How to grow alfalfa? A detailed guide to the latest planting methods
Alfalfa is called golden flower vegetable, and some people also call it four-leaf clover. The history of alfalfa cultivation can be traced back to the Western Han period, so it can be said to have a long history. Its use value is relatively high: it can be used as a vegetable on people's dining tables, and can also be used as forage for livestock; at the same time, it can also be used as medicine. But nowadays many people do not know alfalfa particularly well, and they do not know how to grow alfalfa either. So what we are going to learn today is the planting method for alfalfa. Let's take a look together.
1. Variety selection
After a long period of cultivation, alfalfa has developed many varieties, and whether the alfalfa variety is chosen correctly is the most basic condition for successful alfalfa planting. At present, the alfalfa with the best planting prospects is purple-flowered alfalfa (alfalfa). Next, there are also Baoding alfalfa, large-leaf alfalfa, and foreign Ruoye alfalfa, all of which are relatively good alfalfa varieties. We can choose the most suitable variety for planting according to the specific conditions of the planting site.
2. Site selection and land preparation
For planting alfalfa, it is best to choose sandy soil or loam near a water source, with loose soil texture and moderate soil pH or slightly alkaline soil. Apart from clay soil, other types of land can also be used for planting, but the yield and quality of alfalfa will differ relatively. When preparing the land, we must thoroughly remove the weeds in the field, so deep plowing is required, then break the soil up finely and level it, and finally spread a sufficient amount of organic fertilizer or farmyard manure as base fertilizer, then wait for sowing.
3. Timely sowing
Before sowing, we need to treat the seeds. First, we should select high-quality seeds that are plump, healthy, free of pests and diseases, and good in color. Then the seeds should be pellet-coated with a special treatment formula, which can strengthen the seeds' resistance and increase the germination rate. According to the differences in climate among various regions of our country, alfalfa is usually planted in spring and autumn, that is, in March and April each year and in August and September each year. The specific time needs to be determined according to specific conditions. There are three sowing methods: spot sowing, drilling, and broadcasting, but drilling is mostly used, as it facilitates later field management. Sowing is carried out with a row spacing of 30 cm, and then the seeds are covered with soil.
4. Field management
There is a lot of field management work. First, we need to inspect the seedlings in the field and replant in time where they are relatively sparse. Then we need to water and fertilize the young seedlings. The growth of alfalfa requires sufficient water, but at the same time there must be no water accumulation in the field; if water accumulation occurs, it must be drained in time. As for fertilization, alfalfa has a special bacterial fertilizer, and we can also apply an appropriate amount of phosphate fertilizer and organic decomposed fertilizer. At least three weedings are needed each year, generally at the seedling stage and after each harvest, which can promote the growth of alfalfa.
5. Pest and disease control
Alfalfa has many diseases, the most common of which are rust, downy mildew, brown spot, and powdery mildew. We can use agents such as carbendazim, chlorothalonil, or thiophanate for control. The main pests of alfalfa are stem borers or some pests that mainly damage green leaves. We can use fenitrothion, dimethoate, and some other pesticides for pest control.
6. Reasonable harvesting
Alfalfa can be harvested at least three to four times a year, and it can also produce for several years, so we should harvest at the appropriate time. The first harvest is generally carried out when alfalfa has produced a small number of flowers, and then it can generally be harvested once every about 35 to 45 days. After each harvest, remember to weed and fertilize, which can promote the growth of its branches and leaves.