Medicago sativa

Alfalfa

Common names: Luzerne, Ewiger Klee, Schneckenklee

Photo: Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a deep‑rooted legume that can develop taproots up to two metres deep, breaking up compacted soil layers. Its root nodules host nitrogen‑fixing bacteria, enriching the soil with atmospheric nitrogen. As a perennial green manure, it also provides valuable forage for livestock.

Care instructions

Sow alfalfa from May to August (weeks 18 to 34) in a fine‑crumpled, calcareous bed. It dislikes waterlogging but tolerates dry conditions well. Cut back the stand before flowering and leave the cuttings as mulch, or incorporate them into the soil before the next crop.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6.5–7.58.0

Soil type

loamy, well-drained, lime-loving, nutrient-rich

LightFull sun

HardinessHardy

Water needLow

Feeding

Light feeder

Companion planting

Good neighbors

cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

particularly well established

Leguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.

For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

carrot family (Apiaceae)

Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.

For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.

For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

Rather not

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

particularly well established

Allium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop‑rotation rule

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

Diseases & pests

1 relevant

From the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species. How to spot and prevent them is covered in full in the lexicon.

PesthighApr–Sep

Grub beetle

Phyllopertha horticola

Grubs are the larvae of the garden chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) and usually live for one year, or up to two years in cooler locations, in the soil where they eat roots and tubers.

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