This area of NYS, most particularly just north of Amsterdam and west of
Utica was the 'capital' of US buckwheat production during the 19th century.
The area matched buckwheat's optimum growing conditions and was reasonably
close to the population center where it was most in demand...New York City.

For the 'old' variety, maximum seed production (and resulting nectar) was
achieved with an acid soil, warm days, and cool nights.  This area, the
foothills of the Adirondacks, met those conditions and buckwheat honey was
harvested by the carload!  In fact, one of our pioneer beekeepers, Moses
Quinby, had many hives in the area.

Today the closest area that grows lots of buckwheat is in Quebec, Canada, in
the area of the Laurentian mountains (which are an extension of the
Adirondacks).  But mills in Penn Yann still seek out sources and within the
past five years one mill was offering to provide 'free' seed to farmers
willing to plant a crop.  (Actually, the seed was provided on credit,
payable when the crop was delivered.)  They may yet be offering such terms.

I have long understood that when buckwheat blooms but fails to yield nectar
it is  most often because the night temperatures exceed 80 degrees.  I have
no idea whether this is true, but I do note that the areas where buckwheat
honey is reliable are those areas with cool nights.

Lloyd
Lloyd Spear, Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacturers of Ross Rounds Comb
Honey Equipment, Sundance Pollen Traps
and Custom Printer of Sundance Labels.

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