Alfalfa — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Medicago sativa |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 4.4–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 60–90 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 2.5–5.1 |
| Mature height (cm) | 45.7–91.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 15.2–30.5 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Inoculate seed with Medicago-specific rhizobium and broadcast at 15–20 lb per acre (about 1/4 oz per 100 sq ft), raking seed to 1/4 in depth into a firm, well-prepared seedbed with pH 6.5–7.0. Alfalfa fixes 100–200 lb of nitrogen per acre per year once established and deep taproots (up to 6 ft) break hardpan and mine subsoil minerals. Terminate by mowing at early bloom stage — typically every 30–40 days in summer — before the first killing frost; turning it under releases a large pulse of nitrogen. In perennial plantings, allow one cutting to go to seed to rejuvenate the stand every two or three years.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0