” I like your way of gardening! Not much hassle but great rewards.”
“I love your common-sense approach to gardening.”
“—that’s why I’m a reader here – no “overwhelm” just practical advice – that works.”
“I’ve been gardening for over 30 years but have learned so much from your posts. I appreciate your thoroughness and orderliness. Thanks so much.”
“Gardening is so much easier and productive since I’ve met you, Theresa. I really mean that–you have helped me so much! I used to break my back fighting weeds, poor soil, etc. Not any more!”
“—you are providing others with invaluable help. — Tending My Garden is a fantastic resource – and (the feedback) is the proof. I feel so thankful to have found it.”
“I’ve just come across your website and found so much information on onion growing it’s amazing! –”
” I came across your site searching for why my cucumber plants were wilting mid-afternoon and whether I should water them. I have not stopped reading your posts since then. —- very addictive —–will be my go-to site for my gardening needs.”
“I’m so glad I found your website!! The info is exactly what I’ve been looking for! —– more than just the typical stuff you find posted everywhere. While landscape design is my profession Vegetable gardening is a passion. I can’t wait to read more of the past posts!!”
“These days, I am no longer googling for my gardening needs. I am TMGing.”
“One of the things that sets you apart is that you know the difference between tried and true advice as opposed to the stuff we read in those ‘generic’ learn-to-garden books. I have stopped worrying about so many things since I began reading TMG.”
“The way you communicate with your readers is just marvelous! You provide such a wealth of gardening information! I am so glad to have found your blog, I`m learning so many new things here!”
“— your blog was instrumental in getting me past the ‘paralysis of over-analysis’ phase of my balcony garden…I was intimidated and lacked the knowledge I needed to get started. Your ‘can-do’ style inspired me to get started and see my summer-fall season as an experimental phase of ‘research and development’…”
“—This is the most in depth, informative blog on gardening I’ve seen.”
“—–This is what folks need to hear and it is exactly what is missing at the book stores as well. —-With all of the books, videos, encyclopedias, and google searches I could get my hands on, THIS SITE is my #1 source and a benchmark to which all other sources are compared and measured.”
“You have changed my whole gardening life! ”
“I love gardening and would never stop my subscription (to TMG). I’m learning more from you than I have in years of trying it by myself.”
” I am just so encouraged by all that I am reading from you. I can’t make myself leave your site!”
“My garden has doubled in productivity since I started reading here.”
“I wanted to let you know that from your guidance, I have discovered that ‘less is more.’ I was planting the old fashioned way–rows with lots of weeds to take care of–. Then I learned your secret of mulching heavily with straw and/or leaves. What an amazing difference. The soil is always ready for a seed or two in an empty spot and weeding is minimal. Last year we harvested twice as much produce in half the space.”
“Theresa, I’ve been gardening for about 40 years, and in the last 10 or so have tried my hand at gardening organically. I bought the books, read the websites, took the magazines, etc., but have been largely overwhelmed and discouraged. I happened upon TMG and have been reading for around 3 months. Now I know I can really do this!!! Thank you so very much for being so realistic and practical. And also for being so open, willing, and giving. You are a blessing!”
“I have learned so much, actually far more from you than from any gardening magazine I have ever subscribed to.”
“— I’m in the process of switching from chemical-based gardening to organic gardening and your website has helped me tremendously. There’s so much info on organic gardening – some of it very conflicting. You present stuff in an easy to understand, logical way.”
“Every time I hear something “out there” about gardening, I think…….wait that sounds too complicated, Theresa keeps it simple…….do what she does. Lol. You have kept me from jumping on the crazy train! ”
“I discovered your blog just last week while searching the web for information on raised bed gardening. I was actually pricing rough-cut lumber from a local saw mill, and looking for design ideas for wooden boxes when I stumbled upon your post “Contained Raised Beds? NO WAY!” I have not left your blog since!
I am so impressed with the information I have found here, as well as how much you put into it. I appreciate how you respond so thoughtfully to your readers’ questions and comments. And of course I LOVE your “common sense” approach.”
“This is only my 3rd or 4th season (of gardening). (Because of TMG) I am literally years ahead of my time in terms of being an accomplished gardener! ”
“Your wonderful blog and the manner in which you handle explaining things in incremental steps is just amazing. I am on a steering committee for a local community garden effort and your blog will be my recommendation to anyone who gets involved.”
“I just found your site —- when I was checking for what to do with onions. I have never seen so much useful information in one place. — What a wonderful site! I learned more in just a few minutes than I have ever gotten elsewhere. Thank you!!!”
“Finding your site thanks to Diane’s flowers has helped continue my education but in a very easy manner. I’ve found that your experience has confirmed that heritage gardening does not have to be exhaustive but more fun. I find your thinking about gardening assured me that my “maybe I’ll just let nature do the work” is ok and now I’m learning why.”
“Just read your post on Garden diversity- as always excellent, thorough and you have this ability to give all the information one might need in a nutshell – keeping the reader engaged all through.”
“I wish I had found your blog years ago. It would have saved me lots of money spent on gardening books & magazines.”
“Even tho I am on the other side of the world and the seasons are reversed, your insight, knowledge and experience are so valuable to me as a starting out organic gardener.”
“I directly credit the MAJOR increase in productivity in my garden to you. —-(it) is amazing compared to how my garden used to operate.”
“I have learned invaluable lessons and methods from you, have found you to be very well researched, very well thought out, and very methodical. And so easy to learn from.”
“— you infuse encouragement and heart into your website and I greatly receive these gifts.”
” I read each post you write as though I am a sponge; sucking up every last word you write, and holding onto it tightly. … your philosophy on gardening is inspiring. I feel light years ahead of some of my friends who have been gardening for much longer than I, and it is all thanks to you and your easy to read, vital information.”
“I just read your post on using straw once sprayed with 2-4D. Then I read a few more snippets … I think I’m in love…just to find an organic gardener blogging in such a practical way.
It is a fact that we live in a world with more than a few undesirable chemicals infiltrating the world we live in, but we have to understand what will decompose, what is persistent, and how to proceed. … reading your commonsense words just made my day. ”
“I can’t imagine not having TMG for reference and inspiration. It’s one of the few sites I go back to every year for specifics — I hope everyone who reads here, in particular newer readers, understand just what gold is buried in (TMG’s) archives. There’s nowhere else to read some of the things I’ve learned here on TMG, and I’m in NO way overstating.”
” I think there are more people than you know who would love to garden with your ideas – they just don’t know it’s possible.”
“just a note to say thanks again for doing what you do…your gardening updates are like a welcomed letter from a distant relative or a long lost friend. I’ve been veg gardening for 40 years and I continue to use your site as a great reference! ”
“Your postings ALWAYS shed light in a slightly different way —. It’s like taking a walk around the garden with a favorite friend who can be relied on to share the truth.”
(I want) ” to tell you how much I enjoy your blog, your style of writing, the clarity of the information you provide and the very obvious expertise you have achieved.
Reading your blog and the information about your book has given me hope that I can try again (to garden), this time with much greater success and a lot less work.”
“Your information has always been the best out there. The style of your writing is informative but also interesting, honest and humorous at times. You always make me smile and want to get back out there and try something new.”
“Last fall I found TMG and purchased your book. I took to heart your wisdom and applied it to my garden. I added lots of leaves and organic matter. After I planted my garden and applied lots of mulch I have done nothing but harvest. My garden is not perfect but my family is eating, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, okra, cucumbers and swiss chard. That is a complete 180 (degrees) from the previous 2 years. Real soil works, mulch works! If you are a new reader to TMG …unplug from Big Food and the chemical marketing matrix!”
“I have finished your book and am so excited to get to work on preparing my vegetable garden — Your book is full of such great information and takes so much of the “mystery” of gardening out of the equation.”
“What I’ve learned here has proven to be a major life changing part of our lives over the past 5 years.”
“—and I love reading your posts and using them as my garden encyclopedia.”
“I finished reading your book! Thank you so much! It was well worth the price and the shipping! ” (This reader is from Japan and her shipping cost was $25)
“After discovering you and TMG several years ago, I’m happy to say this has changed the way I garden in many ways…and all for the better. You’ve made me think out of the box and question why I’m doing things the way I am, many times the changed behavior results in higher yield with less effort.”
“You have inspired and taught me so much over the years! I thank you most of all for removing the stress out of my garden activities.”
‘Those that have found you are very fortunate to discover how to garden in a healthful, less costly, natural way for us and planet earth.”
I am originally from Ukraina and I love to eat buckwheat, I am wondering how I can save seeds for food.
Alyona, I’ve never saved my buckwheat seed, but — yes — you certainly can. If you plant with your end goal being seed you’ll have to let it go to seed and then collect the seed. I am sure you could find much more detailed information with a few Google searches.
Hope this helps.
Thank you. 🙂
Hi Theresa,
Where do you order your buckwheat seed and how much do you order for spring/summer/fall planting. I have 2 garden spots now, each approximately 50’X50′.
We will be starting new garden areas as time allows, so will need more seed.
Thanks,
Betty
Betty, Most of the time I get cover crops from Pinetree. They are pretty reasonable and their shipping costs are less than other place I’ve seen.
Here’s the link to cut and past into your browser for their cover crops:https://www.superseeds.com/products.php?cat=139
Then select the buckwheat.
I use about 10 pounds or more —BUT — I plant other covers in addition to the buckwheat. My garden is about 40 x 60. So you have a little more than twice the space that I have.
Just something to think about Betty — but consider how you can get more out of the space you have rather than starting new beds. If I am understanding you correctly you already have about 5000 square feet in garden. I have about 2400 or maybe a little more.
Once your soil is great — you can plant intensively and get tons of stuff from 5,000 sq. ft.
Sometimes less can be more.
I always want more space but think to the future and sustainability and realistically how much I am able to keep.
Theresa
Thanks Theresa,
You are so right. We aren’t getting any younger so I will concentrate on improving the garden space we have for now, and see how it goes.
Our youngest son will be leaving for college next month and our grocery needs will be A LOT less. I don’t know where he puts all of that food!
Thanks again for taking the time to help us become successful at growing what we eat.
Betty
Theresa,
I am going to try buckwheat as a cover for the first time. I turned compost in the bed last week and plan on sowing the buckwheat next week. will it be ok to plant garlic in the same bed in October? can I just dig the holes right in among the buckwheat and plant the garlic?
I live in Northern Virginia, so the buckwheat should die off in the first frost, but if not I will cut it back.
thanks for all your great info.
Julie
Julie, we have both been thinking the exact same thing! Since I have more garlic than will fit in the space I’ve already prepared, I had thought to plant some buckwheat in various spots and plant the garlic right in with it – since as you pointed out the garlic will die off in the cold and the garlic will get the benefit from it.
I would sow the buckwheat as quickly as possible since the weather is so strange and you want some growth before the cold.
I like our plan Julie! I think it will work out just fine. We’ll compare notes next harvest.
Theresa
Hi,
I’ve been doing some research about buckwheat mostly eyeballing it as a weed control on a sometimes garden space at a friend’s acreage. There’s a few friends of theirs that plant there and I plan on being one of them this coming year, but they often have terrible weed problems. So I was thinking it might be a good thing to put down over the season on whichever parts of the plot we don’t use at a given time and start working on keeping down some of the weeds to make it easier for us! But I was wondering, everything I read says “mow it” and “turn it under”. Can it be mowed with a regular lawnmower? does it need to be buried such as with a rototiller or is there a less labor intensive alternative (especially in locations I would just replant with more buckwheat or another cover crop)? I don’t know the exact size of the garden but it’s not huge and there are no farm tractors, etc available. 😉 I was thinking for fall planting maybe something that would winter kill. One site recommended a combo of field peas and oats. Does that sound reasonable? We’re in western Michigan, by the way. Thanks!
Hi Anna D.
Glad you’re already looking ahead at how you can control weeds in the somewhat-community garden.
Between cover crops and mulch you should be able to keep things under control.
Buckwheat is an easy cover crops to work with, but it would not be my choice for weed control. Winter rye might be good if you’re still gardening there next fall. You could plant into the stubble the following season and there would be no need to turn it under.
I can tell by your questions that you are new to my site. (And welcome, by the way!)
I do everything by hand. No tilling. No mowing. I use a hand sickle to cut things like winter rye.
Most things, I plan for winter kill. I plant into the stubble of some cover crops. I can’t do anything that is labor intensive.
I leave all cover crop residue on top of the beds for the worms to pull down.
Field peas and oats are great combination to plant in the fall. The oats will winter kill and by spring you can use the bed.
It sounds as if you’ve done some good thinking on this Anna. Now just search my site for even more information and I think you’ll develop the perfect plan.
You can do a search for cover crops and read everything to find details that apply to your situation. Or you may want to start with the following posts:
http://tendingmygarden.com/cover-crops-ideas-to-help-you-make-the-choice/
http://tendingmygarden.com/cover-crops-your-purpose-determines-when-you-cut-or-incorporate-into-the-soil/
http://tendingmygarden.com/winter-rye-as-a-cover-crop-2-strategies/
I’d enjoy hearing your final plan and how you do with it.
Theresa
Theresa,
I am loving buckwheat this year! I only got one raised bed started last fall. And this spring, I managed to get one more bed double dug. I broadcast buckwheat on them both early in the season just to keep the weeds down until I had plants ready to set out. I also decided I would mark off one more bed, even though I didn’t have the time and energy to double dig it. I sowed buckwheat there. I am thinking that I can build that bed upwards over the course of a few growing seasons, rather than double digging. It will be interesting to compare the different beds.
I also wanted to ask if you think it would be as effective as digging the buckwheat in if I just chopped it down, left it on the ground, and covered it immediately with grass clippings. I thought I could do that, then come back and insert plants after a week or so. I am hoping to do that with cucumbers for sure. (Yes, I am late with cucumbers!)
-pat
Pat, sounds like you’re doing a great job! And yes, nature will prepare the bed for you if you have the time to wait. Double Digging just speeds up the great results.
Laying the cut buckwheat on top is just as good. Cover with dried grass clippings is good too. Worms will pull everything down for you.
I’m STILL planting cukes — so you’re not too late.
Theresa
I purchased a bag of organic Buckwheat late last year but read this too late so was too late to put it out. I’m eager to use it and wondered if there was any point in trying to sprinkle it in my beds early this season. I’m in Zone 5 in Ontario, Canada and the almanac says our last frost date is May 11, but most folks don’t plan to put anything out until June 1st because we just don’t trust the weather around here. I do plan on using hoops and covers for 4 out of my 5 beds this year to keep the white butterflies from laying eggs on everything, keeps the bunnies and birds off of my veggies, and as a shade cover. So my question then is, will the buckwheat survive if I put it out earlier under a Hoop Cover that protects the beds from frost or is it the cold buckwheat does’t like? I should mention my beds are raised beds in a cedar frame (2 feet high). If so, when would you suggest I put it out? I do purchase organic straw from a farm and wasn’t planning on putting it on right away on some of the beds as the instructions for some of my plants say to wait to do that. Would love to hear your thoughts. I do square foot gardening so am excited to hear that I could put some seeds down in any of the squares that I”m not using instead of waiting for the whole bed to be empty.
Good to hear from you again Michele and I’m glad to see you planning for the fast approaching growing season.
Freezing temperatures will kill buckwheat. I don’t know how many degrees difference it is under your hoop tunnels. Do a temperature reading if you can to see the difference. That way if temperature fall to 32 degrees and it’s 2 degrees warmer under the hoop tunnel you’ll probably be fine.
There are lots of ways you can try this. Since you have 5 beds — you could take a chance and try the buckwheat as early as May 11th under a hoop tunnel. Then you could plant more June 1st in another bed. Buckwheat goes from start to finish very quickly – about 6 weeks, so you’ll have the entire warm season to experiment.
And yes, I would definitely put seeds down in any of the squares that you’re not using instead of waiting. I think you’ll find that to be VERY successful in many ways.
One note about not putting mulch on. If you feel uncomfortable going against the instructions on the package — why not at least put a sprinkling of straw on the soil. Just enough to cover it and keep it soft and moist and keep the humus in rather than have it oxidize. Then as your plants grow you can add more and more for a nice deep layer.
I hope I have answered your questions. If you have more, just let me know. Keep up the good work, Michele.
Theresa
Thanks so much Theresa. I’ll let you know how I make out…Michele
Hi Theresa.
I’ve got a few hundred plants started indoors this past weekend including onions and my tomatoes. As I was planting these I started asking myself “is there any reason why I couldn’t plant buckwheat indoors in a flat” under lights? I have the blue lights and the red grow lights as well.
So before I started a flat of them indoors, I thought I’d ask the expert (that’s where you come in). Is there any reason why I couldn’t do this? My thinking was I could grow flats indoors as space permits and then bring them out to my tomato bed for one. Tomatoes won’t get planted outside until after the frost is gone, so I’ve got some time to plant indoors and work into the soil. I can control the temperature indoors mores than outdoors.
I’m guessing you’d grow these indoors like any other seed. Interested in your thoughts….Michele
What do you think? Would this work? If it would, is there anything I need to be aware of growing these inside.
I appreciate your vote of confidence Michele, but I don’t consider myself an “expert”.
And, I can only tell you common sense things, since I have not started buckwheat in flats indoors.
1. As far as – can it be done? I’m sure it probably can. There are lots of things that “can” be done that would not necessarily be in your best interest to do. That can only be determined by you.
Thus, give it a try and see if it works for you.
2. You do need to be aware that buckwheat will die with freezing temperatures, so you’ll want to wait until after all chance of frost and freeze has past before setting outside.
3. I personally always think of cover crops as being started outdoors. It would be too work intensive for my taste to start them inside, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
I hope you’ll report back and let me know how you do.
Theresa
I use buckwheat as a cover crop and food for flying creatures. It grows fine from organic buckwheat groats purchased at the local bulk food store. Not kasha the dark brown toasted ones, just the plain green/beige ones!
Good Morning Theresa,
Just wanted to give you an update. I FINALLY bought the buckwheat seed & had the 2 youngest Grandsons help me plant it August 1st. I’ve really enjoyed watching the pollinators as they sipped from the flowers while I’ve worked to eradicate an awful weed that just appeared in an area of our garden that hasn’t been properly prepared yet. Alfred said it grows on the riverbanks (we live just over a hill from the James River), so I’m assuming some of the seed must have been on an animal’s feet and dropped onto the garden soil before we fenced it. I dug all of the root that I could get out & mulched with newspaper covered with leaves. I will be on the lookout for any strays that pop up.
Back to the buckwheat, since Monday will be the 35th day & we’ll all be away for the holiday, I’m planning on having the grandsons helping me cut the buckwheat & cover it with a mulch of leaves when they get off of the bus today.
I’m also hoping to double dig where we just harvested potatoes and seed some buckwheat there today. We have mice or voles who really enjoyed our potatoes! We only harvested a couple of the regular ones, enough of the reds for a couple of dishes of your dilled potato salad which was a HUGE winner with everyone who tasted it, plus a couple of dishes of mashed potatoes and only about 6 or 7 of the blue potatoes. We were so disappointed. I guess we’ll try to trap some in that area this winter because I also want to plant lettuce there & remember your solution for keeping their numbers down.
Thanks again for sharing so much to help so many become more self sufficient. We’re walking that way more every day – Thanks to you.
Praying your day will be a good one,
Betty
Theresa
I have cross referenced several of your cover crop articles. I too had an attack of harlequin bugs this year that devastated my collards crept under the row covers and ,like you, ate my red Russian kale. So here’s the rub; several references suggest that those pests winter over under leaf litter so I pulled up all of my lovely already mulch like straw to put down well composted leaves. Any thoughts on this? Plant cover crops over top? Too late for cover cropping? I’m in zone 6b.
I have also tried buckwheat for the first time this year. I planted it in between the rows of garlic two weeks ago. It’s an experiment.
Always enjoy your articles. Thanks.