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Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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Posted by follicle Sth.West WA (My Page) on Wed, Jul 27, 05 at 5:46
| I have just been informed that the green manure lucerne is the same as Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)The same sprouts that we consume. I didn't know that, did anyone else ? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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| No, I presumed lucerne must have come from lucerne trees. |
RE: Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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- Posted by Liatris FraserCoast,Qld (My Page) on
Wed, Jul 27, 05 at 16:14
| Yes, your source is right. I've been meaning to plant some. |
RE: Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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Yes - just the same. Do they not grow lucerne in SW WA?
In the US it is called alfalfa, here we call it lucerne (the proper English term :-)), and it is grown mostly in irrigation areas. Don't sprout commercial lucerne seed, for eating as it will have been treated with fungicidal chemicals. |
RE: Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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| I've got a stack of alfalfa sprouting seed from the supermarket and will be sowing this in my (new) herb garden. I had it growing at my previous house. The only difference in planting sprouting seed from the supermarket is that it has not been treated with the innoculent used for agricultural seed (as Sparaxis notes above). The innoculent increases its nitrogen fixing properties. Hence, one of the reasons it is used in commercial agriculture is for pasture improvement. But, other than that it grows into a very attractive green bush about 2-3 feet high and has the most beautiful mauve flowers. It makes a great mulch, and if grown around the border of a garden bed its dense root system will help to keep unwanted grass from intruding. |
RE: Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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- Posted by Liatris FraserCoast,Qld (My Page) on
Thu, Jul 28, 05 at 17:28
| Alfalfa seed is very cheap from the health food store. A small quantity goes a long way. |
RE: Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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| I like Carol_AF's suggestion; growing them around the border of the garden bed. When can I sow them and do I sow them directly into the soil around the garden bed? |
RE: Alfalfa/Lucerne....same thing?
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Thank you all so much.
It;s a big learning curve we travel!
R |
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