Alfalfa can be seeded either in spring or fall in southwest Kansas. Whether it is best to plant alfalfa in the spring or fall depends on three factors: predominant weed species, soil type and soil moisture.

If the predominant weed species are summer annuals, such as foxtail and pigweed, it may be best to plant alfalfa in the fall -- provided the soil profile has adequate moisture for growth.

This allows the alfalfa to get established with less weed competition and since it greens up in early spring, it will get a head start on the annual weeds next year that must come from seed when the soil temperature is right for germination.

If the predominant weed species are winter annuals such as pennycress or downy brome, spring planting may be best.

The weeds can be killed with tillage or herbicides in early spring and then the alfalfa planted into a clean seed bed.

Pennycress, downy brome and other winter annual weeds are more dominant in former wheat ground since they have the same growth habit as winter wheat.

The best time for fall seeding alfalfa in our area is during the month of August, provided adequate soil moisture is available.

Of course, with irrigation, that factor is eliminated. Farmers sometimes wait until middle or late September to plant alfalfa.

This often is too late because the plants do not have a chance to become established before the first killing frost.

In Finney County, the latest alfalfa should be seeded in the fall is late September. If planting cannot be completed by that time, it is best to wait for another season.

Alfalfa seed needs to be planted 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in fine-textured soils and 3/4 inch deep in sandy soils for best germination.

Regardless of seeding time, it is critical alfalfa be planted into a firm seed bed.

Alfalfa seeds must have close contact with soil particles and soil moisture to ensure rapid emergence.

A firm seedbed also helps prevent seed from being planted too deep.

Leave just enough loose soil to cover seed after planting.

Bruce Anderson, UNL extension forage specialist, has been quoted as saying "if you can't bounce a basketball on the seedbed prior to planting alfalfa, the seed bed is too loose."

Don't have a basketball? Walk across the seedbed with hard-soled shoes; if your heel sinks in more than 1/2 inch, it is too loose.

A good rain after tillage will firm the seedbed. Harrowing with the spikes set flat or rolling with a packer will firm seedbeds provided there is some moisture in the soil.

Complete tillage (disking) following row crops is OK if the soil is firmed up by either rain, sprinkler irrigation or packerseeders. If the untilled soil surface is already smooth, no-till planters have been very successful.

In fact, no-till seeding of alfalfa following small grain crops has become the trend among successful alfalfa producers.

Before seeding alfalfa, whether you plant in spring or fall, do a complete soil test.

Apply and incorporate lime and phosphorus fertilizer, if needed, and be sure to inoculate the seed.

Demonstration Garden

The public is invited to the grand opening of the Finney County Extension Demonstration Garden from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the Finney County Fairgrounds, 501 S. Ninth St.

The demonstration garden is the work of trained Extension master gardeners under the guidance of Whitey Whitehill, Finney County Extension agricultural agent.

The garden features numerous named plant materials, watering methods, types of mulches and landscape design.

It allows a setting for teaching conservation practices, gardening skills and selection of adaptable plant materials for our southwest climate.

For more information, contact the Finney County Extension Office, 272-3670.