How to Grow Alfalfa? Detailed Explanation of Planting Methods and Technical Key Points

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 Dynasty, so it can be said to have a long history. Its use value is relatively high: it can be used as a vegetable on the human dining table, can also be used as forage for livestock, and can also be used as medicine. But now many people are not particularly familiar with alfalfa, nor do they know how to grow alfalfa. So what we are going to learn today is the cultivation method of alfalfa. Let's take a look together.

1. Variety Selection

After a long period of cultivation, many alfalfa varieties have appeared, and whether the alfalfa variety is selected correctly is the most basic condition for successful alfalfa cultivation. At present, the alfalfa with the greatest cultivation prospects is purple-flowered alfalfa (Medicago sativa). 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. Land 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, other soils 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 fine 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 from pests and diseases, and good in color. Then the seeds are coated with a special treatment formula, which can strengthen the seeds' resistance and increase the germination rate of the seeds. According to the climate differences in various regions of our country, alfalfa is usually planted in spring and autumn, that is, March to April and August to 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 this facilitates later field management. Sow according to a row spacing of 30 cm, then cover the seeds 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 water and fertilize the young seedlings. The growth of alfalfa requires sufficient moisture, but at the same time there must be no water accumulation in the field, and any accumulated water must be drained in time. As for fertilization, alfalfa has its own special bacterial fertilizer, and we can also apply an appropriate amount of phosphate fertilizer and organic decomposed fertilizer. At least three weedings are needed in a 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 being 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 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 or so, 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 amount 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.