Sunhemp and buckwheat

[DiSc0Rd]

I know we are just put off buckwheat season and on to brassica and rye but I'm having a neck of a time finding sun hemp seed near me. Even had a buddy by st Louis call around and same. So 2 questions
1. Is there anyone around central IL that you guys can recommend to buy it from
2. When do you normally plant the hemp and buckwheat? Is rye always the spring crop?

I guess that's 3 questions. Oh well...

 

[scott44]

I've bought mine from Hancock's because they have free shipping on the sun hemp.

https://hancockseed.com/search?type=product&q=sunn

I believe the soil needs to be at least 60deg for sunn hemp so it's usually around memorial day here.

 

[yoderjac]

I purchased mine from handcock a couple years ago when they had free shipping on 50 pound bags with the discounted per-pound price. I noticed last year that they stopped the free shipping on 50 pound bags. I went to the local coop. The had to order it for me, but it was the same price as handcock when shipping was considered, so I bought it locally.

Germination temps are for soil temp, not air temp. Both sunn hemp and buckwheat will germinate and lower soil temps, but they languish. The optimal soil temp for Busckwheat is 80 degrees. I won't plant them until our soil temps hit at least 65 degrees. You can buy a soil thermometer very inexpensively and it one of my most important tools. Soil temp is taken about 08:00 am before the sun has warmed up the soil for the day.

Winter Rye is typically planted in the fall. Overwintering is necessary for it to develop seed heads. Spring oats tend to be the cereal grain most folks plant in the spring.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Rit]

https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature

I use this for soil temps.

I added 3 lbs an acre to a fall mix planted in early August. I cannot find any that’s not nipped off. Next year I’ll be planting Spring and Fall at a higher rate. How much Sunn Hemp are you looking for?

 

[DiSc0Rd]

https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature

I use this for soil temps.

I added 3 lbs an acre to a fall mix planted in early August. I cannot find any that’s not nipped off. Next year I’ll be planting Spring and Fall at a higher rate. How much Sunn Hemp are you looking for?
View attachment 31841

I'm playing with a few spots that total about 5.5 acres over my place. I want to mix the buckwheat and hemp 50/50 so thinking about 200# each. A ton of my buckwheat didn't come up this year but it was so dry and we didn't even roll it as our roller broke. I'll lime early Feb to try and help my ph and lime again late Aug b4 the rye and brassica go on

 

[yoderjac]

https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature

I use this for soil temps.

I added 3 lbs an acre to a fall mix planted in early August. I cannot find any that’s not nipped off. Next year I’ll be planting Spring and Fall at a higher rate. How much Sunn Hemp are you looking for?
View attachment 31841

Those maps get you in the right ball park, but they are general averages. I've seen over 5 degree soil temp differences between different fields. Orientation and ground cover can make a big difference. If you are planting in the middle of the soil temp range for the particular crop, the maps probably work well. But if you are getting near the edge of the temp range, you can't beat a soil thermometer.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

The only way I could get soil over 80 is if it tilled.

 

[Rit]

Those maps get you in the right ball park, but they are general averages. I've seen over 5 degree soil temp differences between different fields. Orientation and ground cover can make a big difference. If you are planting in the middle of the soil temp range for the particular crop, the maps probably work well. But if you are getting near the edge of the temp range, you can't beat a soil thermometer.

Thanks,

Jack

Don’t tell my buckwheat, Sunn hemp, or switchgrass that I use a quick and convenient method to get in the ball park they may be disappointed.

 

[yoderjac]

The only way I could get soil over 80 is if it tilled.

Don’t tell my buckwheat, Sunn hemp, or switchgrass that I use a quick and convenient method to get in the ball park they may be disappointed.

Keep in mind that buckwheat will germinate at temps as low as 45 degrees. 80 degrees is optimal, but you don't need to get anywhere near 80 to have a great crop. I'm far enough south that I'm on the ratty edge of being able to double crop buckwheat. I did it for a number of years but stopped. I realized that the first crop, which I had to plant with soil temps between 55 and 60 degrees germinated ok but was lethargic and small compared to the second crop with germinated great and was vigorous. I realized that down here, I could add crimson clover to a fall plant and it would bounce back in the spring and fill the same notch as the first buckwheat crop. I typically want to see 65 degrees or better for buckwheat.

Some crops like buckwheat have a wide planting window and a wide window for soil temps. If you are shooting for the middle of a large range, the maps work fine. They are not available in all areas but are prevalent in big ag country. For other crops that have a narrower range of soil temps and smaller planting windows, the maps can be off enough that when you shoot for a narrow range you may not hit it.

Buckwheat and sunn hemp are some of the most forgiving crops you can plant for warm season annuals.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[goatman]

Welters usually has it but it's not showing any now. Maybe a seasonal thing.