Alfalfa is a perennial legume valued as a forage crop and for its deep root system, contributing significantly to soil health by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. While large-scale planting often involves specialized machinery, establishing a small alfalfa crop by hand is entirely feasible with careful preparation and technique. This method focuses on creating the ideal seed environment and managing the early growth stages to ensure a persistent and productive stand. Optimizing the soil conditions is necessary for this nitrogen-fixing plant to thrive for years to come.
Preparing the Planting Site and Seeds
Alfalfa requires specific soil conditions, making proper site preparation the most important step for a successful stand. A soil test is necessary well in advance of planting to determine the current acidity and nutrient levels, as alfalfa performs best in a near-neutral pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. If the pH is too low, agricultural lime should be applied and worked into the top six inches of soil, ideally six to twelve months before planting, to allow time for the lime to neutralize the acidity effectively.
The physical preparation of the seedbed is equally important, as alfalfa seeds are small and require excellent seed-to-soil contact. The goal is to create a fine, firm seedbed that is free of large clods and debris. Loosening the soil through light tilling or raking helps to achieve this fine tilth, but the ground should be firm enough that a footprint only sinks about a quarter to a half-inch deep.
Before sowing, the seeds themselves must be treated with a specific inoculant containing Rhizobium meliloti bacteria. This inoculation is non-negotiable because this particular bacteria forms a symbiotic relationship with the alfalfa roots, creating nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the plant can use, eliminating the need for nitrogen fertilizer. The inoculant, usually a peat-based powder, should be mixed with the seeds just before planting, often with a sticking agent like a diluted sugar solution to help the bacteria adhere to the seed coat. The inoculated seeds should be planted immediately or within 24 hours and kept out of direct sunlight, as heat and ultraviolet light can rapidly kill the delicate bacteria.
Seed Inoculation Detail
The seeds themselves must be inoculated just before planting with a specific strain of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Rhizobium meliloti. This inoculant, typically a peat-based powder, is mixed with the seeds using a binder, such as a weak sugar or corn syrup solution, to ensure the bacteria adhere to the seed coat. This step is not optional, as it enables the alfalfa to form the root nodules necessary for converting atmospheric nitrogen, providing the plant with its own fertilizer source.
Hand Sowing Techniques and Timing
Selecting the correct time to plant is as crucial as the soil preparation, with the two main options being early spring or late summer. Spring planting, often referred to as dormant seeding, allows the new plants to take advantage of spring rains and residual soil moisture, but it also means dealing with high weed competition as temperatures warm. Late summer or early fall planting, typically mid-August to early September, offers a significant advantage by reducing weed pressure, but it requires diligent moisture management to ensure the seedlings establish deep roots before the first hard frost.
To sow the small seeds by hand, the broadcasting technique is used, which involves uniformly scattering the seeds over the prepared area. A common hand-sowing rate for pure alfalfa stands is approximately 20 to 25 pounds of pure live seed per acre, which is about 10 to 20 percent higher than mechanical drilling to account for uneven distribution. Achieving uniform coverage requires dividing the seed into two equal portions and scattering the first portion while walking in one direction, then scattering the second portion while walking perpendicular to the first path. This cross-hatch method minimizes skips and ensures a dense, consistent stand.
Seeding Rate and Distribution
The primary method for hand planting is broadcasting, where the small seeds are scattered uniformly across the prepared seedbed. Since hand broadcasting can result in uneven distribution, the recommended seeding rate should be increased by 10 to 30 percent over the rate used for precision planting equipment, often aiming for 15 to 25 pounds per acre.
Ensuring Initial Seed Establishment
Once the seeds are broadcast, the next immediate challenge is ensuring proper seed-to-soil contact without burying the tiny seeds too deeply. Alfalfa seeds should be placed very shallowly, ideally between a quarter and a half-inch deep in medium-textured soils, or slightly deeper, up to three-quarters of an inch, in sandy soils. Lightly raking the area after broadcasting can gently incorporate the seeds, followed by walking over the plot or using a hand roller to press the soil firmly against the seeds. This firming action is important because it conserves moisture and secures the seed in place for germination.
Consistent surface moisture is absolutely necessary during the first four to six weeks following planting for successful germination and emergence. The top half-inch of soil must not be allowed to dry out completely during this period, which may require light, frequent watering if rainfall is insufficient. Deep, infrequent watering is not necessary during this initial stage; instead, the focus is on maintaining a moist environment for the emerging seedlings.
Competition from weeds is the primary threat to new alfalfa seedlings, especially during the first 30 to 60 days of establishment. For small-scale, hand-planted plots, mechanical weed control is often the most practical option. If weeds begin to overgrow the young alfalfa, they can be “clipped” or mowed above the height of the alfalfa seedlings, ensuring that at least one set of leaves remains on the alfalfa plant for continued growth while reducing the light and nutrient competition from the weeds.
Seed Covering and Firming
Immediately after broadcasting, the seeds must be lightly covered to ensure the close seed-to-soil contact necessary for consistent moisture uptake. Alfalfa seeds have a very limited energy store, so they must be placed shallowly, ideally between a quarter and a half-inch below the surface. A light raking or dragging action can gently incorporate the seeds, followed by firming the surface with a hand roller or by walking over the area to press the soil around the seeds.
Moisture Management
Consistent moisture is paramount during the first four to six weeks of establishment, as the top layer of soil must remain moist for the seeds to germinate and the seedlings to emerge. Light, frequent watering is more effective than deep soaking at this stage, as it keeps the shallow seed zone damp while encouraging the young roots to grow downward. If the surface dries out, the delicate emerging seedlings will quickly perish.
Weed Control
Weed competition poses the greatest threat to a new stand, as alfalfa seedlings are poor competitors during their first month of life. For hand-planted plots, mechanical control, such as a light clipping or mowing of the weeds, is the best non-chemical solution. The mowing height must be set high enough to cut the weeds without damaging the tiny alfalfa crowns, ensuring that the alfalfa plants retain at least one set of leaves to continue photosynthesis.
First Year Management and First Harvest
Alfalfa plants establish slowly, and patience is required during the first year to ensure the development of a strong crown and deep root system for long-term stand persistence. The general recommendation is to allow the plants to develop for approximately 60 days after emergence before considering the first cutting. Cutting too early depletes the energy reserves in the young roots, which can compromise the plant’s ability to survive the winter.
The first harvest should be timed carefully, often when the stand is at the late bud stage or shows about 10 to 25 percent bloom, which signals that the root reserves are maximized. When cutting, it is important to leave a substantial stubble height, typically four to six inches, to protect the developing crown of the plant. This high cutting height ensures that the energy-storing tissue at the base of the plant is not damaged, promoting rapid and vigorous regrowth.
Ongoing care for the new stand involves monitoring for signs of nutrient deficiency or disease, especially ensuring that the soil remains well-drained, as alfalfa will not persist in wet, waterlogged conditions. The stand should not be cut during the four-week period before the first expected killing frost, as the plants need this time to accumulate root reserves necessary for winter survival. Maintaining high soil fertility, particularly phosphorus and potassium levels, will also support the new plants in their second year and beyond.