Alfalfa/Lucerne Meal (nitrogen/ triacontanol)

Alfalfa/Lucerne Meal (nitrogen, triacontanol)

Alfalfa Meal, known as lucerne meal in New Zealand, is ground lucerne hay from an organic farm. It is a mild nitrogen fertiliser and soil conditioner for beds, potting mixes, compost and worm bins.

At a glance

• Type: single input amendment (ground lucerne hay)
• Analysis: NPK about 3:1:2 (estimated, no test on file)
• Use for: top dressing, potting mixes, compost accelerator, worm bins
• Rate: half a cup per 30 litres of potting soil, or a quarter to half a cup per plant as a top dress
• Origin: grown on an organic farm in New Zealand

What it is

Alfalfa Meal (Medicago sativa, lucerne in New Zealand) is the whole plant cut, dried and ground. Ours is purchased from an organic farm. Lucerne is a legume, so the hay carries more nitrogen than most dried plant material, along with the sugars and fibre that compost and soil life feed on.

Lucerne is also the plant in which the growth regulator triacontanol was first identified; growers use lucerne meal partly for that reason. We do not have a triacontanol figure for this meal.

What it does

• Adds nitrogen slowly as the hay breaks down, with some potassium and a little phosphorus.
• Feeds soil biology and speeds up a compost pile as a green, nitrogen rich ingredient.
• Growers use it as a mild all round top dress on worn soils between crops.

Analysis

NPK = 3 - 1 - 2 (estimated; no batch test on file)

How to use

• Potting soil: half a cup per 30 litres when making the mix.
• Top dress: a quarter to half a cup per plant.
• Compost pile or worm bin: a handful at a time.

Learn more in fifteen seconds

• Nitrogen: what it does
• Carbon decides when N shows up
• Nitrogen for the whole crop

Handling and storage

• Wear a mask to avoid inhaling particles and open in a well ventilated area.
• Wear gloves and eye protection, and wash hands after use.
• Once opened, keep sealed and dry.