In this article, I’m going to show you how to grow alfalfa sprouts from both soil and jar.
Alfalfa is a common vegetable which is belong to the famit fabaceae. It is scientifically known t Medicago sativa. Common names include Luerne and alfalfa. Alfalfa is a perennial legume but usually grown as annual vegetable. It is also grown for hay as livestock feeds and also to improve soil quality and fertility. It is also used for erosion control.
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Alfalfa is easy to grow and seeds can be sprouted indoors in jar or outdoors in soil. Alfalfa loves sun but do not plant the alfalfa in direct sun and wet environment. Sow seeds 0.5 inches deep in well-drained soil with pH that is near neutral. Leave 2-5 inches apart in row and 18-24 inches apart between rows.
For details on how to grow alfalfa sprouts in soil and jar, keep reading.
How to grow alfalfa sprouts in soil
Here is a step by step instructions:
1. Choose and buy your alfalfa seeds: this is very important if you want to save seeds of alfalfa after harvest. If you choose the right heirloom seeds, you can maintain good quality seeds without going to the market each year to buy seeds. Look for heirloom alfalfa seeds that are well adopt to your climatic conditions. This can be found from your local growers or gardeners. Do not grow a variety that is not use to your climatic conditions.
Tip: if you want to learn more about how to choose good seeds for growing, read this step by step instructions to choosing quality seeds. And if you want to buy seeds, read our step-by-step instructions on how to buy seeds.
2. Plant at the right time: the second step to growing a successful alfalfa sprouts is to plant your alfalfa seeds at the right time. For people who are living in the cooler climates, they can plant alfalfa seeds in spring. And those who are living in milder climates should plant alfalfa seeds in fall.
3. Choose the right garden spot: do not start your garden in a wrong place. after you have obtained your alfalfa seeds and the right time for planting comes, then choose the right garden spot. This is because planting alfalfa seeds in a wrong place will make all your energy, money, and time that you have invested to become wasted. So, choose the right garden spot.
Alfalfa loves full sun but plant in direct. Also, avoid planting alfalfa in damp or wet environment. Do not plant alfalfa where the heat is too much. Find a garden spot with a well-drained soil and an averagely organic matters with pH that range between 6.8-7.5.
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4. Prepare the garden spot: prepare the garden spot by loosening the top 10 inches of the soil with garden rake and fork. Remove all rocks, stones, debris, large plant roots, and weeds that will compete with the alfalfa. You can mix 2-5 inches of compost. Make rows and space them about 18-24 inches apart.
5. Sow your alfalfa seeds: sow your alfalfa seeds 0.5 deep and cover lightly with dirt. Leave about 2-5 inches of space between plants in row and 18+24 inches of space between rows. Sow seeds of alfalfa 10g per square meters. After planting, water the garden gently with water to keep the garden and seeds moist. After about 7-10 days, seeds will begin to germinate.
6. Take care of your garden: now, it is time to look after your alfalfa make the hardwork you pit pays up. Weed the garden to reduce competition. After germination, feed the the plant with slow-releasing fertilizer. Water regularly but avoid irrigating the alfalfa from leaves. Always water from the base. Watch for pests and diseases and control them.
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7. Harvest your alfalfa: if you are growing for livestock feeds, them harvest the plants at the early stage of growth. Harvest alfalfa when are they are still fresh and green. This helps you harvest good alfalfa with high nutrients content. However, if you are growing to improve soil quality and fertility, leave the alfalfa plants to fully mature or flower. You can then harvest the seeds and use next season. While the remaining parts of the alfalfa will be tilled into the soil.
Now, we have looked at how to grow alfalfa sprouts in soil, let us look at how to grow alfalfa sprouts in jar. This is very useful if you want to grow alfalfa for your personal consumption.
How to grow alfalfa sprouts in jar
Here is a step by step instructions:
To grow alfalfa sprouts, place your alfalfa seeds in a wide mouthed and big glass jar (to make it more convenient and professional, buy sprouting jar on Amazon). Place about 2 tablespoons of the alfalfa seeds in the glass jar containing alfalfa seeds and soak the seeds for about 3 hours in the water.
Use cheesecloth or any porous fibric such as white cotton cloth to cover the glass jar. Use a rubber band to secure the cheesecloth to the glass jar. Strain the water gently and place in a safe and well-ventilated area.
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Keep the jar upside down with the top of the jar facing down while the bottom of the jar facing up. This helps all the remaining water to drain out. It also helps air to properly pass in and out of the jar.
Rinse the seeds with water two times daily. Shake while rinsing. After 5-10 days, your alfalfa should sprout and should be ready to be consumed. Collect the alfalfa sprouts from the glass jar and rinse well with water before eating.
Read also: How To Grow Asparagus From Seeds And Cuttings
Conclusion
In this article, I discussed how to grow alfalfa sprouts in soil and jar. I hope you will find this article helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.
