Alfalfa
Seed # 54
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 54
- Seed Name
- Alfalfa
- Variety
- Not recorded
- Category
- Herb
- Plant Family
- Fabaceae
- Plant Type
- Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Apr 1
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Aug 31
- Plantable Months
- April, May, August
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- Apr 1 – Aug 31
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 7–14 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 45-75°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4-1/2 in
- Plant Spacing
- Broadcast or 2–6 in
- Row Spacing
- Not recorded
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Moderate moisture during establishment; deep taproot provides substantial drought tolerance once established
- Soil Preference
- Deep, fertile, well-drained soil; performs best near neutral pH and does poorly in persistently waterlogged soil
- Minimum Container Size
- 3-5 gal; 12+ in deep
- Plant Height
- 24-36 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Perennial
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- Yes
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Medicinal Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
No companion relationships recorded.
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Aug 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–80 days to first cut
Container Friendly: Not ideal
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Sprouts/cover crop/herbal tradition
Succession / Reusable Notes: Deep-rooted cover crop; best where it can stay.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs good drainage.
Companion Plants: Cover crop beds, orchard edges, pollinator strips
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Small vegetables if too close/competitive
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Alfalfa is a winter-hardy perennial forage legume widely grown in the north-central United States. Spring establishment or a carefully timed late-summer seeding works in Southeast Michigan.
Germination: Use a firm seedbed and sow only 1/4-1/2 inch deep. Appropriate Rhizobium inoculation is useful where compatible bacteria are not already present.
Harvest: For foliage or forage, harvest before plants become overly mature and woody. If seed is desired, leave flowering stems uncut until pods mature.
Seed Saving: Alfalfa depends heavily on insect pollination for seed production. Allow pods to mature and dry before threshing seed.
Special Care: Develops a very deep taproot. Avoid poorly drained ground. Established alfalfa can inhibit establishment of new alfalfa seedlings through autotoxicity.
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/forage-selection/forage-legumes — Medicago sativa identity, perennial forage use, deep taproot, drought tolerance, seed production and 1/4-1/2 inch planting depth
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/horse-pastures-and-facilities/frost-seeding-forages — alfalfa establishment limitations and autotoxicity of established stands
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]