What is Alfalfa?

Alfalfa is native to Asia and is one of the most important and common hay crops in the world. A long-lived perennial legume, fresh, pure alfalfa stands from one to three feet tall and produces clusters of small purple flowers. It prefers deep, well-drained soils and is found throughout the entire United States.

In addition, alfalfa grass yields healthy amounts of plant matter that can be harvested several times a season, which is why it is invaluable in hay production and is widely grown and used among farms and pasture lands. Alfalfa can also be partnered with grass species such as meadow fescue and orchardgrass for pasture grazing, although it should be a small percentage of the overall forage mix content to avoid bloating.

 

What Are The Uses of Alfalfa?

Though we provide a brief list of its uses above, here is a more detailed description of the many uses of alfalfa for livestock and agriculture:

Hay Production – As mentioned earlier, alfalfa hay is considered ideal for farmers, as its persistent growth cycle throughout the year can allow for great volumes of hay to be produced. Alfalfa hay is also known as high-protein feed, ensuring the livestock it feeds grows healthy and strong.

Livestock Grazing – During more verdant times of the year, alfalfa is also great for animals such as cows and lambs to graze and consume directly.

Silage – Alfalfa can also be stored in a silo for lengthy amounts of time, providing high-quality feed for times of year when there are no grasses or other plants for animals to graze.

Green Manure – For those looking to help sustain their lawns or pastures better, alfalfa can also be used as a great fertilizer while it is still green, providing additional nitrogen to the soil.

Ground Cover – In some cases, alfalfa can also be used as feed or fertilizer and as protection from soil erosion, weeds, diseases, and more.

Those are just some ways alfalfa seeds are used to benefit your farm, pasture, or other landscape. There are many incredible advantages to growing it as a crop on your property.

 

What Are The Benefits of Having Alfalfa Fields?

In addition to its varied uses, planting alfalfa seeding provides several benefits that make it more distinct and ideal to include as part of your forage mix. Here are a few perks of alfalfa seed to consider:

Alfalfa Increases soil nitrogen

As it is a legume, alfalfa plants have the ability to fix available nitrogen from the atmosphere, absorbing it from the air and back into the soil, enhancing plant growth for subsequent crops you may be planting in the same field later on.

Alfalfa is the highest-yielding forage plant

As mentioned before, alfalfa seed also provides a high yield for a sizable time of the year, giving it the highest feeding value among other legume and grass species.

Alfalfa Helps prevent soil erosion

Alfalfa plants each grow an incredibly deep root system, making it somewhat drought-tolerant, loosening compacted soil for better water infiltration and structure, and reducing soil erosion.

Alfalfa Provides high-quality forage and animal feed

Alfalfa grass can also be excellent feed and forage for livestock such as sheep and cattle. It provides them with a healthy, abundant food source with a high protein content and remains fresh for long periods, even when stored in a silo.

Alfalfa Manages the insect population

Planting alfalfa also helps protect every acre of pasture or farmland from harmful pests, as it attracts all kinds of other more beneficial insects, such as bees and other pollinators, as well as birds, which will hunt down any pests looking to eat your other crops.

These benefits and more help to prove that alfalfa may be the best legume in the world to plant in your pasture or grazing area. For premium quality Alfalfa seed and other legumes, order from Nature’s Seed today!

Aspen Daisy is a perennial wildflower native to much of the western United States. They are very similar in appearance to aster wildflowers and rarely get over two feet tall. It produces white, daisy-like flowers which bloom from June to September. Aspen Daisy thrives in full sun, but can also handle partial shade with well-drained soil. It is a good, drought tolerant wildflower that makes a great addition to mixes and provides a stunning view when planted in mass.

Scientific Name: Erigeron speciosus

Each wildflower seed packet contains approximately 100 seeds.

Palmer’s Penstemon is a drought tolerant perennial that prefers full sunlight. It produces soft pink flower that bloom May through July on tall, stout stems. Palmer’s Penstemon prefers open, exposed areas such as rocky hillsides, road banks, gravel pits, or gravelly washes. Its basal leaves are semi-evergreen and are palatable to livestock and wildlife during spring and winter. It is recommended for revegetating disturbed sites, especially on limestone soils.

Spiked Gayfeather is a native perennial that grows in vertical clusters of purple, white, and red flowers. It blooms from July to September in low-lying moist areas along prairies, meadows, or open fields. Spiked Gayfeather is known for its pest, deer, and disease resistance. It thrives in full sun and is tolerant to heat, drought, and cold.

Sweet William is an introduced perennial that often acts as an annual. Native to southern Europe, it grows in dense clusters of beautiful and colorful blooms on stiff, extended stems. It thrives in full sun and is an excellent plant for flower beds, gardens, and fields. Sweet William is loved for its sweet fragrance and its ability to attract pollinators.

Muhlenbergia rigens, commonly known as deergrass, is a species of perennial bunchgrass native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Deergrass is well-adapted to arid and semi-arid regions and is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and desert scrub. It prefers well-drained soils and is often seen on slopes or hillsides. Deergrass forms dense, clumping tufts with slender, arching, and graceful foliage. The leaves are narrow, linear, and can reach lengths of up to 2 feet (60 cm) or more. They are typically bluish-green or grayish-green in color.

Deergrass is an ecologically important plant in its native range. It provides food and habitat for various wildlife species, including deer, birds, and insects. Additionally, its dense clumps help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in areas prone to disturbance. Historically, indigenous communities in the southwestern United States utilized deergrass for various purposes, such as weaving baskets and mats.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx and green cutworm moth

Produced by S&S Seeds

Moss verbena, also known as South American mock vervain, is an introduced perennial from South America. It requires little water and full sun. Moss verbena has purple flowers that bloom spring to summer on light soils along road shoulders or in waste areas. It is an excellent perennial for ground cover.

Verbena hastata, commonly known as blue vervain, is a graceful perennial wildflower native to North America, found in wet meadows, stream banks, and marshy areas. It is characterized by its slender, erect stems that can reach heights of up to 4 feet, adorned with clusters of small, vibrant purple-blue flowers. Blue vervain blooms from mid-summer to early fall, attracting a variety of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its nectar-rich blossoms. Its lance-shaped leaves are arranged along the stem in opposite pairs, adding to its aesthetic appeal. Blue vervain also plays a role in ecological restoration efforts, as it is valued for its ability to stabilize wetland soils and provide habitat for native wildlife.

Helianthus mollis, commonly known as the ashy sunflower, is a striking wildflower native to the central and southeastern United States. Characterized by its vibrant yellow blossoms with dark centers and gray-green foliage, it adds a splash of color to prairies, roadsides, and open woodlands. Despite its name, the ashy sunflower exudes warmth and vitality, particularly in late summer and early fall when it blooms profusely. This species is admired for its resilience, often thriving in dry, sandy, or rocky soils, and tolerating a range of environmental conditions. The ashy sunflower attracts a plethora of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds, with its abundant nectar and seeds. Its robust nature and ecological importance make Helianthus mollis a beloved and valuable component of native landscapes, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as cardinal flower, is a striking wildflower native to North America, particularly fond of wet habitats such as stream banks, marshes, and damp woodlands. It is renowned for its vibrant display of scarlet-red flowers. The cardinal flower stands tall, reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet, with lance-shaped leaves arranged along its erect stems. Its tubular blossoms, resembling the shape of a cardinal’s beak, bloom in dense spikes from midsummer to early fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their nectar-rich blooms. This perennial plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, though it can tolerate some sun in cooler climates. It is often used in rain gardens, bog gardens, and other water features, where its brilliant blooms add a pop of color to the landscape while providing habitat for pollinators.