Description
Alfalfa Seeds 6675. Open Pollinated. Perennial.
450 seeds/gram
A deep-rooted, drought resistant perennial forage plant that also works well as a permanent cover crop in gardens and fields. As a deep rooted soil nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixing legume, it is a superb choice for use in soil enhancement/remediation programs. Most stands in cultivation as forage last at least three years. Yield losses are noticeable when stem counts are between 40 and 50 per square foot. If you are growing alfalfa as forage, consider replacing the stand when there are less than 40 stems per square foot. A good plant for pollinators. Reaches 45-60 cm in height. Sow at 22.5 kg/ha (20 lbs/acre). For smaller areas sow at 454 g per 180 sq. m. (1 lb/2000 sq. ft.).
How to Grow
Good seed to soil contact is required for any successful seeding. Begin with a finely prepared seedbed that is as free of weeds/debris as possible and firm with a stiff rake or roller. Most forage species should not be sown deeper than 12 mm (1/2″) and small seeded species at 6 mm (1/4″) or less. These crops need to be watered or sown at the right time of year which is usually early April to mid-May. Late fall seeding around mid October until winter arrives (known as dormant seeding) generally ensures that no seed will germinate until spring as the soil is too cold. Spring’s warm rains and snow melt will be enough to initiate germination. Germination occurs in approximately 2 weeks.
