Good info on alfalfa

Wasn't quite sure which sub-topic to put this one under, but this is the best publication I've yet read on growing alfalfa for cover, hay/mulch and seed.  It is from the Kansas State Agricultural College, published 1906.  More modern publications tend to be mostly a regimen of applying fertilizers, pesticides, etc.  The only non-permie aspect of this one is the advice to till.  There is plenty of info on its nitrogen fixing abilities, etc in modern ag publications and permaculture books/articles, but extremely little on growing it for seed, as well.

Good link! Alfalfa is great for lots of things, especially hay.

If you don’t plan to let it grow for 4-6 years, an easier, cheaper alternative is Korean Lespedeza. It’s an annual, it can grow in more acidic soils, and it’s very easy to establish. No tillage is necessary. Just broadcast the seed in late winter or early spring. Freezing and thawing helps work it in, but a good rain works too. It usually reseeds itself. It makes very good hay and fixes nitrogen. It does tend to get weedy.

Alfalfa yields much more and is the best hay.  I just mentioned Lespedeza because most people don’t seem to have heard of it. It’s better for a yearly rotation. People used to plant it in winter wheat, bale after wheat harvest, then plant wheat again.

I just realized this is under the dynamic accumulators heading. Alfalfa is definitely better for this because it has much deeper roots. I guess this doesn’t fit the topic, but it might help someone.  WJ, I’ll delete it if you wish?  

Thank you very much for the advice!  Some family property is in the sandhills of NC, and it is a pine barren.  The soil acidity is very high.  I will definitely check into lespedeza!

In that case you might like this link. http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPrinterFriendlyPub.aspx?P=G4515

The University of MO has a lot of good info about agriculture and forestry.

Great info - thanks!