Bulk alfalfa meal for San Jose area rose gardners

16 years ago

On another recent thread, Patricia suggested I simply buy alfalfa meal instead of the pellets and try to break them down. I had never seen the meal for sale in my area. I asked around, and apparently in this area no one makes plain meal any more. It is either the pellets or meal with molasses.

But finally an excellent business (Sam's Downtown Feed) referred me to a small family-run mill in Morgan Hill called Feather Haven Mill. They don't offer it ordinarily, but if you call and request, they will make some in 50 pound bags. The price is the same as their regular alfalfa, $9.95 for a 50 pound bag. It can take as long as a week, but next Friday I'll be driving down to Morgan Hill to get my six bags.

I thought I'd pass this along to other interested rose gardeners in my area. This has long been a point of frustration to me. And my thanks to Patricia, who spurred me to get up and do something about it!

Rosefolly

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Comments (12)

gbebeh
16 years ago
This is a dumb question but what is the difference between alfalfa meal and regular alfalfa? Can you make alfalfa tea with regular alfalfa?

thanks
patricianat
16 years ago
Rosefolly, so happy you found it and price is great.
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rosefolly
Original Author
16 years ago
Gbebeh, alfalfa pellets are made of alfalfa meal compressed into nuggets. I would imagine you could use either one for making tea.

The reason I wanted to find the meal is because I want to spread it on the ground as a fertilizer (NPK around 3-2-2 or 2-1-2). If you spread the pellets they take a long time to break down and can attract rodents. I want to spread it, rake it in, water it, and cover it with mulch.

Patricia, I am delighted, and I thank you for giving me the push I needed.
caview
16 years ago
Rosefully, thank you so much - this is great information!

One thought though: from what I've heard alfalfa gets pretty hot, so they don't recommend digging it in.. Once think I like about pellets (and we also spread bags upon bags of it in our garden), is that it breaks slowly...

But I am sure if spread thinly it'll be great, but then you don't have this slow-release effect...

I am also now very careful not to put it too close to the stems as it will rot perenials if too close...

All the very best,
Tanya
cemeteryrose
16 years ago
Paula - I've found that alfalfa meal forms a water-resistant mat unless you scratch it into the surface. I've had no problems with it burning my roses, but certainly wouldn't just spread it on the surface.
Anita
rosefolly
Original Author
16 years ago
Anita and Tanya - I'm planning to scuffle it lightly into the surface all over the garden along with an organic fertilizer mix, then cover with a bit of compost and mulch. I've used the pellets in the past, but in addition to attracting rats and ground squirrels the pellets formed the thick mat Anita described as soon as the alfalfa got wet and started to break down. Arrgghhh! I'm hopeful that the meal can be incorporated into the surface more easily than the pellets.

I should have been clearer -- spread and scuffle in.
Embothrium
16 years ago
As with any fertilizer, I'd want to find out some specific reason why it would benefit my particular soil before buying and bothering with this stuff.
caview
16 years ago
Paula, sounds very good! Do let us know how it goes -- I'll be making the trip as well!! Tanya
jbfoodie
16 years ago
E.B. Stone Alfalfa Meal in 10lb bags go for $15 in my neck of the woods. So, it would almost be worth driving to Morgan Hill for the difference in the price of gas, especially for larger amounts of the stuff. Unfortunately, I only need about 20lbs, so I paid the price for the E.B. Stone at my local nursery. Next time I may try the feed stores. The E.B. Stone meal NPK is 2-0-3.
bluesibe
16 years ago
I see a roadtrip for LA and moi. It's always fun to visit and explore new places to buy something.
rosefolly
Original Author
16 years ago
Roadtrips are fun, but be sure to call in advance and order it. They don't keep it on hand. It is a special order.

Rosefolly
berndoodle
16 years ago
The specific reason to apply this stuff is that it works. We already know that alfalfa contains the growth hormone Triacontanol. We also know that it is relatively high in protein for a legume, so it has nitrogen content. What else do we need to know? It's organic matter, and it's cheap. If we wait for a university to study how it works, we'll all be too old to care when the results are finally published. At the rate of a cup per plant, it's hardly going to overburden the soil or the watershed with organic matter.

Bulk alfalfa meal for San Jose area rose gardners

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gbebeh

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Bulk alfalfa meal for San Jose area rose gardners

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