permaculture

[Mark <mpludwig@facstaff.wisc.edu>]

At 12:27 PM 4/23/02 +0000, you wrote:

> >Sara in IN Wrote:
>
> >Question on buckwheat -- how long after last frost date should it be 
> planted? Last year we had a late frost that knocked out the first 
> buckwheat planting and the second planting about 3 weeks later never did 
> take off.

IMO - It's so cheep I'd be tempted to push the date, in fact I broadcast 
some just a few days ago, 5 weeks to the official last frost date.

> >What recommendations do you have on use of buckwheat as a cover crop ?
>
> Don't let it go to seed, can become a pest quickly.
> Jeff

I'm taking a different tack on this.  I actually spread it lightly over the 
whole living mulch garden.  This should provide both small flowers for 
predators/pollinators as well as some soil conditioning.  I'll also have 
some rows and maybe a few beds of the stuff mostly for soil 
conditioning.  If it turns into a weed, then I don't have to buy it 
anymore.  I have also taken to spreading it in ditches, near trees 
etc.  I'm hoping I can limit the mowing and trimming needs around the place 
and build up more good bugs.



Mark P. Ludwig
Poultry Research Lab
University of Wisconsin -Madison
608-262-1730 WK
608-846-7125 HM