Fall Seeding Alfalfa

By Karla Hernandez

For the most part late summer seeding can be an excellent time to establish alfalfa which will lead to productive stands the next growing season. The decision of whether to proceed with a late summer alfalfa seeding depends on the need for good quality forage the next spring, temperature, and available soil moisture.

Advantages of Late Summer Seeding

• Weed problems are usually less because the drier soil conditions reduce weed seed germination. Additionally, summer annual weeds that do germinate are typically killed by frost.
• Time available for proper seedbed preparation.
• Increased first year yield compared to spring seeding.
• Possibility of seeding alfalfa following summer harvest of small grains to serve as a cover crop which will provide numerous other benefits to most farm operations.

Disadvantages of Late Summer Seeding

• The increased risk that moisture shortage will limit establishment.
• Possibility of winter injury if plants do not become well established before a killing frost.
• If soil conditions are too dry at seeding time, the seeds may germinate too late to develop enough growth and carbohydrates to be stored in the root system which increases the chances of not surviving the winter.