Alfalfa
When you think about what to plant in your garden, I'll hazard a guess that alfalfa was not on your list. But should it be?
They are also amazing in pots and on a window sill. So if you have a small partially sunny space indoors then alfalfa could be a great pot plant for you.
PLANTING
Sow as seeds in Autumn straight in the pot or ground. I have never seen alfalfa seedlings in nurseries. One plant is actually a collection of many seeds. Start with a small sprinkle and add to them if you need more.
SPACING
Plant a light sprinkle of seeds in one spot or in a trench. It's not a crop that we eat a lot of.
HARVEST
These are a perennial cut-and-come-again crop which means that you plant them once and they grow for a number if years. You cut off what you need and it regrows. Harvest as soon as shoots are big enough to cut off.
COMPANION PLANTING
They will happily grow with anyone but their nitrogen fixing makes them a good companion to leafy crops.
CONTAINER PLANTING
Alfalfa will grow well in a container and also be happy indoors on a window sill. It has extensive roots so give it a pot which is at least 20cm deep.
CROP ROTATION
Plant after roots and fruits and before leaves. They add nitrogen to the soil which leafy crops need to grow leaves. You can also under plant them with lettuce to add extra nitrogen and feed them as they grow.