What month do you plant alfalfa?
Planting methods for successful alfalfa establishment
- Site selection. Alfalfa does well on well-drained soil rather than wet, heavy clay soils and requires good soil pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.0.
- Seeding rate. For pure alfalfa stands, 18 to 20 pounds per acre should be planted. ...
- Weed control. ...
- Conventional planting. ...
- No-till planting. ...
Should we allow alfalfa to bloom?
Unless growing alfalfa as hay for livestock, allow it to grow until crops are ready to be planted or its purple blooms appear, at which time you can simply mow it down and till it into the soil or leave it. The alfalfa shoots will breakdown.
When can you plant alfalfa?
You can grow alfalfa with these tips in mind:
- Alfalfa seed requires well-drained soil for optimal production. ...
- It is important to remember to collect soil samples before planting to determine the pH and nutritional status of the field.
- The preparation of the bed is a fundamental step to guarantee the good germination of the alfalfa seed. ...
When to mow alfalfa?
When and How to Harvest Alfalfa
- When to Cut Alfalfa. There have been various ways used over the years to tell when to cut alfalfa, such as cutting at the bud stage, or at 10% bloom ...
- Signs of Quality Alfalfa. ...
- Cutting Alfalfa. ...
- Alfalfa Drying Aids. ...
- Stimulate Alfalfa Regrowth. ...
- Early Alfalfa Cuttings. ...
- Late Alfalfa Cuttings. ...
- Grow Your Own Alfalfa Seed. ...
See more
How long does it take for alfalfa to grow?
When does alfalfa produce flowers?
Why is alfalfa important to farmers?
When does alfalfa bloom?
Where did alfalfa come from?
What animals eat alfalfa?
See more
About this website
How fast does alfalfa grass grow?
Harvesting of alfalfa hay typically occurs approximately 60 days after germination with a spring sowing. Under ideal conditions, as many as three harvests can be made in one season if the growing season is long enough.
How much does alfalfa grow per day?
Daily evapotranspiration of alfalfa is small, generally between 0.05 and 0.1 inches per day, at the start of the crop growing season, which varies depending on climate characteristics, increases with time of year to maximum values between 0.3 and 0.4 inches per day in June/July, and then decreases to small values at ...
How long does it take alfalfa to grow to harvest?
between 60 and 70 daysAlfalfa will generally reach this stage of development between 60 and 70 days after emergence. The second harvest should either be made before September 1, to ensure an adequate buildup of energy reserves for winter, or be delayed until after the first killing frost (24 degree F) in the fall or after mid-October.
What month do you plant alfalfa?
Spring alfalfa should be planted from early April to early May. The month of choice for planting spring alfalfa is April. The crop can be planted into May in irrigated situations. While planting alfalfa in the fall increases the amount of forage produced the first year, planting alfalfa in the spring is less risky.
Does alfalfa require a lot of water?
Alfalfa is a relatively drought tolerant, deep rooted perennial crop with relatively high water use requirement.
Will alfalfa reseed itself?
Alfalfa is a crop that naturally tends to lessen its density over time because alfalfa doesn't reseed itself. Planting more alfalfa into current alfalfa fields is not recommended since alfalfa has autotoxicity characteristics. A good population/density is about 35 well-growing stems per square foot.
Does alfalfa regrow after cutting?
Alfalfa takes about 40 days to develop the ability to regrow from the crown after cutting. Plants cut before this point need at least one set of leaves remaining to regrow.
Can you cut alfalfa the first year?
These first harvest recommendations may be earlier than some folks like to cut. However, after this early cutting the regrowth of seedling alfalfa will become more similar to established alfalfa, giving you the opportunity for two or three cuts the first year. And, it helps control many weeds as well.
How many bales of alfalfa can you get per acre?
You should get 150 to 200 bales per acre with Alfalfa/orchard grass.
How many years does alfalfa last?
Alfalfa can remain productive in stands from four to ten years or more, but as plant population declines renovation eventually becomes necessary.
Is alfalfa good for deer?
Alfalfa for deer “food” plots In truth, alfalfa has been used as a forage for deer, especially during the summer months. It is a highly digestible fiber and contains a tremendous amount of fiber, making them palatable for deer.
Can you mix clover and alfalfa?
ADDED NUTRITION: Overseeding an alfalfa field with frosty berseem clover can increase the nutritional value and yield of hay. Frosty berseem clover mixed with alfalfa can boost yields of hay by almost 30%.
How long does it take for a sage plant to sprout?
Use about ¼ pound of seeds per 25 square feet and space rows about 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.). You should begin to see sprouts within seven to ten days.
Can alfalfa grow in too much moisture?
In fact, too much moisture can lead to mold growth. When growing alfalfa, choose an area with plenty of full sun. Also look for a well-draining area with a soil pH level between 6.8 and 7.5. Prior to planting you should clean the area, work the soil, and remove any debris.
Is alfalfa a perennial?
Alfalfa is a cool-season perennial commonly grown for feeding livestock or as a cover crop and soil conditioner. Alfalfa is highly nutritious and a natural source of nitrogen. It’s ideal for improving the soil and providing erosion control. Alfalfa’s extensive root system nourishes both plants and soil. The alfalfa plant has been cultivated ...
Can you grow alfalfa in the ground?
Unless growing alfalfa as hay for livestock, allow it to grow until crops are ready to be planted or its purple blooms appear, at which time you can simply mow it down and till it into the soil or leave it. The alfalfa shoots will breakdown.
Can you cut alfalfa in the rain?
Harvesting in this early-bloom stage also ensures the most optimal nutrient percentages, which is often found in the plant’s leaves. Do not cut alfalfa if rain is imminent, as this can damage the crop. Rainy weather can lead to issues with mold.
Is alfalfa easy to grow?
The alfalfa plant has been cultivated for generations and growing alfalfa in your garden is easy. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow alfalfa.
Does alfalfa hay have mold?
Rainy weather can lead to issues with mold. Quality alfalfa hay should possess good green color and leafiness as well as a pleasant aroma and thin, pliable stems. Once harvested, the ground will need to be turned before next season’s planting takes place.
Quick Care Guide
Growing alfalfa for chop and drop composting or livestock is easy! Source: KSRE
All About Alfalfa
Medicago sativa is also known as lucerne but commonly goes by the name of alfalfa. It is a perennial legume that is native to southwest Asia but is now cultivated worldwide for fodder, to improve the soil, and as a food source for pollinators. It is well suited as a cover crop and as an additive to compost since it is nutrient-rich.
Planting Alfalfa
Alfalfa prefers cooler weather, so the best time of year to plant seeds is in the spring. If you live in a warmer climate, you would benefit from fall planting. Choose and prepare an area in full sun. Clear away debris and work the dirt after the last frost in the spring. Alfalfa prefers well-drained soil with a neutral pH.
Troubleshooting
A good-sized alfalfa field can provide a surprising amount of feed. Source: KSRE Photo
Frequently Asked Questions
Alfalfa flowers can be purple, pinkish, white or even yellow. Source: el chego
How long does it take for Alfalfa to grow?
The first cutting of a new stand should be delayed until the plants are strong and vigorous and have a good root system, generally 70 to 90 days after germination for a spring seeding. Also, in the North the first cutting should not be made at an early stage of growth or the plants will be injured from low food reserves.
How to stimulate Alfalfa regrowth?
Stimulate Alfalfa Regrowth. If the soil needs any nitrogen, a nitrate-containing fertilizer can be topdressed at a low rate after a cutting to stimulate regrowth. Fertilizers containing ammonium nitrogen should not be used because ammonium will stimulate early flowering rather than vegetative growth (leaves and stems).
What is the best way to produce high quality seed?
To produce high quality seed, the soil needs a higher level of ammonium nitrogen (after the plants have attained some growth) and an adequate level of manganese. Bees are also necessary for legume seed production (not grasses).
How to cut alfalfa?
Cutting Alfalfa. Cutting should be done with a sickle-bar or cutter-bar mower, which gives a good, clean cut to the stems. High quality hay will dry quickly and does not need to be crushed or crimped; in fact, this torture treatment can cause loss of nutrients from the crushed tissues.
Can you use a spray to dry alfalfa?
Alfalfa Drying Aids. If you want to speed drying, there are sprays that can be used. Some are designed for poor quality forage and are basically a salt solution, but there are also ways of speeding drying and increasing the feed value of hay by spraying a carbohydrate solution before cutting.
Can you cut alfalfa with a knife?
You won’t get as many cuttings as your neighbor does, but you will get far superior quality feed and probably as good or better total yields. If you cut open several stems with a knife, you may begin to see the growth of “solid stem alfalfa,” in which the entire stem is filled with succulent cells, not air.
Does hay dry quickly after cutting?
Good quality hay will dry rapidly after cutting (because its cells contain more minerals and nutrients and less water) and can even be baled so wet that ordinary hay would heat up and burn the barn down. Will Winter: Pasture, the Profit Maker, from the 2006 Eco-Ag Conference and Trade Show (53 minutes, 51 seconds).
What is the pH of alfalfa?
Have soil test results in hand well before planting alfalfa. Make sure the soil pH is okay. This means a pH above 6.0 and, for a beginning stand, above 6.5. Lime is expensive. If you have an acidic soil and can't afford to lime, don't plant alfalfa.
What is a good seedbed for alfalfa?
A good alfalfa seedbed is one that makes you want to bring friends to the field and say, "I did that.". If your seedbed is not that good, don't plant alfalfa. Use a drill to plant. Do not broadcast seed and till it in. If you can't use a drill, don't plant alfalfa.
What is the common mistake of alfalfa?
Common Mistake Number 1: Site selection. Alfalfa does not do well on hilly ground, rocky ground, shallow soils, eroded soils, etc. Ride along the highway and look at the fields where alfalfa is thriving; it is almost always on a level, bottomland site that is free of potholes.
Is alfalfa profitable?
While alfalfa can be very profitable, there are some common mistakes that can take you from profitability to loss quickly. Following are some of the most common mistakes I see new alfalfa growers make. If you can avoid these mistakes, you have a good chance to be on the profit side of the ledger rather than in the hole.
Can you plant Alfalfa without a seed?
Alfalfa requires a good seedbed. It can be planted no-till by an experienced producer, but probably not by someone not well acquainted with no-till. If you fall into the latter category, prepare a good seedbed that is firm, smooth and free of large clods.
Can you plant alfalfa in acidic soil?
If you have an acidic soil and can't afford to lime, don't plant alfalfa. Alfalfa requires high amounts of P and K, both for crop growth and for replacement of what is removed in the hay. If you can't afford to fertilize a lot, don't plant alfalfa.
Do you need to use lime for alfalfa?
Soil pH indicated that you do or do not need to lime. The amount of lime needed and frequency are based on the buffer of the soil. You should not need N for alfalfa if proper inoculant is used.
Where do alfalfa shoots come from?
Alfalfa growth in the spring is primarily from crown buds and depends on temperature and available root energy reserves. Shoot growth after the first harvest originates from both crown and axillary buds. When alfalfa is cut very short (1-inch or less) most of the axillary buds are removed and new shoots must come from the crown buds. In a field study Wolf and Blaser (1981) reported that stems originating from axillary buds contributed less to the yield of alfalfa than stems originating from crown buds. The total number of stems that develop from either axillary or crown buds is variable but is dependent on developmental stages at the time of harvest, health of the crown, cutting height, and other environmental factors.
When to increase alfalfa cutting height?
Fall Cutting Height of Alfalfa. When harvesting alfalfa in the fall, increased cutting heights may be warranted for the purpose of catching snow. Longer stubble catches snow and may help keep the snow cover for a longer period of time.
What happens when you cut alfalfa short?
When alfalfa is cut very short (1-inch or less) most of the axillary buds are removed and new shoots must come from the crown buds. In a field study Wolf and Blaser (1981) reported that stems originating from axillary buds contributed less to the yield of alfalfa than stems originating from crown buds.
Why do alfalfa plants leave stubble?
One of the reasons for leaving taller stubble is to improve the quality of the forage harvested. The lowest sections of the alfalfa plant are typically higher in fiber and have fewer high quality leaves present. If growers raise their cutting height to leave these high fiber basal stem sections in the field, they may increase forage quality. This change in quality would most likely be greatest for spring growth alfalfa since the proportion of stems to leaves is highest at this time.
What happens when alfalfa is low in carbohydrate?
When carbohydrate reserves are low, energy for stem regrowth is low and results in poor plant recovery after harvest. Cutting height research shows that early plant decline or death does not occur for alfalfa when proper crop management practices are used.
Is Alfalfa good for cutting height?
Alfalfa Yield and Cutting Height. Research indicates that dry matter yields and nutrient yields are higher for shorter cutting heights as compared to leaving taller stubble (Sheaffer et al., 1988). Obtaining higher yields requires that the plants are healthy and that carbohydrate root reserves are adequate for plant regrowth following harvest.
Does alfalfa reduce stem numbers?
This weed competition could reduce stem numbers or yield, and may reduce overall forage quality, particularly if the weeds were grasses. Finally, recent concerns about high mineral potassium (K) levels in high quality alfalfa forages has led to the recommendation that growers reduce cutting height.
How long does it take for alfalfa to grow?
In milder winter areas of the southern U.S., alfalfa may also be sown 60 days before the first fall frost to grow before its first winter. Winter cold kills back the above-ground leaves and stems, but in subsequent years it regrows again in spring and then blooms. Mature, uncut plants get up to 30 inches tall and 12 to 32 inches wide.
When does alfalfa produce flowers?
Alfalfa produces mauve to purple flowers starting in late spring. A highly nutritious food for wildlife and domesticated animals, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is called "the premier forage legume in the United States" by the University of Kentucky.
Why is alfalfa important to farmers?
Importance of Alfalfa. Farmers in the United States grow alfalfa to produce a sweet-tasting and nutritional hay for livestock, including cattle, dairy cows, goats and horses. Farmers cut the alfalfa just before the flower buds open, let it air dry and bale it. Cleared fields then regrow.
When does alfalfa bloom?
The next spring it regrows and reliably produces its first flush of blossoms anytime from May to July, depending on location in the United States.
Where did alfalfa come from?
Native to Iran and the Caucasus, humans cultivated alfalfa, also called lucerne, across other parts of Asia and Europe. Settlers in the 1700s brought alfalfa to North America, where it it both grown as a field crop and has escaped cultivation to become a meadow weed.
What animals eat alfalfa?
When alfalfa sprouts up as roadside or meadow weeds, deer, rabbits, elk, geese and other game and water fowl use the plant for food or nesting material. Alfalfa flowers are a significant source of nectar for honeybees in North America, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
