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Alfalfa

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

perennial☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 2b – Zone 9b

Alfalfa is a nitrogen-fixing legume prized as livestock forage and for improving soil health in agricultural settings. It produces small purple, pink, or yellow flowers and deep taproots that help break up compacted soil.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
fast
Size
1.5–2′ tall × 1–2′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

high
Zone 2bZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 2b to Zone 9b

pH Range

6.28.5
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 6.2 to 8.5

Soil Texture

Medium, Fine

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Herb

Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Mediterranean

Function & Care

biomass/mulchdynamic accumulatorerosion controlnitrogen fixerpollinator nectarywildlife benefitedible
Nitrogen Fixer · High

Edible Parts

leafseedshoot

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Years to Bearing
1 years
Propagation
seed

Companion Planting