 5:51:50 PM

Corryton, TN

Used it several times. You can plant it a couple times a year to ad organic matter and till it in when it's in full bloom. The frequent tilling helps to eliminatew some of the weed seed bank also. This time of year I'd consider winter rye. Just planted mine today. Typically you'll get more fall growth than winter wheat

9/13/2011 10:41:09 PM

Corryton, TN

Frost kills buckwheat. Use it a year or two in advance of planting AG's.

9/13/2011 10:47:02 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Buckwheat doesn't add a lot of organic matter. Plant some oats. You will get more of a green manure using oats. Go to a feed store and buy a bag of clean horse oats. No weed seed. Oats are make a big gain in as using as a cover crop. I've been doing it for about four years now. They probably have added a lot to were my organic matter averages around 17%

9/13/2011 10:55:25 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Great info on cover crops is on the Iowa NRCS website at:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/IA/technical/CCCv1_2.pdf . 46 different cover crops listed, showing life cycle, water needs, plant shape etc. It even lists the ones that form micorrhizal associations, if you want a cover crop to keep the micorhizzae going in your soil.

9/14/2011 12:05:16 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Sorry but I would disagree with it being a poor cover crop. If done right it is one of the quickest cover crops..Supresses weeds, and makes phosphorus available quickly. It also breaks up soil with its long tap roots and it very easy to kill. Mow it down let it dry as you should with any cover crop. Then till it in...If you just want nutrients a green manure is fine.

9/14/2011 1:31:16 PM

South Hero, VT

Buckwheat is best used in the spring.
Winter rye is best used in the fall.

Thanks to Iowegian for the great website.

Check out Groundhog oilseed radish for next year.

9/14/2011 6:52:29 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

Thanks Iowegian.

9/14/2011 8:08:43 PM