How to Grow Alfalfa with Bromegrass
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Alfalfa with Bromegrass
Medicago sativa L. with Bromus species
grassAlfalfa and bromegrass are often grown together as a mixed forage crop for livestock feed. Alfalfa, a nitrogen-fixing legume, provides high protein content while bromegrass offers structural support and palatability. This combination creates a balanced, nutritious pasture or hay blend used extensively in ranching and agricultural operations.
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Example Alfalfa with Bromegrass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Alfalfa with Bromegrass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Alfalfa with Bromegrass
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Alfalfa with Bromegrass dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-8; alfalfa prefers zones 3-9, bromegrass tolerates cooler climates
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Get my Alfalfa with Bromegrass timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
2-4 weeksSmall seedlings emerging with cotyledons visible; both species developing root systems
Keep seedbed consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid heavy grazing or cutting. Maintain weed control without herbicides if possible during first 30 days.
Early Growth
4-8 weeksPlants developing true leaves and establishing deeper roots; alfalfa showing characteristic trifoliate leaves
Control competing weeds. Prevent livestock access. Monitor for pest damage. Light nitrogen application may help bromegrass establishment without suppressing alfalfa.
Vegetative/Establishment
8-16 weeks first seasonStand thickening with substantial foliage; bromegrass becoming more prominent; alfalfa root system extending 2-3 feet deep
First cutting may be taken at 8-10 inches height but often delayed until next season. Allow full establishment for longevity. Manage competing weeds.
Productive Growth
Ongoing (years 2-4+ of stand life)Mature stand ready for regular harvesting; alfalfa flowering at early bud to bloom stage for optimal nutrition; bromegrass providing structural support
Begin regular cutting at bud stage (3-4 weeks after growth starts). Maintain 2-3 inch stubble. Apply balanced fertilizer post-harvest. Monitor for disease and pests.
Decline
Year 4-6+Stand productivity decreasing after 3-5 years; alfalfa plants woody, gaps appearing, weeds reestablishing
Plan for renovation or reseeding. Increase harvest intervals to reduce stress. Consider overseeding or complete renovation depending on species composition.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Early cutting before weevil populations peak; natural predators; insecticide sprays if threshold reached (20+ larvae per stem)
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Monitor populations; cultural controls like habitat management; insecticides for severe infestations
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Predatory insects; early harvesting; insecticidal soaps in severe cases
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Early harvest timing; insecticides if damage exceeds economic threshold
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Improve drainage; crop rotation; resistant varieties; avoid waterlogged conditions
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Harvest at early bud stage; remove infected material; improve air circulation
Uses
Livestock Feed (Dairy & Beef)
CulinaryThe primary use of alfalfa-bromegrass mixtures is as high-protein, palatable forage for cattle, horses, and other livestock. The combination provides balanced nutrition with legume protein and grass fiber. [source]
Pasture & Grazing
HouseholdUsed as rotational or continuous pasture for livestock grazing. The mixture is more drought-tolerant and longer-lived than alfalfa alone, while maintaining higher nutritional value than grass-only pastures. [source]
Hay Production
HouseholdDried as hay for winter livestock feeding. The mixture cures well and retains nutritional value better than single-species stands, making it economically valuable for farm operations. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Food
WildlifeProvides cover and forage for pollinators, game birds, and other wildlife. The diverse plant structure supports beneficial insects and serves as nesting habitat. [source]
Alfalfa Nutritional/Medicinal Properties
MedicinalAlfalfa contains saponins, isoflavones, and high vitamin content traditionally used in herbal medicine for livestock health and human supplementation. The mixture delivers these compounds in forage form. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when alfalfa reaches early bud to 1/10 bloom stage (typically 4-6 weeks after growth begins). Bromegrass is ready when seed heads fully emerge. Make 2-4 cuts annually depending on climate and moisture. Leave 2-3 inch stubble for regrowth. Harvest in late morning after dew dries to reduce leaf loss. Best quality hay made during cooler morning hours. For grazing, allow recovery of 3-4 weeks between grazings. Test forage for nutritional content if used for premium livestock feed.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Alfalfa is a nitrogen-fixing crop that can produce 100-200 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually through symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria, reducing fertilizer needs for subsequent crops.
- 🌱 Alfalfa has a remarkable root system that can extend 10-20 feet deep, allowing it to access water and nutrients far below the soil surface and making it extremely drought-resistant once established.
- 🌱 Bromegrass was named for its resemblance to broom plants and is also called 'smooth brome'—it's native to eastern Europe but has become a cornerstone of North American forage production since the 1900s.
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