trefle.io · Taken May 15, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Fabaceae
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Also known as Medicago sativa f. microphylla, Medicago sativa var. vulgaris, Buffalo herb, Medicago vera
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Legume · Nitrogen-Fixing · Edible · Sprouts · Pollinator · Fodder · Drought-Tolerant · Fast-Growing · Meadow · Fabaceae
Alfalfa is a deep-rooted, fast-growing perennial legume that thrives in full sun with well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility over time. It is highly drought-tolerant once established thanks to its impressive taproot system, and requires minimal watering or feeding. Harvest leaves young for nutritious sprouts and salads, or allow it to flower to attract bees and other pollinators.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 7 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply and infrequently; allow soil to dry between waterings as deep roots access moisture · Every 10-14 days once established
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–8.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Blue
- Foliage
- Green · Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Alabama, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Amur, Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina South, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil South, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, California
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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