Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits

Ever wondered if you can make use of an alfalfa meal in your garden? Alfalfa meal fertilizer can be used for other things but gardeners know there can be benefits from using it in their garden.

Alfalfa meal is a natural fertilizer that can be incorporated into your garden soil and drive great benefits for your plants’ growth.

If you are the one that likes to stick with organic fertilizer rather than synthetic fertilizer, then alfalfa meal is one natural fertilizer you can go for.

This natural fertilizer works great with different types of crops especially cole crops that include broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and so on.

The place of fertilizers cannot be underplayed in the growth of plants. With so many benefits this natural fertilizer offers; let’s look into what benefits our garden plants stand to gain using alfalfa meal fertilizer.

About Alfalfa Plant

Before we discuss the huge benefits of using the fertilizer, let’s mention a few things you should know about the Alfalfa meal:

• • Alfalfa is a richly leguminous perennial plant.

  • Derived by fermenting the adult seeds and plants of the plants.

  • The plant contains enormous nutritional benefits for other plants and soil-dwelling organisms.

  • Some of the major minerals which the plant may provide include Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Iron, Manganese, Boron Copper, Zinc, and other minerals In small proportions.

  • The alfalfa meal NPK analysis is 2.8-0.29-2.4, and it is an excellent addition to the compost pile for nitrogen. The fertilizer is entirely organic and non-GMO.

  • Used a great deal as a soil supplement. This is because it has the potential to re-energize the soil potential and increase the organic composition of the soil.

Can I Use Alfalfa Pellets As Fertilizer?

This alfalfa natural fertilizer can come in a meal or pellet for your garden use. The common type seen at the feed store is mostly the pellets. Use these pellets in your garden. All you need is to input a little extra work.

You can simply soak this pellet just to break them up. Then you get your resulting alfalfa meal.

Alfalfa For Garden: Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits

Using alfalfa meal in your garden as soil amendments and compost activator is a great idea. It will supply the soil in your garden with the required soil amendments especially after the soil has depleted its nutrients from the plants’ previous growing season.

Major Benefits Of Using Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer

Here are some of the major benefits of using alfalfa meal fertilizer in your garden.

1.    Nutrients Provided To The Soil

Known for the great array of nutrients it offers to the soil and plants on it. Some of the nutrients provided include:

• NPK Nutrient: Provides good NPK which is balanced. Can also help improve the soil quality. The NPK is usually placed somewhere around 3-1-2.

• Vitamins: In addition to other nutrients, vitamins such as A, B, and E are also present in a reasonable proportion in the meal.

• Minerals: So, minerals such as magnesium and iron are also present in substantial quantities in the meal.

Down to Earth Organic Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Mix 2.5-0.5-2.5, 5 lb

So, the presence of this wide variety of nutrients makes for the potent nature of the fertilizer.

2.    Multiple Purpose Use

The Alfalfa Meal fertilizer can serve multiple functions. Used as a mulch material, weed blocker, fertilizer for plants, and even as feed for livestock. The preparation of the Alfalfa plant may vary depending on the final purpose it is intended to serve.

3.    Excellent Crop Cover

Another major benefit of Alfalfa is that it serves as crop cover. When planted, it usually grows very fast and covers the soil. This makes it difficult for weeds to survive. It also has deep, strong roots which in most situations help to break down strong clay soil.

4.    Presence Of Triacontanol

One major benefit of this fertilizer is the presence of triacontanol. This is a naturally-occurring component that helps to promote healthy root development in plants. This component also helps in substantially improving the yield in crops. It also fixes the nitrogen content of the soil.

5.    Hold Moisture In The Soil

This fertilizer while absorbing much of its weight in water, it also holds moisture conveniently. Therefore, this aids the soil’s moisture retention.

6.    Nematodes Suppression

The use of this fertilizer can also help in suppressing to a great proportion the amount of nematodes in the soil.

How To Use Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer

Now we understand the huge advantage that comes with using alfalfa meal fertilizers. Let’s get into how to properly use the fertilizer:

• • So, in heavy applications, use about 50 pounds for 1,000 square feet.

  • For a medium application, about 25 pounds should be used for 1,000 square feet.

  • In light application, about 12 pounds of fertilizer should be used for 1,000 square feet.

For the best possible result to be attained, the following should be noted when using the fertilizers:

• • Alfalfa meal fertilizer is an alkaline substance. As such, it should not be used for plants that do well with acid soil.

  • After the alfalfa meal has been spread on the desired potion of land, rake it into the soil and water the soil.

  • The fertilizer is usually powdery and dusty. As such, a protective cover should be worn when it is being used to protect the face of users.

  • So, ensure to put leftover alfalfa meal in a good container to prevent mice from having access to it. Mice love the meal and putting it in soft bags would easily attract them.

FAQ’s

Conclusion On Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer Benefits

There is a need to use a supplement to improve plant growth and soil performance. So, the Alfalfa meal for plants has a great advantage over other soil supplements.

There is a wide array of benefits that the use of this fertilizer can give to the soil and plants. This fertilizer is very potent both for outdoor use and indoor plant use.

So, make sure to observe some of the key guides on how to use and apply this fertilizer.