When should I plant alfalfa?
Untitled
By Ron Meyer
Area Extension Agent
(Agronomy)
The best time for alfalfa planting is in the spring. The following comments are some key considerations for successful stand establishment.
Field preparation: The ideal seedbed should be a smooth, firm, clod-free soil for optimum seed placement with drills or cultipacker seeders. Since alfalfa is a small seeded crop, it is important that it be planted according to soil type.
Advantages for using a nurse crop, such as oats, include erosion control and weed control. Disadvantages include increased competition with the seeding alfalfa for both moisture and nutrients, as well as lower quality and yield of first-year alfalfa. If seeding oats as cover, seed at light rate or (30-35 lbs. per acre) and preferably eliminate them with a postemergence herbicide after alfalfa is established. This will prevent the oat crop from over-competing the alfalfa.
Use high quality alfalfa seed with fresh inoculant. Alfalfa seed germination should be 85 percent or higher. Planting rates of between 12 and 18 pounds per acre are recommended. Choose alfalfa varieties based on test plot information. Apply phosphorous fertilizer before planting and incorporate for best results. Postash is needed on sandy soils only.
Date: 3/23/06
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