I agree completely. I thought I was being aggressive at 50% of my perennial legume blend last year, and it wasn't enough. The 25% of white clover I put in there took 98% of the space. I'm considering adding alfalfa to my throw and mow each year until I get it showing up in better densities.Lol, you may not like this answer but add as much as you can afford to add. That's my philosophy with alfalfa anyway.
I was intrigued by your title…I’ve heard you can plant it in the fall or spring but never really knew it to be a fall crop per se. I was going to look into planting it in the spring. Trying to convince my farmer to do it. I feel like the benefits of having on the landscape 365 days (albeit not always being used) is better than beans for a short portion of the year and waaayyyy better than corn.Yes I agree, Howbout, I know its a great food for deer, but I always thought it was not a good fall plot and died off after first frost.
I think it’s underutilized because it’s not bulletproof to get established. It takes more work than something like clover or beans.Been talking with a buddy about this a lot recently. I feel like alfalfa is underutilized as a food plot. Beans seem to be king, and rightfully so, but alfalfa has to be a close second. I have a 9 acre section of my row crop portion that I’m considering turning into an alfalfa field.
It does better when it’s above 6.5 and all the way up to 7.5.Just had the fields limed….what ph does A need?
Frost variable these day in WKY, prob mid to late October. weather crazy these daysAlfalfa wouldn't survive if you planted it this late here in Upper Michigan. Rule of thumb is at least 30 days prior to first frost date which would be no later than August 10-15. I am no alfalfa expert but I have had very good success with spring-planted alfalfa. Not sure when you will get your first frost in KY but hopefully not for another month or so. Best of luck.