Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) or Lucerne is a favorite both in the garden and kitchen. It’s faster and easy to grow outdoors as well as indoors to add a nutty taste to sandwiches or salads. Alfalfa is perfect to grow as you can easily sprout in containers and eat it within just a few days, or grow it as green manure in your home garden to help promote a good healthy soil.

The plant offers many essential nutrients for humans –it helps with the purification of the liver and blood, detoxification of urinary tract, and maintaining body alkalinity. But perhaps most people will remember alfalfa for its extensive commercial use as fodder for livestock. It acts as a rich source of calcium, protein, boron and many other essential elements.

Other than human and livestock use, planting alfalfa in your garden helps restore your soil’s fertility and enhance the growth potential of your garden. Below is a quick overview of how to grow alfalfa in your garden.

How to grow alfalfa

It’s important to note that alfalfa is a perennial crop that grows up to 3 feet tall and spreads 2-3 feet. The plant flowers in May-July and the flowers look like clovers, which can be blue, yellow or purple. The leaves are tri-foliate, narrow and oblong or oval in shape.

Planting and Growing Details

Sunlight:

requires shade/sun with up to 3-4 hours of sunlight. You can quickly grow alfalfa sprouts in just 3-5 days indoors in a small tray or a glass jar. When sprouts get to about 2-5 inches, you can transplant them to your garden beds.

Water:

it requires regular watering, where you water the topsoil whenever it turns dry. You generally need to keep the soil aerated and moist, but not saturated. Too much watering can result in the development of fungal diseases and rots.

Sowing method:

 the best sowing season is spring to summer. You need to prepare a weed-free garden with firm soil so that there is increased contact between the seeds and the soil. Plant your seeds at the recommended rate and keep the soil moist to prevent the developing roots from drying. As earlier mentioned, you can also start by sprout the alfalfa seeds indoors before transplanting the sprouts into your garden.

Care:

always keep your alfalfa garden free of weeds. If you have a relatively small garden, you can opt for manual weeding. Otherwise, pre-plant herbicides are recommended for larger plantations. Apply fertilizer as per your soil test results. But the most common fertilizer used at planting is N.P.K fertilizer (a combination of Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium)

Pests:

Some of the most common diseases include bacterial wilt, common leaf spot, Downey mildew, and leaf rust. Use appropriate pesticides depending on the disease incidence. Commons pest such as whiteflies, alfalfa caterpillars and aphids tend to promote the growth of sooty mold.

Alfalfa as Green Manure

Using alfalfa as a green manure in your garden and yard is a fantastic choice for a variety of reasons. Alfalfa, scientifically known as Medicago sativa, is not only a nutrient-rich forage crop but also an excellent soil conditioner and a natural fertilizer when used as green manure. Here are some benefits and tips on how to use alfalfa as green manure in your garden and yard:

Benefits of Using Alfalfa as Green Manure

1. Nutrient Rich: Alfalfa is high in nitrogen, which is crucial for healthy plant growth. It also contains other essential nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, zinc, and more.
2. Soil Improvement: When turned into the soil, alfalfa acts as organic matter, improving soil structure, aeration, and water retention.
3. Weed Suppression: Growing alfalfa can help suppress weeds due to its rapid growth and dense foliage.
4. Pest and Disease Resistance: Alfalfa has natural properties that can help reduce soil-borne pests and diseases, promoting a healthier garden.
5. Nitrogen Fixation: As a legume, alfalfa has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through its root nodules, enriching the soil without the need for synthetic fertilizers.

How to Use Alfalfa as Green Manure

1. Selection: Choose a suitable alfalfa variety for your region. Some are more drought-resistant, while others are better suited for colder climates.
2. Preparation: Prepare your garden bed by removing any existing weeds or debris. Alfalfa prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral pH.
3. Planting: Sow alfalfa seeds directly into the soil. Ensure even coverage and lightly cover the seeds with soil. Water the area gently but thoroughly.
4. Growth Period: Allow the alfalfa to grow until it begins to flower, which is when it’s most nutrient-rich. This usually takes a few months.
5. Incorporation into Soil: Before the alfalfa sets seed, cut it down and turn it into the soil. You can use a shovel or a tiller for this. The alfalfa will decompose in the soil, releasing nutrients.
6. Waiting Period: Wait for a few weeks to allow the alfalfa to decompose and enrich the soil before planting your next crop.

Additional Tips

• Watering: Keep the alfalfa moderately watered; it doesn’t require as much water as some other green manures.
• Companion Planting: Alfalfa can be used in rotation with other crops to maintain soil fertility and health.
• Mulching: Alfalfa cuttings can also be used as mulch around other plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Using alfalfa as green manure is a sustainable and effective way to enrich your garden’s soil while promoting a more organic and environmentally friendly gardening practice. Whether you’re looking to boost your vegetable garden, enhance your flower beds, or improve the overall health of your yard’s soil, alfalfa is a versatile and beneficial choice.

Harvesting and use

Alfalfa, often heralded as the “Father of All Foods,” is a powerhouse of nutrients and versatility that goes beyond the pasture. Its young leaves and flowers offer a range of culinary delights, while the plant itself has several uses around the home. In this blog article, we’ll explore the various ways you can incorporate alfalfa into your diet and utilize it in your household.

Culinary Uses of Alfalfa

Alfalfa Leaves: A Flavorful Green

The young leaves of the alfalfa plant are tender and have a slightly nutty flavor. They can be used fresh in salads or as a leafy green addition to smoothies. For a more adventurous culinary experiment, try incorporating alfalfa leaves into pesto for a unique twist on the classic basil version.

Alfalfa Flower Tea

Alfalfa flowers can be dried and used to make a herbal tea that is both soothing and nutritious. This tea is known for its mild, grassy flavor and is believed to aid digestion and reduce inflammation. Simply steep dried alfalfa flowers in hot water for a few minutes, then strain and enjoy. You can also blend alfalfa flower tea with other herbs like mint or chamomile for a refreshing beverage.

Other Uses of Alfalfa Around the Home

Natural Fertilizer

Alfalfa is not just for eating; it can also benefit your garden. The plant is a natural fertilizer, thanks to its deep roots that pull up nutrients from the soil. You can use alfalfa meal or pellets as a soil conditioner to enrich your garden beds. It’s especially beneficial for roses and tomatoes, promoting vigorous growth and blooming.

Livestock Feed

If you’re raising chickens, goats, or rabbits, alfalfa can be a valuable addition to their diet. It’s high in protein and calcium, which is essential for egg-laying hens and lactating mammals. Use alfalfa hay or pellets as a supplement to their regular feed for a nutritional boost.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Agent

Alfalfa’s saponins, natural soap-like substances found in the plant, can be used as an eco-friendly cleaning agent. You can make a simple alfalfa-infused vinegar by steeping the leaves and flowers in white vinegar for a few weeks. This mixture can be used as a natural cleaner for surfaces in your home, leaving behind a fresh, clean scent.

Herbal Remedies

Alfalfa has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Its high nutrient content makes it an excellent tonic for overall health. You can make a simple alfalfa tincture by soaking the dried leaves and flowers in alcohol for several weeks. This tincture can be taken in small doses as a dietary supplement to support digestive health, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity.

Conclusion

Alfalfa’s versatility in the kitchen and around the home makes it a valuable plant to grow and utilize. Whether you’re adding fresh sprouts to your salad, brewing a cup of alfalfa flower tea, or using the plant as a natural fertilizer in your garden, alfalfa offers a plethora of benefits. Its nutritional profile, coupled with its eco-friendly uses, makes alfalfa a must-have for health-conscious individuals and sustainability enthusiasts alike. So, the next time you come across this humble plant, remember its wide range of applications and consider incorporating it into your lifestyle.