Anyone frost-seed alfalfa??

[Bowsnbucks]

Can any variety of alfalfa be frost-seeded?? We have a mixed plot of Supreme brand 2020 alfalfa and Starfire red clover that we planted in mdi-August 2020. Just wondering if the alfalfa looks thin, can it be frost seeded this March to get it thicker?? I know clover can be frost-seeded.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Some varieties may germinate sooner than others and make themselves prone to a late frost injury. I yield to some of the more experienced folks on here to answer. But I'm fairly confident most alfalfa's can be frost seeded. I have had amazing success with frost seeding alfalfa for establishment. I've had marginal to poor success with trying to improve the stand with overseeding though.

 

[scott44]

Alfalfa can be frost seeded for establishment but it doesn't frost seed well into existing alfalfa plot because the existing alfalfa has allelopathic effects.

 

[PoorSand]

My understanding is that frost seedling alfalfa works best on clay type soils, because the surface expands and contracts as it thaws and refreezes, resulting in cracks the seed can fall, blow, or wash into. I've tried frost seeding alfalfa on sandy soil a few times and had no success.

 

[PoorSand]

Bows: I just re-read your post. My recollection is that autotoxicity is less of an issue when spring planting a stand that was planted the fall before. There are a number of variables in calculating the risk though Google "Alfalfa Autotoxicity Risk Assessment Worksheet" to get to an Excel file where you can enter in information about your field and it will calculate the level of autotoxicity risk.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Thanks gentlemen, for your input !! I'll check out the "spring-planted autotoxicity" worksheet info. I'm thinking of frost-seeding some into an existing clover plot as well, just to add some additional goodies to a fairly long plot. Our soil is a clayish loam.

I'm open for ALL input !! If anyone knows which varieties of alfalfa frost-seed better than others ........... that would be a big help.

 

[PoorSand]

On clayish loam, I'd probably look for a variety that is resistant to phytophthora root rot.

 

[homerj1]

If anyone knows which varieties of alfalfa frost-seed better than others ........... that would be a big help.

I'd go with the cheapest alfalfa I could get. Frost seeding isn't a highly recommended way of establishing alfalfa.

 

[scott44]

Not saying it's the best but vernal alfalfa is about the only alfalfa I can find in small amount other than a 50# bag and a 50# bag will cost you $200-300.

 

[White Birch Farm]

Not saying it's the best but vernal alfalfa is about the only alfalfa I can find in small amount other than a 50# bag and a 50# bag will cost you $200-300.

John will sell you any quantity you need, and can answer any questions. And, yes, I have used it.

Alfalfa 4.5 lb.(1/4-1/5 acre) | grandpa-ray-outdoors

The king of forages. A 1/4 acre bag of alfalfa for straight seeding or to include in your perennial mixes. This alfalfa is winter hardy and will typically last 4-5 years.

www.grandparayoutdoors.com

 

[scott44]

John will sell you any quantity you need, and can answer any questions. And, yes, I have used it.

Alfalfa 4.5 lb.(1/4-1/5 acre) | grandpa-ray-outdoors

The king of forages. A 1/4 acre bag of alfalfa for straight seeding or to include in your perennial mixes. This alfalfa is winter hardy and will typically last 4-5 years.

www.grandparayoutdoors.com

I see Merit Seed has a couple brands that are smaller bags, never tried it yet.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

After talking to the folks at Welter's, they told me I'd get better results if we broadcast the alfalfa seed into an existing clover plot and rolling or cultipacking it - rather than trying to frost-seed the alfalfa. They said frost seeding can work with alfalfa, but the germination would be less than over-seeding & cultipacking. FWIW.

 

[Bassattackr]

I tried frost seeding it once and didn't have good results. However, the clover I mixed in with it came in quite well..

 

[Derek Reese 29]

I agree with most of these above statements about not great results with frost seeding. I tried late frost seeding (late March I believe) ~10 lbs of alfalfa last year into a sparse existing clover plot and did not see good results at all. Very few plants and had to overseed clover in late spring to have a decent plot.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

^^^^^ Thanks, Derek, for that info. I think we'll go with cultipacking after seeding. Your first-hand experience - while in the same general area of Pa. - is the lock on not just frost-seeding alfalfa!!

 

[Derek Reese 29]

^^^^^ Thanks, Derek, for that info. I think we'll go with cultipacking after seeding. Your first-hand experience - while in the same general area of Pa. - is the lock on not just frost-seeding alfalfa!!

Sure thing! I may have had a better experience by waiting a few weeks till it really thawed and by using a cultipacker..hope it works for you!

 

[Wild Thing]

Can't answer your question on frost seeding alfalfa BNB as I've never done it...but I did have good success last year with the same variety of alfalfa that you planted - the 2020 Supreme Brand which I purchased from Welter Seed.

2020 Supreme Brand Alfalfa

I mixed it with clovers as well and probably actually went a little too heavy on clover seeding (16# Alfalfa, 2# Jumbo Ladino & 2# Med Red/acre). I drilled mine in Upper Michigan on May 27th and could not have been happier with the results...and the deer didn't complain either.

I bought one 50# bag and planted a little over 3 acres in several different plots. I probably didn't need to, but I drilled it with a nurse crop of oats so I ended up spraying it with Clethodim to terminate the oats and then clipped it once to top the dead oats. Other than that, the deer kept it mowed for the rest of the year.

Best of luck with the frost seeding or broadcasting and cultipacking, whichever you decide.

 

[buckdeer1]

You don't have to buy the high priced seed just get from your farm supply,I doubt if it will grow if you already have alfalfa growing there as you usually have to have out for a couple years before you can replant.

 

[megavites]

after say a 3-5 yr alfalfa plot, do you have to let it go dormant for a year or two?

 

[scott44]

after say a 3-5 yr alfalfa plot, do you have to let it go dormant for a year or two?

It's a good idea to kill the plot and plant something else for at least a year and then you can put it back into alfalfa.