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BabyBeet
150 Seeds
Qty: 1 - $3.50
SOWING
Generally 15 to 20 pounds of seed per acre (13 – 20 kg/hectare ); may be as low as 3 to 5 pounds for dryland seeding. Sow 1/2 pound per 1000 square feet. Use half these rates when mixed with grain or grass. Seed must be placed in contact with moist soil, but never deeper than 1/2”. For best survival, seed should be drilled to a depth of 1/4”. Seeding should be followed by cultipacking rolling to firm the soil around the seed. Severe compaction should be avoided. Companion crops are not recommended except where wind erosion may be a problem. Sow early in the season so germination will preclude weeds, alfalfa does not compete well with weeds early in the establishment sequence. For all sowing, plant 6-8 weeks before the first killing frost in the late summer to allow good establishment going into winter. Organic systems should plant 1/3 to 1/2 heavier to allow for some weed pressures.
BED PREPARATION
Seed bed should be finely pulverized, leveled, and firmed with soil moisture near the surface to help initiate germination. Low spots and dead furrows should be eliminated. Determined by seasonal temperature and moisture conditions. Most sowings are made from April to early June to allow root systems to develop before high temperatures and low moisture conditions slow growth rate. Late summer and early fall sowings must be in time to allow enough growth to minimize loss from winter injury.
ADAPTATION
Alfalfa does best on deep, permeable soil with an adequate moisture supply during the growing season. Most varieties very sensitive to poor drainage and compacted soil conditions which restrict root growth. Most productive on loam or loamy soils, well drained, with good moisture holding capacity or with adequate irrigation. Alfalfa has autotoxicity, which means it is difficult for alfalfa seed to grow in existing stands of alfalfa. Therefore, alfalfa fields are recommended to be rotated with other species, for example, corn or wheat, before reseeding. Effective annual precipitation needed: 12”.
FERTILIZING
Alfalfa is a heavy user of plant nutrients. A complete fertilizer program is essential to a long lived productive stand. Fertilizer and lime applications should be based on soil tests. Fall applications of lime prior to seeding are best to provide time for soil reaction. Potassium, sulfur and boron, when indicated by soil tests , should not be banded with the seed, but should be worked into the soil before seeding. Phosphorus may be applied effectively by banding 1/2 to 1” to the side or below the seed, or by shallow incorporation just prior to seeding. Inoculate for best performance.
GREEN MANURE
For best results, till under when in the flowering stage.
SHIPPING COST
25-lb., 50-lb. and larger sizes ship via ground transportation. Select the appropriate Bulk Shipping option at checkout. We may email you additional shipping costs separately based on your total order weight, zone and palleting costs.