Alfalfa

Lucerne is a deep-rooted perennial plant and survives the winter in the Central European lowlands without protection; in spring it shoots again from the root. Leave the cut shoots standing after the last autumn cut so that they protect the root crown, and ensure free-draining soil, because winter wet harms it more than frost.

In the home garden you propagate lucerne practically exclusively by direct sowing. The best time is between mid-April and mid-August, as soon as the soil has warmed to about 5 to 10 °C. Prepare the bed thoroughly: loosen the soil deeply, prepare it to a fine, crumbly and well-settled tilth and remove all perennial weeds, because young lucerne is a weak competitor. Sow the seeds about 1 to 2 cm deep and then press the surface down well so that the seeds make good contact with the soil. Depending on soil temperature, the first seedlings come up after around 1 to 3 weeks; with warmer soil it goes faster. Lucerne prefers a sunny, lime-rich (pH rather neutral to slightly alkaline) and free-draining site. It does not tolerate waterlogging. As a deep-rooted perennial, it establishes particularly strongly after the first year and reliably sends up new shoots from the root crown. Sowing in late summer is possible, but should be finished by the end of August so that the young plants establish well before the first frost. Vegetative propagation by division or cuttings is not usual in the home garden and not worthwhile. Stick to sowing.