The Sequel - Lucerne
Kate from Hills and Plains Seedsavers left a comment regarding my Lucerne planting...
...and this morning gave me a reminder! 
Information on Growing Lucerne:
I bought this seed from Green Harvest They have 2 varieties one spring, summer vigorous 'Hunter River' and this one 'Sequel' that's winter vigorous. It comes with the necessary inoculate but once this is in the soil you shouldn't need to use it again.
They recommend planting both in March - May or Aug - Oct in Temperate areas.
I may be a bit early with this lot but I like to get things established before the real cold temps hit in May.
Up here it grows well after rainand lately that could be anytime!
...if we are lucky!
When we first established the Fruit Tree area I sowed Lucerne between the trees. This I sowed direct and as we had a more reliable rainfall then (14 years ago) it grew with little extra watering. These days I prefer to start it off in cell trays.
Once it's established it needs little extra water due to it's very deep root system that also brings up (mines) soil nutrients from lower levels in the ground.
From the Green Harvest site's planting tips:
"Make sure you've corrected any nutrient deficiency and have a non-acidic pH Lucerne won't grow if pH is less than 5.5
Seed should be covered with 2-3times the width of seed and the soil firmed.
Should be irrigated for germination if not raining."
Inoculating the seed is important if Lucerne has never been grown in your soil before. I didn't inoculate that first crop though and it grew well. So the necessary Rhizobia must have already been present in the soil.
Reasons I grow Lucerne - Medicago sativa:- It's a valuable companion plant,
- It's a legume that fixes nitrogen (with correct rhizobia present in the soil; it's the relationship between these bacteria and the nodules on the legume roots that do this)
- It's flowers attract beneficial insects to the garden
- Important in my garden is that it is drought tolerant once established.
- It's a multi use plant; fodder, cut-mulch, and the above, it also protects the soil from drying out and suppresses weed growth.
- It is a valuable food for the chooks!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
9 comments:
Thanks for that. I will get the right one this time and sow it when this hot weather is over - if ever! Maybe, just maybe it will all come to an end with some cool autumn rains!!
Thanks for all of the fantastic info on growing lucerne... How did you direct drill it into your garden?? We have a sowing rig but it is way too big to get it into where the orchid is going to be. I love reading through all of your gardening advice its sooo helpful!!
Jodie
We live in hope don't we Kate...looks like a final burst of summer heat this week.
Hi Jodie
It was only a small area that I sowed and I just raked the seed in...was easy!
From memory, the area had recently been rotary hoed.
It took off so fast here, must have fluked putting it in at the perfect time! But that was back in wetter times.
It helped having moist/damp soil to sow it into.
As I said now I prefer to start the seedlings off in cell trays.
Known here also as 'green manure' I grew some nitrogen fixers over here one Winter. They really benefit the soil as much goodness can be leached out. Easy to dig in the soil in Spring. Looks just like a broad bean!
I decided to grow a variety of seeds for a green manure crop. My thinking was that if I was going to grow green manure I might as well grow some edible stuff. So I planted barley, parsley, coriander, fenugreek and beansprouts. We ended up with heaps to eat and plenty to dig in. We left some to flower to attract bees It was fun to do and I shall do this again after this hot spell.
Hi Matron and Maggie
Green manure crops are very beneficial.
I use annuals for that...Lucerne, being a perennial, I prefer to grow to cut for mulch etc.
I can get about ten years out of a planting so it's very worthwhile especially when I don't need to water it.
I just need to keep it out of the way of those scratchy toed chookies. They love it! :)
Wow Scarecrow, I was thinking of asking you for some advice on how to grow Lucerne in a backyard situation. I have just received mine from Green Harvest yesterday. I was planning to plant mine around the fruit trees (to start with, it may end up all over the yard :) )
Have you used the inoculant? if so what is the easiest way to use it?
Hi ButterflyGirl
I have used inoculant at times and would suggest you use it in your area for a new planting.
It adheres to the seeds best to the seeds if added to water then mixed with the seeds.
This makes sowing the seed difficult on a larger scale...I've seen others just mix it dry with the seeds, which I think would be OK to do.
Try to have the ground moist when direct planting...rain would be nice wouldn't it!
Post a Comment
Thank you for leaving your comments.