Post by MikeH on Apr 28, 2014 8:06:23 GMT -5
Anyone growing perennial buckwheat? I tried some in 2012 which was a terrible drought summer for us. It got to seed but an early frost killed it and I only got three viable seeds. None of it overwintered. I think all the energy went to seed production and little or none to root production. I didn't grow any in 2013 but I will again this year but only in rooter pots that I'll overwinter in the coldroom before I plant out next year. Some I will let go to seed in order to increase my seed supply and some I will pinch out the flowers so that energy goes to the roots in hopes that sufficient root mass will develop to allow overwintering. I'll also winter mulch as well again to help the roots overwinter. If I can establish enough deep root mass, perhaps they will overwinter without assistance.
I think that root depth might be the key to overwintering. I've seen our native grasses - Indian grass and big bluestem - do very poorly from year to year until the roots start to establish. It's taken three years for our plantings to start to resemble plants I've seen growing in restored tall grass savannahs near us.
I think that root depth might be the key to overwintering. I've seen our native grasses - Indian grass and big bluestem - do very poorly from year to year until the roots start to establish. It's taken three years for our plantings to start to resemble plants I've seen growing in restored tall grass savannahs near us.