Hello Loren...
I concur with the general consensus that redclover is much better suited
for your purpose than alfalfa. Alfalfa only does well on east coast soils
that are very well drained and have been amended to have high levels of
base cations (Ca, Mg, K). Alfalfa is quite susceptible to a number of
foliar and soil pathogens as well as foliar feeding insects such as leaf
hoppers and weevils. Lastly, alfalfa seed also normally costs almost 4
times as much as red clover.
It would probably be best to combine red clover with several other species.
Perennial ryegrass and orchard grass are perennial grasses that should
complement red clover well. Most varieties of timothy are not well adapted
to the heat of the mid-Atlantic.
I would probably throw in some sweet clover... the seed is cheap, the roots
grow deep and the flowers are relished by honey bees and other nectar feeders.
Joel
Joel Gruver
Visiting Faculty
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois 62028
(618) 374 - 5289
jgruver@principia.edu
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