alfalfa pellets

Would someone please finally fill we iris novices in on this alfalfa pellet
information!  What do the alfalfa pellets do for the irises?  Nitrogen maybe?
If so, to create more or make the soil less nitrogen?  I am in the process of
creating a raised 10x20 foot iris bed (in anticipation of my 23 TB irises
arriving soon from Schreiners) and before I add the dirt I would like to know
the ideal mixture.  I have a ph meter to test the ph which I understand should
be about 7. ANY information would be greatly appreciated ASAP since we're going
to begin the "dirt work" on Monday!

**** Kim --- alfalfa won't do anything to the pH -- the amount of nitrogen
is insignificant -- what you are adding when you add alfalfa is trace amounts
of vitamins and minerals and good stuff plants need to grow.  humans get
vitamins and minerals from plants, right?  plants get them from the soil,right?
You can help the plants be healthy (maybe yourself too) by adding alfalfa.
Without doubt, a soil analysis will not change after you use alfalfa.
You don't have to worry about over applying -- there's no "correct" amount.
You will be amending your soil with organic matter and giving your plants
a vitamin pill.  

Dennis Stoneburner has used alfalfa for eons, and might have some suggestions.
He has a receipe for alfalfa tea for plants, too.  The amount you use might
depend on how much money you want to  spend on soil amendments after you
dig, add compost, and etc.  Consider -- you paid good money for the rhizomes,
you want to give them the best growing conditions you can to protect your
investment!! 

Here's a question for Dennis on this topic -- which is more effective, adding
alfalfa to already established clumps/bed of iris, or putting alfalfa on a
new bed?

The question deals with the most time to use alfalfa -- Carol Warner says not
to fertilize beardless during the first year -- does this include not using
alfalfa during that first year?? I am going to put it in the new spots for
beardless because alfalfa will probably help hold moisture in the soil.
However, should I add alfalfa to new spots where tb's will go??

Chew on that one awhile!!

Carolyn Schaffner in Buffalo, NY  -- hope that helps, Kim -- have FAITH!!
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