can I still plant alfalfa seed in early july?

[cathleenc]

I have a small patch, maybe 10' x 10', where I want to start an alfalfa patch - next to the barn door - so I can grab some green good stuff for the rabbits, special treat for the goats, etc.

I've layered all sorts of composted manure, straw, green stuff, sort of broken down manure/bedding - and am going to wet it down and tarp it for a month. Am hoping that when untarped it will be nice fertile, relatively weedless soil/compost.

Can I still plant the alfalfa seed at that point? will it winter over okay?

thanks,
Cathy

[Jalopy]

I would say on a plot that size you could try it. Normally it is ideal to do it earlier but I think it would work okay especially if you can water it thoroughly every week to ten days. I will say that you probably should not harvest much this year and when you do be carefull that you do not disturb the roots in the loose soil. And make sure it is between 4-8 inches tall before it goes dormant to help keep it from winterkill. Just my thoughts from my experience, Good Luck JLP

[fantasymaker]

We plant it in August some years.

[Macybaby]

I always wondered about alfalfa. My Dad would rotate the fields every 3 -4 years and he'd plant the alfalfa with oats in the spring. The alfalfa would stay dormant and he'd harvest a nice crop of oats and bale the straw. As soon as the snow melted and the ground warmed up the next spring, the alfalfa would sprout for a beautiful crop.

Cathy

[haypoint]

In northern Michigan we can plant alfalfa as late as August 1st.
Alfalfa requires a ph of at least 6. You may need to add some lime into that mix you've got going. Get it tested for ph.

[rambler]

Alfalfa adult plants are toxic to their seedlings, so if there is any alfalfa there, you need to rotate to something else for at least 3 months of good weather - basically one year off.

Seed needs to be planted very shallow - 1/2 inch or so, even less - and get cool weather & dampness. It likes real firm ground. Not loose soil, but firm.

Middle of summer is a terrible time to plant it. August is much better, or early spring, when the ground is cooler & stays damper. Eather spring or fall is good.

In your small plot, with watering, it might work fine. For such a small plot. With watering for some time.....

--->Paul

[wwubben]

I would plant a thin stand of oats with it and keep it watered.Do not harvest any of it this year and it should work out ok.

[Wisconsin Ann]

If it helps, since we're in the same general area, I planted some alfalfa mid July a couple years ago (tilled up a small bit of pasture, broadcase some alfalfa, watered it during the hot parts of summer). It grew just fine. I had to add nitrogen to our soil for an extra BOOST for the plants.

I know you won't have ANY trouble finding water