The incredible benefits of buckwheat husks in the garden

Buckwheat husk is a valuable material for growing plants. It is inexpensive, but the results of its use impress even experienced gardeners. The properties of husks make it a universal tool for accelerating the growth and development of agricultural crops, increasing productivity and reducing manual labor costs.

Beneficial properties of buckwheat husk

Buckwheat husk, or husk, is buckwheat waste that is formed after processing at cereal factories. These are hollow, light shells of buckwheat grains. They are dark brown in color and have a distinct, specific buckwheat smell.

In the photo - buckwheat husk.

The use of husks in agriculture is explained by its valuable properties:

1. Due to its organic origin and rich chemical composition, the husk is an effective fertilizer.
2. The decomposition of buckwheat husk is accompanied by an alkaline reaction, which helps neutralize acidic soils and increase their fertility.
3. The size and structure of the husk allows it to be used to loosen heavy soils, making them lighter and more breathable.
4. Husks are an excellent material for mulching.

Buckwheat is processed at high temperatures, which completely disinfects the husk from pathogens of viral, fungal and bacterial diseases, as well as from insect eggs.

What are the advantages of using fertilizers and soil fertilizers made from buckwheat husks?

The advantages of using husks are obvious. This material:

• inexpensive and accessible, especially in regions where buckwheat is grown and processed;
• easy to deliver;
• has undergone heat treatment, therefore does not contain fungi, bacteria, viruses, pests and is safe for soil and plants;
• easy to use;
• effective.

To obtain a noticeable result over large areas, a significant amount of material is required.

What plants is it suitable for?

Adding buckwheat hulls to the soil, as well as fertilizers and fertilizers made on its basis, is useful when growing crops:

• almost all ornamental flowers and shrubs (zinnia, cineraria, etc.);
• vegetables - tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, etc.;
• fruits and berries - raspberries, strawberries, currants.

Buckwheat husk fertilizers have a beneficial effect on various crops grown at home, in greenhouses and in open ground. Buckwheat husk is especially useful for plants that do not like acidic soils.

Attention! Use buckwheat hulls with caution for plants that prefer acidic soils.

The use of buckwheat husks in the garden

Experienced farmers have long been experimenting with organic waste, using it to improve the soil and growing conditions for plants. Husks are used in the garden in the following ways:

• For mulching;
• as fertilizers;
• for application into the soil;
• composting.

Due to its hardness and long decomposition period, buckwheat husk is not advisable to use for preparing fertilizing infusions and solutions.

Mulching

As a mulching layer, buckwheat husks have numerous beneficial properties:

• well ventilated without interfering with air access to plant roots;
• perfectly retains moisture in the soil, reducing its evaporation from the surface;
• reduces daily temperature fluctuations;
• helps warm the soil in cold weather,
• protects against overheating in hot climates;
• saves the underground parts of perennial plants (roots, buds) from winter cold;
• inhibits weed germination;
• prevents the formation of crust on the soil surface.

An additional effect is decorative: a layer of husk covers the bare ground and gives the plantings a natural and at the same time well-groomed appearance.

The listed qualities have a positive effect on soil fertility, growth and development of cultivated plants. The labor and time costs for processing plantings are significantly reduced.

Depending on the amount of material and the purpose of its use, mulching with husks is carried out in the following ways:

• continuous coverage of large areas of land;
• interrow;
• spot.

To create a mulch layer, it is enough to place a layer of husk 2-3 cm thick on a selected area of ​​soil.

The disadvantages of husk as a mulch layer include its lightness and “volatility”. It is best to use this material when growing plants in protected soil (greenhouses, greenhouses). In open areas, even with a little wind or rain, most of the coating will fly away or wash away.

Attention. Buckwheat hulls are an excellent insulator, keeping the soil in the same condition as it was during mulching. It is recommended to cover the soil with it when the soil surface is most suitable for active plant growth, that is, warm and moist.

As a fertilizer

Experts value buckwheat husks as an alkaline potassium fertilizer that nourishes the soil and reduces its acidity. Husks also have other beneficial properties.

Its chemical composition includes ash (1.49%), containing the following elements and compounds:

• phosphorus – 0.036%;
• iron oxide – 1.3%;
• calcium oxide – 50.04%;
• potassium oxide – 19.7%%
• sodium oxide – 3.91%;
• magnesium oxide – 3.1%;

And although the husk contains significantly less useful components than grains, for many agricultural plants this amount is quite enough.

Based on this natural material, modern complex slow-acting fertilizers have been developed, providing:

• active plant growth, especially at the beginning of development;
• increasing the stress resistance of heat-loving crops.

To increase soil fertility, it is not necessary to buy ready-made fertilizers. Affordable and inexpensive husks will do the job perfectly.

The main ways to use this fertilizer:

• application to the soil when digging it in spring and autumn or directly into planting holes before planting;
• composting together with other organic residues and further use in compost;
• embedding in the top layer of soil around plants.

Read also:

How to properly mulch tomatoes in a greenhouse.

What to do if carrots don’t grow: what is the best way to feed them.

Application to the soil

Adding buckwheat husks to the ground while digging has a beneficial effect on its composition and structure:

• heavy clay soils become more loose (“fluffy”) and air-intensive;
• In sandy soil, due to the binding properties of the husk, the moisture capacity increases.

Additional benefits of adding husks to the ground:

• enrichment with mineral elements and organic compounds;
• release of natural growth stimulants as a result of the decomposition of organic components, which makes useful substances in the substrate more accessible to plants;
• prevention of many diseases that develop due to poor soil quality;
• creating a nutrient medium for earthworms that actively process the soil and make it more fertile and loose.

Relatively small volumes of soil mixtures using husks (for example, for seedlings or potted crops) are prepared in a ratio of 75% peat and 25% husks.

Reference. Scientists have proven that adding husks to the soil when growing tomatoes increases their yield by an average of 11% and increases resistance to diseases.

Composting

A great way to get nutritious soil, which is consumed as needed:

• For feeding;
• mulching;
• growing seedlings and especially valuable crops.

For composting, buckwheat husks and other organic waste (grass, leaves, plant debris, etc.) are placed in a large container, arranged in layers 10 cm thick and covered with earth. It is better to keep the container in the shade.

The compost is watered periodically - it is important to keep it moist. It is useful to add compounds and preparations that stimulate decomposition processes. During decomposition, the mass decreases in volume, which makes it possible to gradually enrich the compost with organic materials. It will be completely ready in 2-3 years, depending on the climate and weather conditions.

Reference. If the husks are used as the main material for compost, manure or litter is added to the husks to replenish the nitrogen. When the husk decomposes, it is consumed in large quantities.

Tips and tricks from experienced gardeners

Buckwheat husk is becoming increasingly popular among experienced gardeners. It is used both in pure form and in combination with other fertilizers:

1. Plowing husks together with green manure will help increase soil fertility.
2. The specific buckwheat smell characteristic of husks drives away the cabbage fly. To get rid of the insect, it is enough to mulch the cabbage plantings with husks.
3. Buckwheat husk is dense and moisture-absorbing. It is important to take this into account when watering plants mulched with it. Moisture will penetrate into the ground only if the husks are thoroughly watered, otherwise the ground under the mulch will remain dry.

Read also:

What does the body lack if you constantly crave buckwheat?

How to properly spend a fasting day on buckwheat and kefir.

The benefits and harms of buckwheat for human health.

Conclusion

Buckwheat husk is a universal material for agricultural work, in demand among experienced gardeners and gardeners. It is beneficial for growing most crops and is used in any climatic conditions. Husks are inexpensive, facilitate the manual labor of farmers, and the methods of using them are varied.

Reviews about husks are unanimous: its use in agriculture increases soil fertility and activates the growth and development of agricultural crops.