How Early Do You Apply Alfalfa Tea?

16 years ago

Just wondering. I was actually thinking of applying it as soon as I finished pruning. That would put me applying it in around 2 weeks. I've never done it so early in the year, but was wondering when others get their first batch down.

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Comments (6)

sunnishine
16 years ago
I am no expert but I would think as soon as most chances of a late freeze that would damage the new growth has passed. We are recommended to start fertilizing in my area which is about 1 month after pruning so that is when I do it. Since you have such a short growing season I would be tempted just like you.

Buccaneer and Corpus Christi are doing great BTW....

Sunni
carolfm
16 years ago
Mike, I put mine down when I finish pruning. I was told years ago that it wouldn't start working until the soil warmed up. So far, it has worked just fine doing it this way.

Carol
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Hoov, our last frost date is March 15. We are having weather in the 60-70's. Generally we are finished with the 27-28 degree night weather here by this time. I dont want to jump the gun....have lots of Vintage bands in 1 gallon pots that are doing well.....I was wanting to assist their root system growth - thought about even some very diluted fish emulsion, but I put that in the alfalfa tea, so wondered if that would be too early to apply. Or should I just keep them giving them nothing but water until March. What do you think? Judith
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I use alfalfa pellets in with my roses. Last year, they only had feed at the store (no pellets) so I decided to try to make tea. I used a 35-gallon plastic garbage can. And yes, it stunk, lol. I honestly don't remember if I used it on my perennials, but I did use it on the annuals in my cutting garden. Might have done the veggies too, but don't remember. The worst thing for me was not the stink, but having to lug a watering can all over the yard a couple hundred times. Okay, maybe not a couple hundred, but enough to get tired of it really fast, lol. And I even (thought I) put the garbage can in a central location. I still have that bag of feed in the garage somewhere (if the mice didn't finish it off) so I will probably make tea again this year. Thanks for reminding me! :) Dee
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Rose Tone is about 30 to 40% by weight synthetic fertilizer elements, all of which are water soluble and might do some good when mixed with alfalfa tea but the remaining 60 to 70% of Rose Tone is organic and should really be scratched into the soil, as per the label. Rose Tone is about 10% triple superphosphate by weight, so you wouldn't need to add more of this element. Personally, if I wanted to experiment with pick-me-ups mixed with alfalfa tea, I'd stick to completely water-soluble fertilizers like Miracle Gro if I thought more fertilizer was called for, or I'd try things like fish or seaweed extracts or Biotone.
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Amy, use the alfalfa to make two batches of "tea" then you can put the "goop" around the plants. Yes, you can just soften the cubes and put them around the plant, many of us just apply the dry alfalfa and water it in. Yes, pete does do "miracles" with those plants. They are so "advanced" with their "disease control" too!!!
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carolfm
16 years ago
Sorry, not enough coffee yet. I use alfala meal, not tea. Tea may be an entirely different matter.

Carol
mike_rivers
16 years ago
I put down a cup or two of alfalfa pellets just after I finish pruning in mid-April. I don't know if earlier or later application would give better results but I do know this works fine with me. Here in mid-Michigan, we tend to get long, cold, but not too cold, spring weather and I almost never see frost damage to new growth. All the winter damage that I'm likely to see has already happened, probably back in early February.
susan4952
16 years ago
I put it on established roses today (after pruning lightly).
mgleason56
Original Author
16 years ago
sunnishine - Glad to hear that! The late freez chance is why I asked. Mike Rivers lives in the same approximate area as me, so I will start the brewing process tomorrow.

By the way Mike Rivers, where in mid Michigan do you live. Guessing the Greater Lansing area?

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How Early Do You Apply Alfalfa Tea?

Comments (6)

sunnishine

carolfm

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How Early Do You Apply Alfalfa Tea?

Comments (6)

sunnishine

carolfm

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