Re: CULT: Alfalfa pellets

On Wed, 2 Jul 1997 Dana Brown wrote:

> The pellets we use are for horses.  They are bigger around than a pencil
> and @ 1" long.  Hope this helps.

When I asked for alfalfa at my local farmer's coop, the only thing they
could offer me were pellets for horses that also contained molasses, a lot
of added vitamins and minerals, and other things.  (I don't think they
said they contained corn, which I understand acts as a growth inhibitor
and is therefore very undesirable.)  The same with the alfalfa pellets for
rabbits.  I didn't think I wanted to pay for these extra additives and was
worried that molasses might attract other critters to the beds.  

Is it important to have pure alfalfa, or is it perhaps some of these other
additives that contribute to the "magic" results of using "alfalfa"? 

I was given the name of one supplier in Pennsylvania who distributes pure
alfalfa pellets under the name "Alfa-Bits", but I can't find anyone in my
local area willing to order from that supplier.  I eventually located a
local source for pure alfalfa MEAL, which, along with superphosphate, I
mixed with the soil in the hole at planting time last year.  About 1 1/2
to 2 cups alfalfa and 1 cup superphosphate in a hole 2-3 feet in diameter. 
The results were dramatic--vigorous growth, beautiful dark blue-green
color to the foliage, and less leaf spot.  I don't know if the absence of
leaf spot can be attributed to the alfalfa or not, but for whatever
reason, those clumps planted with alfalfa are much healthier. 

Everything planted this year will get the alfalfa for sure.  I have been
planting in the same soil for years and the beds really show it--except
where I introduced alfalfa.  I don't have the time, energy, space, or
woman-power to do soil replacement or to move everything and solarize, so
I have to settle for soil amendment, and this seems to be working.  I
also use a little compost and/or manure when I have it, but I don't always
have it in the quantity needed.

Those clumps not dug and replanted this year will get a top dressing with
alfalfa.  Dennis Stoneburner swears by this treatment.  Given the recent
postings on problems of top dressing with pellets, maybe it is just as
well that I have to use the meal, but it is not as pleasant to work with
as I think pellets would be.  It is awfully dusty.  

Lois Rose, in Central Virginia 
25 mi. SW of Fredericksburg in southern Spotsylvania County
on a little hill overlooking my murkey farm pond in the middle of 50 acres
where the JIs are about done, except for the very late SUMMER STORM, and
where I am going to spend my July 4th weekend in a cloud of alfalfa dust.
USDA Zone 7; peak TB bloom May 15
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index