Re: Applying alfalfa

At 6:04 PM -0500 1/23/99, Margot Kane <margotk@mindspring.com> wrote:

> My real question is how do you used the pellets.  Do you dig them into the
> soil in a perennial bed or sprinkle them around each plant or something
> different?  Do you figure something like a cup per plant or base it on the
> amount of ground you are trying to cover?

Rodale's New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening recommends applying
alfalfa meal  at the following rates:
      Low fertility soil: 50 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
   Medium fertility soil: 35 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
     High fertility soil: 35 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
The NPK is 5-1-2 and they mention that alfalfa contains traconatol, a
natural fatty-acid growth stimulant, plus trace minerals. The feed
store people say that these directions are fine for the pellets as the
meal.

Definitely work the alfalfa pellets into the soil. If you put them on
top they end up looking like wet dog food kibble--pretty yucky. I only
tried this on one plant but large quantites of alfalfa gone "bad" is
not something you would want to smell twice.

I don't know where people who live in the city would buy alfalfa
meal/pellets but I believe I've seen it in the suburbs at a horse/dog
supply place. At the suburban feed store last season I paid $7 for
50 lb. I believe large quantities are cheaper.






---
Peggy Enes (peggy@unicom.net)   Zone 5/6    NE KS     AHS Heat Zone 7


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