Tom Tucker 586
New Member
Alfalfa meal is a made from alfalfa, a green manure crop containing small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Alfalfa meal is nothing more than ground alfalfa leaves and stems. As a legume, the alfalfa plant absorbs nitrogen from the air. Thus, its foliage is a significant source of nitrogen when added to soil. As the meal decomposes, it releases nitrogen as well as smaller quantities of phosphorus, potassium (its analysis is 2.5-1-1), and micronutrients. It is high in Vitamin A, plus Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Choline, Proline, Bentaine, Folic, Ca, Mg, and other valuable minerals. It also includes key sugars, starches, proteins, fiber, plus co-enzymes, 16 amino acids and Triacontanol, a natural fatty-acid growth stimulant.
Alfalfa Meal is a reasonable alternative to blood meal as a source of nitrogen and is nicely balanced with phosphorous and potassium. It's carbohydrates and protein make it an excellent soil conditioner by encouraging microbial activity in the soil. Alfalfa Meal works as an organic fertilizer, utilizing microbacteria to break down and produce heat that accelerates the decomposition of the minerals within the meal.
Rhizobacteria activity further dissolves the nutrients, making them more readily available for use by the plant.Alfalfa products are best used in teas, mulches, or as topdressings.
Alfalfa Tea: Put one cup alfalfa meal in a 5 gallon bucket. Fill bucket with water, let it sit from 1 to 4 days. The result will be a thick tea. Apply generously to the root area of shrubs and flowers or use as a foliar spray after straining the solids out. The longer it brews, the better it is but the worse it will smell.*(This is just one of the simplest tea recipes that I could find.)
New Plantings: Mix 1/2 cup per plant into the soil. Existing Plants: Mix 1/2 to 1 cup of Alfalfa Meal to a depth of 4-6 inches.Beds: Work 2-5 lbs of Alfalfa meal into each 100 square feet of bed area.
TYPICAL ANALYSIS
Nitrogen (N) 2.5%
Phosphate (P2O5) 0.5%
Potash (K2O) 2.2%
Sulfur (S) 0.25%
Calcium (Ca) 1%
Release time 1-4 months
Alfalfa Meal is a reasonable alternative to blood meal as a source of nitrogen and is nicely balanced with phosphorous and potassium. It's carbohydrates and protein make it an excellent soil conditioner by encouraging microbial activity in the soil. Alfalfa Meal works as an organic fertilizer, utilizing microbacteria to break down and produce heat that accelerates the decomposition of the minerals within the meal.
Rhizobacteria activity further dissolves the nutrients, making them more readily available for use by the plant.Alfalfa products are best used in teas, mulches, or as topdressings.
Alfalfa Tea: Put one cup alfalfa meal in a 5 gallon bucket. Fill bucket with water, let it sit from 1 to 4 days. The result will be a thick tea. Apply generously to the root area of shrubs and flowers or use as a foliar spray after straining the solids out. The longer it brews, the better it is but the worse it will smell.*(This is just one of the simplest tea recipes that I could find.)
New Plantings: Mix 1/2 cup per plant into the soil. Existing Plants: Mix 1/2 to 1 cup of Alfalfa Meal to a depth of 4-6 inches.Beds: Work 2-5 lbs of Alfalfa meal into each 100 square feet of bed area.
TYPICAL ANALYSIS
Nitrogen (N) 2.5%
Phosphate (P2O5) 0.5%
Potash (K2O) 2.2%
Sulfur (S) 0.25%
Calcium (Ca) 1%
Release time 1-4 months
