CorseMachin
Since alfalfa roots quickly, it doesn't require deep planting—only about a half inch (1 cm.) deep. Merely sprinkle the seeds evenly onto the soil and cover lightly with dirt. Use about ¼ pound of seeds per 25 square feet and space rows about 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.).
- How do you prepare a field for planting alfalfa?
- What is the best time of year to plant alfalfa?
- How long does it take to grow alfalfa?
- Can you plant alfalfa after alfalfa?
- How deep do you plant alfalfa?
- How much does it cost to plant an acre of alfalfa?
- Where does alfalfa grow best?
- Does alfalfa grow in clay soil?
- What do you plant with alfalfa?
- Does alfalfa need a lot of water?
- Does alfalfa reseed itself?
- How short should you cut alfalfa?
How do you prepare a field for planting alfalfa?
5 Tips for Planting Alfalfa
- Perform a soil test. It's important to know your soil's pH, potassium and phosphorous levels. ...
- Control seeding depth. Plant alfalfa seeds three-eighths of an inch below the soil surface. ...
- Check herbicide carryover. Consider the crop you had planted in that field last year. ...
- Control weeds. ...
- Try a new variety.
What is the best time of year to plant alfalfa?
In years with adequate rainfall, late summer or fall is typically the best time to establish alfalfa. Yields from late summer seeding are generally higher than yields from spring seeded alfalfa in the establishment year.
How long does it take to grow alfalfa?
With seeding-year alfalfa, stems are spindly, roots are small and shorter, and growth is a little slower. You can harvest seeding-year alfalfa as early as 40 days after seedlings emerge. It takes plants about 40 days to become able to regrow from the crown after cutting.
Can you plant alfalfa after alfalfa?
1. For least risk, wait at least one year before reseeding alfalfa into a field previously in alfalfa. 2. At a minimum, do not reseed alfalfa into a previous alfalfa field until at least two weeks after destroying the previous alfalfa stand using tillage.
How deep do you plant alfalfa?
Since alfalfa roots quickly, it doesn't require deep planting—only about a half inch (1 cm.) deep. Merely sprinkle the seeds evenly onto the soil and cover lightly with dirt. Use about ¼ pound of seeds per 25 square feet and space rows about 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.).
How much does it cost to plant an acre of alfalfa?
Cropland with district water suitable for alfalfa production typically ranges in value among counties from $15,000 to $25,000 per acre. The land in this study is owned by the grower and cost $15,000 per acre.
Where does alfalfa grow best?
Alfalfa can be sown in spring or fall, and does best on well-drained soils with a neutral pH of 6.8–7.5. Alfalfa requires sustained levels of potassium and phosphorus to grow well.
Does alfalfa grow in clay soil?
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. If your soil pH is lower than 6.5, symbiotic nitrogen fixation may not function properly. Thus, liming will be required to raise low soil pH to its optimum level and make better nutrient uptake.
What do you plant with alfalfa?
Alfalfa often may be seeded with a companion crop like oats to control weeds and erosion and provide a crop of grain or hay. Clear seeding alfalfa alone, without a companion crop, also works well.
Does alfalfa need a lot of water?
Alfalfa is a high water use crop because it has a long growing season, a deep root system, and a dense mass of vegetation. ... Commonly cited ranges in water requirements for alfalfa are 18 to 36 inches of water per season. Alfalfa is quite tolerant of drought or extended periods without highly available water.
Does 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.
How short should you cut alfalfa?
Alfalfa or Clover
2" minimum. Some literature shows a cutting height of 1" will not reduce stand longevity, but remember the increased ash content issue.
