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!

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

Vigna unguiculata, commonly known as cowpeas, are esteemed as a summer annual legume, offering valuable high-protein summer hay or pasture. Resilient and adaptable, they resemble soybeans but exhibit superior tolerance to heat and drought, featuring softer stems and robust regrowth post-grazing. Renowned for their exceptional nitrogen-fixing capabilities, cowpeas surpass soybeans in this regard. Ideally sown in spring when soil temperatures exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they require a seeding rate of 30-60 pounds per acre when planted as a monoculture, at a depth of one inch. Inoculating seeds ensures optimal results. Cowpeas find versatile applications in forage, including pasture, silage, and hay, making them a favored summer option for deer and other wildlife. Moreover, they excel in erosion control and weed suppression, further enhancing their value in agricultural and ecological contexts.

Brassica carinata, also known as African cabbage or Ethiopian mustard, is a resilient member of the Brassicaceae family, recognized for its versatility and unique characteristics. With a hard, erect central stem that remains upright even in winter, it displays remarkable resilience in adverse weather conditions. This attribute not only aids in its survival but also makes it adept at trapping snow during the winter months, contributing to moisture retention in the soil. Beyond its agronomic benefits, African cabbage offers additional advantages in agricultural practices. It demonstrates efficacy in controlling several parasitic nematodes, making it a valuable tool in integrated pest management strategies. However, despite its numerous strengths, it is worth noting that African cabbage is considered less palatable for livestock forage compared to other brassicas. Nevertheless, its nutritional value and adaptability make it a valuable asset in sustainable farming systems, offering both food security and soil health benefits.

California Brome, Bromus carinatus
Blue Wildrye, Elymus glaucus
California Barley, Hordeum californicum
Idaho Fescue, Festuca idahoensis
Purple Needlegrass, Stipa pulchra
One Sided Bluegrass, Poa secunda

The California Habitat Mix is a meticulously crafted blend of native grasses designed to bring the essence of the Californian landscape right to your doorstep. Perfect for sustainable landscaping, restoration projects, and creating a vibrant habitat for local wildlife, this mix embodies the beauty and resilience of California’s diverse ecosystems. We have formulated the perfect mix of grasses that will thrive in these conditions using little irrigation.

Big squirreltail is a species of wildrye native to the western United States, particularly in California; often found on rocky or brushy hillsides and in open woods, dry plains, grasslands, or savannas. It is a drought tolerant bunchgrass that is fire resistant. Big squirretail prefers full sun, well drained soils and is used as a quick fix to soil stabilization. Big squirretail is similar to bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), but grows in slightly more mesic areas.

Host plant: woodland skipper, Nevada skipper, white-lined sphinx, armyworm moth, bronzed cutworm, glassy borer, and darted wainscot

Produced by Hedgerow Farms

Our California Native Erosion Control Mix is a thoughtfully curated blend of native grasses and legumes designed to provide effective erosion control while supporting local ecosystems. Comprising California Brome (Bromus carinatus), Small Fescue (Vulpia microstachys), and Foothill Clover (Trifolium ciliolatum), this mix is ideal for stabilizing soils in California’s diverse terrains, including slopes, disturbed sites, and areas prone to erosion.

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Key Benefits:

Effective Erosion Control

• California Brome establishes rapidly, offering quick ground cover to protect against soil erosion. Its robust root system helps anchor soil on slopes and disturbed areas.

• Small Fescue contributes to soil stabilization with its fine roots, enhancing the soil structure and reducing runoff.

Adapted to California’s Climate

• All species in this mix are native to California, ensuring adaptability to local soil types and climatic conditions.

• These plants are drought-tolerant once established, making them suitable for areas with limited water availability.

Supports Local Biodiversity

• Foothill Clover, a native legume, enriches the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

• The mix provides habitat and forage for native pollinators and wildlife, promoting ecological balance.

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Ideal Applications:

• Slope stabilization and erosion control projects

• Restoration of native grasslands and habitats

• Roadside and utility corridor revegetation

• Post-fire landscape recovery

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Establishment and Maintenance:

• Seeding Time: Optimal seeding occurs in the fall to take advantage of winter rains, promoting germination and establishment.

• Seeding Rate: Apply at a rate of 20–30 pounds per acre, depending on site conditions and desired coverage.

• Maintenance: Minimal maintenance required once established. Occasional mowing or controlled burns can help maintain plant vigor and control invasive species.

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By choosing the California Native Erosion Control Mix, you’re investing in a sustainable solution that not only protects your land from erosion but also enhances the local environment by supporting native plant and animal species.

Blando brome is a cool season annual bunchgrass native to Europe. It is widely distributed throughout the ranges of California, including the Sierra foothills, and range areas bordering the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley and the high mountain chaparral ranges of southern California. Blando brome growth starts in the fall and matures by April or May of the following year. This grass has excellent reseeding abilities, along with a dense and fibrous root system that aids in reducing soil erosion. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils and climates, is low-growing, and matures early. Blando brome is often used in ranges, pastures, and as a cover crop for vineyards and orchards.

Produced by S&S Seeds

Coast range melic, also known as California melic, small flower melic, and little California melic, is a perennial grass native to the southwestern United States and Baja California. It typically grows in woodlands, chaparral, and other dry areas and can be primarily found in the central and southern portions of California, along the coast, in the coastal mountain ranges, and in the foothills of the Sierras. With supplemental irrigation, coast range melic can remain evergreen, otherwise, it is dormant throughout the summer, greening up in fall/winter rain.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx and rural skipper

Produced by S&S Seeds

Nodding needlegrass is a perennial grass native to California, primarily in the Coast Ranges from Tehama County southward. It is often found at elevations from sea level to 5,000 feet. This quick-growing grass flourishes in the spring with medium-green deciduous leaves. Needle grasses (Stipas) have been a major component of California’s native grasslands. In the garden, this grass is best grown in small patches between chaparral or sage scrub species and mixed with various perennial herbs and annuals.

Host plant: white-lined sphinx, Juba skipper, common ringlet, and Nevada skipper