Author Topic: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?  (Read 5420 times)

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Offline hamptor

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Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« on: November 09, 2015, 03:55:41 pm »
I sowed 2 raised beds in my garden in late summer with buckwheat so my bees would have the buckwheat for pollen/nectar.  They loved it, but now I don't know what to do with it.  It's got little black clusters of pods/seeds on them.  I don't have any way to mill it.  Do I just cut off some of the pods for reseeding next year, or is there anything else to do with it? We're not talking massive amounts of it - just what's in my raised beds.  Suggestions?
Thanks!

Offline brooksbeefarm

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2015, 05:04:04 pm »
I would take the seed heads and get the seeds out of them, put them in a zip lock and in the freezer till next year. No use buying more seed if you don't have to. Jack

Offline riverbee

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2015, 05:24:31 pm »
what jack said hamptor!  also, don't be surprised if you find buckwheat growing in your raised beds next year.

bees love buckwheat and we plant a great deal of it every year.  hmmm someone bought quite a few bags of it.........anyone need any?............. :D
i keep wild things in a box..........™
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Offline efmesch

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2015, 04:39:51 pm »
I would take the seed heads and get the seeds out of them, put them in a zip lock and in the freezer till next year. No use buying more seed if you don't have to. Jack

Why freeze it?  Just keep it dry and free of insect pests and it will hold till you plant it next year.  Rest assured, the firms that sell seed don't keep their seeds in a freezer till the next season.

Offline apisbees

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2015, 04:42:27 pm »
Johnny Appleseed the ditches and road allowances. More bee forage.
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Offline hamptor

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2015, 07:21:40 pm »
Thanks for the input!   I cut some off the stalks - will work on getting them out of the hulls (????)
Threw the remaining plants with seeds in a gully  for reseeding.  Hope it comes back!

Offline efmesch

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2015, 02:43:14 am »
Nine or ten years ago I bought and planted anemone corms in my flower bed.  I picked some of the flowers and let others go to seed.  The wind dispersed seeds over my lawn.  Every year the spread and density of new anemone plants increases.  Two years ago I stopped mowing the grass during the season when the anemones are growing and flowering so as to give them a better chance at increasing their hold on the territory. 
My chest puffs up in pride when neighbors walk past and comment on how beautiful a sight it is. 
When I see my bees bringing home dark packets of pollen in January and February I know they are thanking me too.

Online Bakersdozen

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2015, 03:03:06 am »
Johnny Appleseed the ditches and road allowances. More bee forage.

Excellent idea!  Milkweed too.

Offline Lburou

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2015, 06:01:31 pm »
Nine or ten years ago I bought and planted anemone corms in my flower bed.
I found 120 anemone bulbs delivered for $7.50, thanks for the idea Ef.  :-)
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Gypsi

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Re: Buckwheat - what do I do with it?
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2016, 09:48:22 pm »
I need some buckwheat seeds.  What kind of anemone?