Alfalfa : Natural and fresh

[JackTheGrower]

I live in an area of California where Alfalfa is grown so I have the privilege of knowing about the crop from an observer’s point of view.
This season I thought to do some photos shoots on alfalfa.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Alfalfa: Turning to Wikipedia

"Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), also known as Lucerne, Purple Medic and Trefoil (Arabic: البرسيم الحجازي), is a perennial flowering plant cultivated as an important forage crop.

Alfalfa is one of the most important legumes used in agriculture. The US is the largest alfalfa producer in the world. The leading alfalfa growing states (within the U.S.A.) are California, South Dakota, and Wisconsin."[/COLOR]

With that said I have a personal experience to share.

Imaging the sweet smell of honey on the soft breeze on a summers day and you have what it is like to sit in a field of alfalfa that is ready to harvest




With the Bees busy gathering nectar and the sweet summer day here are a few shots

 

[JackTheGrower]

I brought home two bags of fresh alfalfa and thought to puree in a blender the alfalfa and in a way I was successful so allow me to share what I discovered.





















I expected that the blender would chop up all the plant material but I was wrong. The left over fibers were squeezed for all the liquid I could get out of it and then spread in a pot as mulch.

The liquid was then diluted and is being tested on catnip and the other plants I have outside.

My indoor planter is not in need of nitrogen ATM

I am impressed that I used less than half a bag of alfalfa and I feel I have a rich liquid.

I welcome feed back on how this compares to tea made from dry alfalfa.

 

[jaykush]

awesome thread. i need to get me some alfalfa seeds and grow my own. im sure the plants love that stuff to death. the left overs would go great in the compost pile.

 

[Relik]

Fresh alfalfa sounds like some bomb feed. Too bad customs seized the seeds I had brought back from Australia, I guess I'll have to find another source.

Let us know how it turns, good luck!

Peace

 

[JackTheGrower]

awesome thread. i need to get me some alfalfa seeds and grow my own. im sure the plants love that stuff to death. the left overs would go great in the compost pile.

I was suprised that the stalks didn't chop up better but I'm positive everything less tough became a puree.

I will report on how the catnip does. I haven't tried fresh like this before.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Fresh alfalfa sounds like some bomb feed. Too bad customs seized the seeds I had brought back from Australia, I guess I'll have to find another source.

Let us know how it turns, good luck!

Peace

Sorry to hear about your customs issues. We can bomb children in the middle east but a plant we cannot have.

Yeah watch this thread for how it looks to me... This is my first time with fresh alfalfa.

I'm thinking we gardeners could process fresh and freeze the liquid for later.

I don't know if I made it too strong or whatnot. The catnip I'm growing should be a good measure..
That is if whatever is eating it leaves enough to grow. And no, it's not a cat.
Prolly some moth larve or other muncher.
The catnip is growing in my homemade soil and I'll bet it tasty to the little muncher.

 

[reddy1]

thanks for posting.

my family has farmed alfalfa for 3 generations. as long as the japanese are paying high dollar for their cattle feed it can be a very profitable crop.

 

[gromer]

Man thats awesome wish I had a source of fresh alfalfa.Great pics also!!

 

[Storm Crow]

To get alfalfa seeds....

To get alfalfa seeds....

Just hit your local health food store! Folks like to sprout their own for salads and it's nice on sandwiches too, when lettuce prices are up. You only need a little, a couple of ounces of seeds, so don't be put off by the "per pound" price!

To make sprouts, just get a glass jar, some thin cloth- cheese cloth is good, gauzey stuff, and a rubber band. Put the seeds (try a tablespoonful or less) in the jar, use the cloth and rubber band to make a top, add water, let sit over night. In the morning, just tip the jar and let it drain. Rinse the seeds, and drain again. Set in a well lit window sill. From now until you decide they are big enough to eat, all you have to do is rinse and drain twice a day! The cloth top keeps just enough moisture in to keep them moist for the 12 hours. They are good for you, as well as your plants! The leaves from the plants make a nice soothing tea.

 

[Suby]

Hey JTG,

that looks amazing, the broth looks really rich.
I have no doubt you`ll get good results from a frsh source as opposed to a dry source, the active hormone is so much more potent when harvested fresh I`m sure there is a significant diff.
Did you check the ph of that broth?
Keep us posted, as usual good post/thread.

Peace
S

 

[JackTheGrower]

Hey JTG,

that looks amazing, the broth looks really rich.
I have no doubt you`ll get good results from a frsh source as opposed to a dry source, the active hormone is so much more potent when harvested fresh I`m sure there is a significant diff.
Did you check the ph of that broth?
Keep us posted, as usual good post/thread.

Peace
S

Thanks Suby.

It's new to me..

No I didn't check the PH .. My meter is broken.. I wonder what that PH is?


I'll go get a new meter. I know it's an important bit of information to many gardeners here.

 

[Relik]

Hi folks! Storm Crow, thanks for the tips regarding alfalfa at the health store. I've often wondered if sprouts would be as nutritional/efficient as mature plants. I guess they could do the trick, as most sprouts are very rich, however there's something appealing in the idea of cutting some fresh alfalfa from the garden to make a tea... but I guess I could let them grow wild just to see...

Keep it safe peace

 

[Suby]

Thanks Suby.

It's new to me..

No I didn't check the PH .. My meter is broken.. I wonder what that PH is?


I'll go get a new meter. I know it's an important bit of information to many gardeners here.

Don't go spending money on my account, I'm not a ph nut I was just curious.


S

 

[JackTheGrower]

I've been on of those who believe if the admendments are reasonable the microherd works things out myself...

Still I'm wondering now...

Was trying to buy a cheepie PH meter but all they had was moisture meters?

Like we can't tell if the soil is dry and need to spend $8 ?

 

[Suby]

I find the soil probes totally useless, a family member with a greehouse told me that unless the probe cost you a few hundred dollars it is not very accurate.

I trust in the microherd..but you have to factor everything in with a little know-how.

You have to be a total idiot to underwater pot, the minute they droop hit them and they're fine, I find overwatering a common problem though.

S
S

 

[JackTheGrower]

I am seeing a positive response to the alfalfa liquid in the catnip.


I will make alfalfa liquid again and may add some liquid bull kelp if I have some left over around here.

I'm offering a series of base photos. That way we can see growth changes.

Interesting growth parallels in how the catnip grows IMO to marijuana.. The Axial limb growth is what I mean.

Oh the catnip has been munched on by something but I hope the new growth will be a good measure.


This soil was made from "store bought" materials and I believe I posted a link to it's composting so this is a good point of reference IMO.

 

[Guest]

Alfalfa is a great cover crop too, then just mix it into your soil. Nice thread, will have to try pressing some the next time I get a chance.

 

[JackTheGrower]

Alfalfa is a great cover crop too, then just mix it into your soil. Nice thread, will have to try pressing some the next time I get a chance.

I believe the liquid is good.

I've been busy with a lady so I've missed the past couple of days.

I will make an effort to get some updates in.

If my initial observation holds then the alfalfa liquid is a safe and valid amendment.

I will be trying it in my "cover crop" thread in the next day or so but, is see the signs of good growth in the catnip.

 

[Guest]

I believe the liquid is good.

I've been busy with a lady so I've missed the past couple of days.

I will make an effort to get some updates in.

If my initial observation holds then the alfalfa liquid is a safe and valid amendment.

I will be trying it in my "cover crop" thread in the next day or so but, is see the signs of good growth in the catnip.

Oh my GAWD! You choose a female and her companionship over us????? Has Yummybud heard of this?

 

[Suby]

Oh my GAWD! You choose a female and her companionship over us????? Has Yummybud heard of this?

lmfao-finnaly a Yummybud joke in the organics forum, it had to happen eventually.

JTG women are much more important than us nerds her in the organics forum, besides we can't (and won't) get busy with ya ....
My women always take priority over my "girls".

S