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Alfalfa Pellets Fertilizer | HOW TO Use Alfalfa Pellets in the Garden

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alfalfa pellets fertilizer tipsUSE ALFALFA TO FERTILIZE ROSES AND OTHER PLANTS 

Using alfalfa at the base of roses is an effective method to give them a jumpstart in spring.

WHAT IS ALFALFA

Alfalfa is a nitrogen-rich legume used as livestock feed and found at farms and farm supply stores in pellet form.

WHAT ARE THE BENFITS OF USING ALFALFA IN THE GARDEN?

Alfalfa encourages microbial activity in the soil, breaks down quickly, and stimulates plant growth.

Do you stay away from synthetic fertilizers, maybe forage around your area for natural options? Alfalfa is an awesome alternative to chemical fertilizers. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE USES OF ALFALFA IN THE GARDEN?

USE ALFALFA TO RECYCLE OLD POTTING SOIL

Potting soil can literally die after one season. If you use the kind full of synthetic chemicals, the plants will suck the life out of it, and you will be left with dead, clumpy dust.

You can rejuvenate old potting soil with alfalfa. Dump it all in a huge tub or wheelbarrow. Remove old roots and debris, mix in some alfalfa and wait a month before using again (if possible). Even better, add in some compost and kelp leaves along with the alfalfa to introduce soil organisms again to the planting medium and to increase microbial activity and eventually the nutrient content in the soil.

In the future, avoid bagged, miracle-type potting soils. 

how to use alflfa in the garden

ALFALFA IS AN AWESOME COMPOST ACCELERATOR

The nitrogen and organic matter in alfalfa will rev up the compost pile and create heat as it decomposes. Use it alongside “brown” ingredients. See our awesome list of everything brown and green you can compost at home. 

USE ALFALFA AS A SOIL AMENDMENT

Work alfalfa into the soil a month before planting. I use horse feed (pure alfalfa) and sprinkle about a cup on top of moist soil for every 3′ x 3′ area – supplies nitrogen, potassium, trace minerals and growth stimulants in the early stages of growth.

WHAT PLANTS BENEFIT FROM ALFALFA?

There are many garden vegetables, herbs and flowers that will benefit from alfalfa:

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Collards
  • Corn
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Mustard Greens
  • Rhubarb
  • Roses

Alfalfa fertilizer for roses

Is alfalfa good for roses? Yes, especially in spring before they start to flower. Alfalfa has lots of nitrogen, so you don’t want to wait until bloom time to apply it.

HOW DO YOU USE ALFALFA IN THE EDIBLE GARDEN?

The simplest way to use alfalfa for both edible and ornamental plants is to apply a small handful of pellets around each plant in spring. Or mix with water and use as a soil drench. Use early in the growth cycle.

ARE THERE ANY PLANTS THAT DON’T LIKE ALFALFA?

There are two notes of caution, and they are less about specific plants and more about timing.

  1. Avoid applying alfalfa during late growth of any plant
  2. Don’t use alfalfa for plants that are going dormant

Check out this awesome quick reference card we made that simplifies how you can use alfalfa in the garden.  

Alfalfa fertilizer recipes

Alfalfa is an effective fertilizer for roses and other vegetables and garden plants. Remember, alfalfa fertilizer timing is important. Use it early in the growth cycle. A small handful scattered around each plant is all you need to encourage vigorous growth.

We use homemade soil amendments all the time at Home Grown Fun, so much so we wrote a big eBook about it. Check it out and also consider our guide on composting with worms. These eBooks are not clickbait or pilfered information from the Internet!   Learn how we recycle materials in the garden, how to safely use manure, and get references to support the concepts.

We consider ourselves experts at composting with red wiggler worms and have techniques that will get you castings faster. It will surprise you how easy it is.