Organic Garden Compost and Alfalfa

Afalfa provides nutrients to the soil for better plant growth.

Growing an organic garden is best accomplished by adding composted organic materials to the soil before and after planting to add minerals to the soil that are essential for plant growth. Nitrogen is one of these minerals and one that can easily become depleted.

Alfalfa in the Compost

Average garden compost contains approximately 1 percent nitrogen and the longer the compost ages, the more nitrogen is lost. Adding freshly composted or chopped alfalfa to the mix is an effective way to add nitrogen to the compost and in turn add it to the soil.

Alfalfa as a Composting Soil Additive

Alfalfa pellets, typically used for animal feed, can be added directly to the soil before planting a garden. These pellets will compost directly into the soil and release nitrogen over the next one to four months.

Alfalfa as a Prior Crop

Alfalfa can be planted in a garden early in the season or during the end of the season before the garden is to be planted. Till young alfalfa into the soil and add organic compost before planting. This is an effective way to add more nitrogen into the soil as well as loosen the soil for later planting since alfalfa has an extensive root system.

References

• University of Vermont: Sources of Nitrogen
• Maryland Cooperative Extension: Home & Garden
• University of Massachusetts: Nitrogen Credits for Previous Crop