Re: TB:use of alfalfa

Lynn, I use alfalfa pellets regularly and I think it is an excellent source of
nutrients for irises.   However, here in Texas,
I never put them on the soil, but underground.   I dig a hole between the
clumps and put a handfull in each.   When planting, I put them under each new
plant.   Walter Moores, a former iris-talk member and commercial grower, found
that when he used them on the surface, he had leaf spot on the irises.   I
then realized that when I started using alfalfa, I too began to see leaf spot
on my plants.   I had none before.   I like to use alfalfa because I can't
rotate my plants into new soil.   I don't have the room to do so.   So,
between mulch and pellets, I keep the soil in good condition to grow iris.
I apply the pellets each spring and dig in mulch when ever I redo a bed.
                                                              Pat in Dallas

----- Original Message -----
From: Lynn Stucker, DVM
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:00 PM
To: iris@hort.net
Subject: [iris] TB:use of alfalfa

Hi,
Does anyone use alfalfa pellets in their garden on a regular basis?  If so,
in
what ways? and successes? improvements of fans? less leaf spot?

I have read several articles, but they tend to be vague on the exact use
scheduleas well as the exact way of administering them.  If applied around
the
plants, just on top of the soil, I would guess that my deer are going to have
quite the meal.  Would I hurt anything if I worked them into the soil?
I would appreciate anyone's educated guess or experience on this one.
Thanks.
Lynn
Greendale, WI
zone 5

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