For many years now, I have been growing various vegetables as a hobby in my spare time, which is what ultimately led me to studying horticulture. I find it fascinating to watch as plants grow from seed to fruit and to then finally be able to make use of the literal fruits of my labour. Favourite fruit: Strawberries and cherries Favourite vegetable: Potatoes, tomatoes and garlic
Alfalfa is mainly cultivated for green manure and as feed, especially for horses. It is valued for its high protein content and impressive dry matter yields.
Alfalfa (Medicago spec.) plays an important role in feed production. Continuously flowering and rich in nectar, it is also an important food source for wild bees. Read on to learn everything about alfalfa cultivation and uses.
Alfalfa, a flowering perennial legume is well-known as a nutritious animal feed. But did you know that it also offers tremendous benefits when used in your home garden? Alfalfa contains a wide array of minerals and other nutrients that can greatly enhance your soil. It also promotes microbial activity stimulates plant growth, fixes nitrogen, and so much more!
In this article we’ll explore the top 10 reasons to use alfalfa in your vegetable and flower gardens. Keep reading to learn how this unassuming green plant can transform your soil and supercharge your plants.
1. Provides an Abundance of Minerals
Alfalfa is rich in many essential minerals that plants need for optimal growth and vigor. It contains substantial amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, boron, iron, zinc, and more. The NPK ratio of alfalfa hay is around 3-1-3.
Adding alfalfa to your soil delivers a mega-dose of minerals. Your plants will thrive with improved access to these critical nutrients.
2. Builds Organic Matter
Organic matter is the lifeblood of healthy garden soil, Alfalfa hay and meal contribute organic material that nourishes soil microbes and improves soil structure, The organic matter acts like a sponge to hold moisture and prevent compaction
As the alfalfa breaks down, it releases nutrients that plant roots can absorb. It also encourages earthworm activity. The end result is light, crumbly, fertile soil.
3. Feeds Beneficial Microbes
The microorganisms in your soil work hard to decompose organic matter and release minerals. But in order to thrive, these microbes need adequate carbon and nitrogen.
Luckily, alfalfa provides the ideal balance of carbon and nitrogen that soil microbes crave. The protein, amino acids, fiber and sugars in alfalfa feed beneficial bacteria and fungi so their populations explode.
4. Stimulates Plant Growth
Alfalfa contains a natural plant hormone called triacontanol. When plants take up this growth-promoting substance from the soil, it boosts photosynthesis, makes roots grow faster and deeper, and increases microbial activity.
Research confirms that triacontanol enhances the yield, growth rate, biomass, and overall health of many food crops. It’s like a super growth tonic for your plants!
5. Fixes Atmospheric Nitrogen
Through an amazing symbiotic relationship with rhizobium bacteria, the alfalfa plant can take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form that plants can absorb from the soil.
When you turn under a cover crop of alfalfa or dig in alfalfa hay, the fixed nitrogen is released for the benefit of everything you grow.
6. Pulls Up Nutrients from Subsoil
With its deep taproot system, alfalfa penetrates up to 8 feet into the subsoil. It brings up precious nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and trace minerals. When the alfalfa is cut or incorporated, these deep-mined minerals become readily available near the soil surface.
7. Suppresses Harmful Nematodes
If parasitic roundworms known as nematodes are compromising your crops, alfalfa may help to remedy the problem. Italian research showed that alfalfa meal greatly reduced root-knot nematodes in tomatoes and cyst nematodes in carrots. Adding alfalfa to the soil also increased yields.
8. Improves Moisture Retention
Between the organic matter, deep roots, and soil structure benefits, alfalfa enhances moisture retention tremendously. Your soil becomes like a sponge with an improved ability to grab water and prevent drying out.
This moisture-preserving power makes gardens more resistant to periods of drought stress.
9. Concentrates Hard-to-Get Nutrients
We’ve already discussed how alfalfa gathers minerals from the subsoil. But did you know it also accumulates scarce nutrients from the topsoil? Alfalfa is a dynamic accumulator of iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and more.
When you consistently recycle alfalfa plants back into your garden, it leads to a gradual buildup of nutrients that can be hard to obtain otherwise.
10. Provides Free Fertilizer
Instead of purchasing commercial fertilizers, let alfalfa provide a free, organic nutrient boost for your landscape. Use it as a cover crop or cut-and-leave mulch to enjoy the many perks outlined above.
Or make alfalfa tea to supply immediately soluble nutrition. Add a cup of meal to a 5-gallon bucket of water. Let it steep for a few days, strain out the meal, and use the tea to water plants or as a foliar feed.
Give Alfalfa a Try!
Hopefully you now understand why alfalfa is such a gem in the garden. It nourishes soil, energizes plants, and helps everything grow bigger and stronger. For best results, use alfalfa regularly as a soil amendment, mulch, or cover crop. Your flowers and vegetables will thank you!
Growing alfalfa in the garden
Alfalfa prefers a warm and sunny location with chalky, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Deep loam or loess soils are suitable soil types. Avoid acidic compacted soils prone to waterlogging. Alfalfa plants grow best in soil with a pH value of 6.5 to 7.5. With its extensive root system, alfalfa copes better with a lack of water rather than too much, so soils should be dry to moderately moist. That being said, the crop has a high demand for water, so it is important the soil has good water storage capacity.
The sowing period for alfalfa is long, ranging from April to mid-August. If sown in spring, lucerne plants can develop enough to be ready to survive winter on their own. If starting your alfalfa seeds outside, check the soil temperature; the seeds need a soil temperature of at least 5 °C in order to germinate.
To prepare the soil for sowing alfalfa seeds, loosen it deeply and remove all weeds. Then sow the seeds to a depth of 1 to 1.5cm and press down lightly on the soil. We suggest using 25 to 30g of seeds per 10m². For large areas, simply spread the seeds over the soil’s surface, and then gently work the seeds into the substrate with a rake. Use the back of the rake to lightly press the soil down. Do not forget to water the seeds after planting them; from seeds to seedlings, keep the soil evenly moist. The first alfalfa seedlings should appear after about a week or two.
Tip: did you know that alfalfa can also be cultivated indoors on a windowsill or in the kitchen? Alfalfa sprouts are healthy and a refreshing way to refine dishes even in winter.
You want to know who’s behind Plantura?
For many years now, I have been growing various vegetables as a hobby in my spare time, which is what ultimately led me to studying horticulture. I find it fascinating to watch as plants grow from seed to fruit and to then finally be able to make use of the literal fruits of my labour. Favourite fruit: Strawberries and cherries Favourite vegetable: Potatoes, tomatoes and garlic
Alfalfa is mainly cultivated for green manure and as feed, especially for horses. It is valued for its high protein content and impressive dry matter yields.
Alfalfa (Medicago spec.) plays an important role in feed production. Continuously flowering and rich in nectar, it is also an important food source for wild bees. Read on to learn everything about alfalfa cultivation and uses.
Alfalfa – Garden Mulch, Compost, and an Edible and Medicinal Plant
FAQ
Is alfalfa good for gardens?
What does alfalfa do for soil?
What are the disadvantages of growing alfalfa?
Are alfalfa seeds good for You?
Often known as a major source of livestock feed, the alfalfa seeds, leaves, and sprouts have many uses all over the world. Packed full of medicinal and nutritional properties, there are many benefits to consuming alfalfa. Most notably, it is high in vitamin K with a single serving of the plant providing 13% of your daily allowance.
What are the benefits of alfalfa for humans?
Alfalfa for humans is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidant properties, and low in calories. Helps reduce cholesterol, control blood sugar levels, and relieve symptoms of menopause.
Is alfalfa hay good for your garden?
Alfalfa itself is fantastic for your garden. Alfalfa plant material provides not only a good NPK boost but lots of micronutrients. Many people use alfalfa hay as a mulch material as it acts as a natural fertilizer layer and weed blocker. But alfalfa meal is a bit more processed than straight alfalfa hay might be.
Does alfalfa stimulate growth?
Stimulates Growth Alfalfa contains triacontanol, a hormone which stimulates the growth of plant roots, enhances photosynthesis, and increases beneficial microbes which help to suppress many soil-borne diseases. 5.