Satilla

Family: Polygonaceae Grain

Satilla buckwheat arrives with a gentle, honeyed fragrance and a soft, feathery bloom that makes the field feel alive.

The seed develops in tidy, upright clusters, offering a fine, earthy flavor with a pleasantly nutty character and a clean, quick-cooking texture when used as a grain. Grow Satilla for a versatile harvest and a dependable cover—its vigorous growth and abundant blossoms make it a standout in the garden and on the farm alike.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Satilla buckwheat is tuned for the bowl: it cooks fast, stays tender, and keeps that soft nut-honey aroma rather than going muddy. Use it where you want a clean, earthy chew that won’t steal the show from butter, mushrooms, or a bright hit of lemon.

Best Uses

buckwheat hot cereal or porridge where it cooks up tender without turning gritty
quick-cooking buckwheat grains for grain bowls—holds a light bite under dressing
buckwheat pilaf with aromatics and butter to lean into the nutty aroma
buckwheat groats for soups where it thickens gently without getting gluey

Flavor Profile

gentle honeyed fragrance clean, quick-cooking nuttiness fine earthy undertone soft, feather-light grain texture after boiling

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter lemon feta mushrooms sage wild honey

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat), and how can I treat it?

In buckwheat, one common issue is fungal leaf spot and blight that show up as dark, spreading spots during humid weather. Remove badly spotted leaves, avoid overhead watering, and improve airflow by not crowding plants. If the problem spreads quickly, use a labeled copper-based fungicide and reapply according to the label at 7–10 day intervals during wet periods.

How often should I water Fagopyrum esculentum during active growth (around the 30–70 day period)?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist while plants are establishing and flowering, aiming for a damp-but-not-soggy surface. Water about 1 inch per week total (split into 1–2 waterings) if rainfall is insufficient, and reduce frequency if the soil stays wet or water puddles. The top 1–2 inches should dry slightly between waterings to prevent stress and disease.

How do I know when Fagopyrum esculentum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when most seeds (at the top and along the plant) have turned dark and dry, while a smaller portion near the bottom may still be lighter. For best dry-down, cut the plants when plants are mostly brown and the seed heads feel crisp, then dry further in a well-ventilated area until seeds rattle in the hulls. In general, this occurs around 90 days, but go by seed color and dryness rather than the calendar.