Alfalfa is a rare visitor to a private garden, but there are good reasons to grow it. As green manure on depleted beds, for example, or to enrich our menu. What role does the so-called seed strength play in their cultivation?
What is the ideal seed rate for alfalfa?
The recommended seed rate for alfalfa is 25-30 kg per hectare, which corresponds to 250-300 grams per 100 m², 60-75 grams per 25 m² or 2-3 grams per 1 m². When buying seeds, pay attention to the area size information on the packaging.
What is seed starch anyway?
Every plant needs enough space and light for he althy growth. In addition, its roots must have enough nutrients and water in the soil. If several specimens are grown in one area, the other plants are neighbors and competitors at the same time. When is the ideal density so that all plants thrive and people are satisfied with the harvest?
The seed strength is the determined sowing rate that promises an optimal result. It is usually given in kg per hectare. However, it can of course be calculated for any area size.
Calculating seed strength
Three factors play a role in calculating seed strength:
- the thousand grain mass (TKM)
- the germination ability
- the desired stock density
On the one hand there is the thousand grain mass (TKM), which indicates the weight of a thousand grains. This is a reliable value that indicates how many plants could theoretically sprout from one kilo of seed. Furthermore, the germination ability of the seed is taken into account, because not every seed germinates. The last point is the desired stock density.
Seed starch for alfalfa
The seed rate of alfalfa is given by experts as 25-30 kg per ha. This recommendation applies to pure alfalfa planting in spring. For you, we have broken down the seed strength into smaller cultivation areas:
- 250 to 300 grams per 100 m²
- this corresponds to an area of 10 x 10 m
- approx. 60 to 75 grams per 25 m²
- this corresponds to an area of 5 x 5 m
- approx. 2-3 grams per 1 m²
If alfalfa is sown together with other plant varieties, the seed strength is reduced significantly. However, these number games are less important for the private garden than for the commercial cultivation of alfalfa.
Buy seeds
You don't have to become a math genius before growing alfalfa. It is sufficient if you measure the size of the area that you want to sow with alfalfa and then calculate the area size. With this number you can start looking for seeds. The sales packaging usually indicates the area size for which the filled quantity is sufficient. You can't go wrong with this.
