Growing alfalfa

[cleanview]

Anyone on here grow Alfalfa? We are wanting to plant some in our yard and wondering how much seed we need for a 10 X 50 area. Wanting grow this for chickens and quail and maybe rabbits.

 

[DaveOmak]

Alfalfa seed is about the size of a pin head..... It won't take much.... maybe an ounce or 2.... prepare the soil and rake smooth.... cast the seed.... rake to incorporate the seed about 1/4 - 1/2 inch deep..... pack the soil down firm.... Keep the surface of the soil damp so the seed doesn't dry out... once up about 1/4", water deeply.... Pull one of the plants and see how long the roots are.... Alfalfa grows deep....

15-40 #'s per acre depending... Sooooo... for 500 sq. ft. .... 0.15 to 0.4 #'s of seed.... there are roughly 220,000 seeds per pound...

..My 1 1/2 acre Alfalfa field....



Once you have Alfalfa in a plot of ground, Alfalfa is auto-toxic.... After other crops, in a few years, you can replant....

 

[FarmalI]

what do you mean by it is auto-toxic?

 

[Percheron chick]

It means it is incapable of reseeding itself. It will kill itself. It there is already alfalfa planted, you can not overseed with more alfalfa. The new seed will not sow and become established. You must break the growing cycle by planting another crop and completely destroying the existing alfalfa stand before you can replant.