(Read preface) 



REQUIREMENTS AND IJETHODS OF GROV/ING ALFALFA 



Perennial 



Time to Maturity - 1 year (1st cutting about 6 r.onths from planting) 

 Life - 12 years, (range 2-30 years) 



Soil Requirements - 



Surface : Wide range from clay to fertile sand. Level, loose, open 



loamy soil best. 

 Subsoil : Continuous, deep, well drained, even in texture. 

 Depth : 5 feet or more. Should be alkaline in reaction emd contain 



nodule- forming bacteria. 



Climatic Requirements- 

 Water Requirements- 

 Calendar of Operations- 



Grov/n almost generally over California. Long grow- 

 ing season preferred. 



30" (rainfall or irrigation) or more. 



Varieties:- Common (Chili) 



Seeded ; Seed tested for germination and purity (especially for 



dodder) 

 Time : Fall - October or November, or spring - January 15 - 



April 1, when no danger from severe frosts. Mostly 

 February and March. Nurse crop usually omitted. 

 Quantity Seed: 18# (range 10 to 20#) 



Method and Distance : Broadcast. Sometimes drilled. Harrowed, 

 dragged or brushed in. 

 Irrigation : 



After maturity, irrigated once or twice, depending upon the soil, 

 between cuttings, April to October; irrigated 

 thoroughly 1 time in winter (December or January) 

 if soil is retentive. 



Harvest- 



When : VHien l/lO in bloom or new shoots start. Usually every 4-6 



weeks, beginning April 15, until December 1. 



How : Mowed, raked, cocked, stacked, baled. Raked in v;indrov;s tv/o 



hours to two days after cutting - put in cocks as 

 soon as possible after raking; cured for tv/o to 

 ten days in cocks. Then baled from field or else 

 stacked in field. Sometimes "baled from stacks. 



