Buckwheat: The Fast Cover Crop That Chokes Out Weeds

Buckwheat is one of the fastest and easiest ways to improve soil and control weeds. It grows quickly, doesn’t need pampering, and does the hard work for you.

What Buckwheat Is

Buckwheat is an annual plant that is not a true wheat. It’s most often grown as a cover crop rather than a food crop, and it’s valued for how quickly it improves tired or overgrown garden beds.

Why Grow Buckwheat

Weed Suppression

Buckwheat germinates in just a few days and grows thick and leafy. As it spreads, it shades the soil and blocks sunlight, which prevents weeds from getting established.

Soil Improvement

Buckwheat helps loosen compacted soil and adds organic matter when it’s cut down. It also helps make certain nutrients more available for future crops, improving overall soil health.

Pollinator Support

When buckwheat flowers, it attracts bees and beneficial insects. This makes it a great companion plant for improving the overall balance of your garden.

When to Plant Buckwheat

Buckwheat is planted from late spring through summer, once the soil has warmed. It’s perfect for empty beds, problem areas, or spaces you don’t plan to plant right away.

How to Plant Buckwheat

Seeds can be broadcast directly onto the soil and lightly raked in. Water gently, and that’s it — no spacing or precision planting required.

How Long Buckwheat Grows

Buckwheat grows fast, usually reaching maturity in about thirty to forty-five days. It flowers quickly and should be cut down before seeds fully mature unless you want it to reseed itself.

What to Do When Buckwheat Is Done

You can cut buckwheat at the base and leave it on the soil as mulch, or lightly work it into the soil. Either method adds organic matter and improves the bed for the next planting.

Can You Eat Buckwheat?

Yes, buckwheat seeds are edible and naturally gluten-free. However, garden-grown buckwheat is usually grown for soil improvement rather than food.

Edible buckwheat requires harvesting and processing into groats or flour, so most home gardeners treat buckwheat as a soil tool, not a kitchen crop.

Angry Housewives Tip

Buckwheat is what you plant when you’re done fighting weeds and ready to outsmart them.

Safety Note: I am NOT a medical professional. Please research ingredients, check for allergies, and confirm pet safety. Use gently and at your discretion.

How to Grow Baby Spinach Like a Boss

There’s nothing like walking out to your garden and snipping a handful of tender baby spinach leaves for a fresh salad, sandwich, or sauté. Baby spinach is one of the easiest and quickest greens you can grow, even if you’re new to gardening or working with limited space. Whether you're planting in a raised bed, a few pots, or straight in the ground, here's everything you need to know to grow your own lush patch of baby spinach next season.

When to Plant Baby Spinach

Spinach is a cool-weather crop that thrives in spring and fall. You’ll want to plant it as soon as the soil is workable — that’s usually 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. In West Virginia, that means sometime in March or early April. You can also get a second crop in the fall by planting in late August to early September.

Don’t wait too long though — spinach hates heat. Once the temps hit the 80s, it starts to bolt (go to seed), and the leaves get bitter. So plant early, or wait until late summer when things cool down again.

How to Plant It

• Soil: Loose, rich soil with good drainage. Add compost or aged manure if you have it.
• Spacing: For baby spinach, sow the seeds about 1/2 inch apart. No need to thin heavily — you’re harvesting the whole baby leaves, not letting them grow full-size.
• Depth: Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep. Cover lightly with soil and pat it down.
• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination (which takes about 7–10 days).

Fertilizing Tips

If your soil is rich, spinach won’t need much help. But if you're planting in poor soil or reused potting mix, give it a little boost. A balanced organic fertilizer (like 10-10-10) or fish emulsion works great. Don’t overdo it — spinach is a light feeder. Just one feeding about 2–3 weeks after sprouting is usually enough for baby spinach.

Dealing with Pests (Because the Bugs Always Show Up)

Luckily, spinach doesn’t get hammered by pests the way other garden plants do, but you might run into:

• Aphids: Spray them off with a strong blast of water or hit 'em with a little neem oil.
• Leaf miners: These guys burrow into the leaves. Just remove and toss any affected leaves — don’t compost them.
• Slugs: A shallow dish of beer will attract and drown them (cheers!), or sprinkle crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around your plants.

How Long Does It Take to Grow?

Baby spinach grows fast. You can usually start harvesting in about 25 to 35 days. That’s right — less than a month, and you’ll be stuffing your face with fresh greens.

If you're going for that tender, baby-leaf texture, just snip the outer leaves with scissors once they reach 2 to 4 inches long. Or you can harvest the whole plant by cutting it just above the soil line — and if it’s early enough in the season, you might even get a second round of growth.

Pro Tips for a Better Harvest

• Succession Plant: Sow a new batch every 2 weeks to keep a steady supply coming.
• Partial Shade Helps: Especially as the weather warms — a little afternoon shade can help prevent bolting.
• Use Row Covers: These help with early planting, bug protection, and heat control.

Why Grow It Yourself?

Store-bought baby spinach wilts fast and comes in a plastic box. When you grow your own, you get crispy-fresh, chemical-free greens whenever you want — and your salads will taste like a whole new experience. Plus, it’s just plain satisfying to know your hands grew that meal.

So next spring, don’t forget to throw a handful of spinach seeds into your garden plan. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it makes you feel like a badass homemaker with a green thumb. You got this, mama. 🐔🌿✨