🎋 How to Grow Alfalfa Seeds (Lucerne Grass)

Also known as:

• Hindi: लुसेर्न घास

• Tamil: அல்ஃபால்ஃபா புல்

• Telugu: అల్ఫాల్ఫా గడ్డి

• Malayalam: അല്‍ഫാല്‍ഫ പുല്‍

• Kannada: ಅಲ್ಫಾಲ್ಫಾ ಹುಲ್ಲು

• English: Alfalfa / Lucerne Grass

1. 🌱 Choose the Right Season

• Best time to sow: Early spring (Feb–Apr) or onset of monsoon (Jun–Jul)

• Ideal temperature: 18°C to 25°C for best germination and growth

2. 🌾 Seed Pre-treatment

• Soak seeds in cool water for 6–8 hours to enhance germination

• No chemical treatment needed — alfalfa seeds sprout quickly under right conditions

3. 🪴 Prepare the Growing Medium

• Use well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter

• Ideal mix: Garden soil + sand + compost (1:1:1)

• pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–7.5)

4. 🌿 Sowing the Seeds

• Sow shallowly, about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep

• For trays: space seeds evenly or broadcast

• In ground: use broadcasting or line sowing

• Cover lightly with soil or compost

• Mist gently to avoid washing away the seeds

5. 💧 Watering

• Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged

• Water gently every 1–2 days during early stages

• Once established, water only during dry periods

6. 🌞 Germination

• Germinates in 5–10 days under optimal conditions

• Ensure warmth and some humidity during early growth

• Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding if needed

7. 🌤️ Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Thrives in temperatures between 18°C and 30°C

• Avoid shady, low-lying, or waterlogged spots

8. 🌱 Transplanting (if started in trays)

• Can transplant when seedlings are 3–4 inches tall

• Gently lift and replant into prepared garden beds or containers

• Space plants around 4–6 inches apart

9. 🌿 Fertilization

• Mix compost or vermicompost into soil at planting

• Top-dress with organic manure every 2–3 months

• Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers — alfalfa fixes its own nitrogen

10. 🛡️ Pest & Disease Care

• Generally pest-free; may face occasional aphids or mites

• Use neem oil spray once in 10–15 days if needed

• Keep well-ventilated and remove any moldy or damaged leaves

11. 🌾 Growth & Harvest

• First cut in 45–60 days, then every 25–30 days

• Cut at 2–3 inches above the soil for regrowth

• Can be harvested 5–7 times a year depending on climate

🌟 Benefits of Alfalfa (Lucerne)

• High-protein green fodder for cattle, rabbits, and goats

• Improves soil fertility — natural nitrogen fixer

• Used as green manure, mulching material, and cover crop

• Deep roots help in soil structure and erosion control

• Pollinator-friendly — supports bees and beneficial insects