Alfalfa seed germinates best at soil temperatures between 65-85°F. If soil temperature is 40°F, it takes alfalfa six days to germinate, but only two days at 65°F.
What is the best time of year to plant alfalfa?
In years with adequate rainfall, late summer or fall is typically the best time to establish alfalfa. Yields from late summer seeding are generally higher than yields from spring seeded alfalfa in the establishment year.
How long does it take for alfalfa seed to germinate?
deep. Merely sprinkle the seeds evenly onto the soil and cover lightly with dirt. Use about ¼ pound of seeds per 25 square feet and space rows about 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.). You should begin to see sprouts within seven to ten days.
How cold can alfalfa seedlings survive?
Alfalfa is relatively cold tolerant Alfalfa can generally withstand temperatures down to 24F for several hours without damaging more than the leaves in the mid- to upper-canopy. Temperatures from 25F to 30F may freeze leaves, but will likely not kill the apical meristem (bud) at the top of the plant.
Can you overseed alfalfa?
However, overseeding alfalfa stands over one year old with additional alfalfa seed is not recommended due to the likelihood of autotoxicity issues. Grasses overseeded into alfalfa stands generally produce higher yields of forage than overseeded legumes, so should be considered if higher yields are important.
How deep can you plant alfalfa?
One quarter to 3/8 inch seeding depth is ideal for most soil types; emergence drops off significantly when alfalfa is seeded over an inch deep. Too-fine seedbeds may result in sealing or crusting on some soils. The entire genetic capability of the crop is contained in a tiny seed.
What is the seeding rate for alfalfa?
Seeding rate. For pure alfalfa stands, 18 to 20 pounds per acre should be planted. For mixed stands with grass, 15 to 16 pounds per acre is recommended. For broadcast seeding, seeding rates need to be increased by 10 to 20 percent.
Why do you plant oats with alfalfa?
Alfalfa often may be seeded with a companion crop like oats to control weeds and erosion and provide a crop of grain or hay. They act like weeds, robbing alfalfa seedlings of moisture, sunlight, and nutrients during the seeding year. Mar 24, 2016.
Can you plant alfalfa with a grain drill?
Grain drills, equipped with small-seed attachments, can accurately meter alfalfa seed. However, it is difficult to place the seed at the proper depth. When using a grain drill, it is a common practice to disconnect the drop tubes from the shanks to allow the seeds to fall onto the soil surface.
What does frost do to alfalfa?
Established alfalfa will outgrow the damage from a light freeze (upper 20s for several hours). Observable damage from a light freeze is the wilting and sometimes loss of a few upper leaves and some slight curling of the stem (Figure 3 and 4). Buds or growing points will continue to grow as normal.
How much frost can alfalfa take?
Alfalfa generally has excellent frost tolerance up to the cotyledon and unifoliate stage. Some frost damage can occur starting in the first-trifoliate stage. Only a few hours of temperatures below -4ºC can kill alfalfa seedlings at the beginning of the second-trifoliate stage.
Is alfalfa cold tolerant?
At emergence, alfalfa and most winter hardy forage grass and legume seedlings have good cold tolerance.
What’s the best fertilizer for alfalfa?
Newly seeded alfalfa can benefit from 10-15 lb of nitrogen fertilizer per acre to ensure a good start, particularly on sandy or low organic matter sites and with early spring plantings into cold soils.
What do you mix with alfalfa?
Desired alfalfa/grass mixes can be maintained by picking appropriate grass species and varieties. Timothy and smooth bromegrass tend to produce too much forage in the spring but little the rest of the year so we recommend mixing either orchardgrass, tall fescue, or mea- dow fescue with alfalfa.
How many years does alfalfa last?
Alfalfa can remain productive in stands from four to ten years or more, but as plant population declines renovation eventually becomes necessary.
Can I plant alfalfa in grass?
The optimum temperature for alfalfa seedling development is as much as 15 degrees warmer than that for grasses. Planting in early spring will favor grass while planting in late spring or late summer will increase alfalfa. Chemical weed control is severely limited when grass is grown with alfalfa.
Can you spray 24d on alfalfa?
Though growth-regulating herbicides such as 2,4-D and dicamba in combination are very effective for terminating alfalfa, they won’t kill perennial grass species. Of course, glyphosate will be totally ineffective on Roundup Ready alfalfa.
How much does it cost to plant an acre of alfalfa?
Alfalfa has to be planted at around 25 pounds per acre if I remember correctly. A 50 pound bag of seed is around $200 last I heard a few years back, so $100 an acre just for seed. Probably $120-150 per acre including tillage costs.
How much water does it take to grow alfalfa?
However, the irrigation requirement for alfalfa is governed by rainfall and the water holding capacity of the soils growing the crop. Commonly cited ranges in water requirements for alfalfa are 18 to 36 inches of water per season. Alfalfa is quite tolerant of drought or extended periods without highly available water.
How many bales of alfalfa can you get per acre?
You should get 150 to 200 bales per acre with Alfalfa/orchard grass.
How do you maximize alfalfa yield?
Increase Alfalfa Yields Potassium (K) Potassium is the major nutrient required by alfalfa. Magnesium (Mg) High K rates can inhibit plant uptake of Mg, a nutrient that is central to photosynthesis. Sulfur (S) Correcting a S-deficient soil has been shown to significantly increase alfalfa yields.
What is the best grass to mix with alfalfa?
Meadow fescue and orchardgrass This cool-season grass is a viable forage choice for alfalfa-grass mixtures. For lactating cow forage, the mixture of alfalfa with meadow fescue and tall fescue resulted in higher yields and higher-quality forage compared to alfalfa alone.