How to Grow Beaumont Alfalfa
Beaumont Alfalfa
Medicago sativa 'Beaumont'
herbBeaumont is a high-quality forage alfalfa cultivar bred for excellent nutritional value and persistence in diverse climates. This perennial legume is widely used for livestock feed, hay production, and as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop. Known for its vigor, disease resistance, and consistent productivity across multiple harvest cycles.
When should you plant Beaumont Alfalfa in your zone?
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Example Beaumont Alfalfa timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Beaumont Alfalfa
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 Beaumont Alfalfa
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Beaumont Alfalfa dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-8, with good cold tolerance and adaptation to northern climates
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Get my Beaumont Alfalfa timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall cotyledons emerge, true leaves develop slowly. Plant is delicate with shallow root system beginning to develop.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect from foot traffic and grazing. Ensure good light exposure. Maintain weed control.
Vegetative Establishment
6-8 weeksPrimary root develops deep into soil (can reach 3-6 feet). Leafy stems multiply, creating bushy growth. Plant becomes increasingly robust.
Allow full establishment before any cutting or grazing. Control competing weeds aggressively. Monitor for seedling diseases. Light inoculation with rhizobia bacteria beneficial if soil lacks alfalfa history.
Active Growth & Vegetative
4-6 weeks per cycleEstablished plant produces multiple stems with compound leaves. Rapid biomass accumulation. Ready for first harvest at bud to early bloom stage.
First cutting typically at 10% bloom for forage quality. Cut at 2-3 inch height to maintain productivity. Allow 4-5 weeks between harvests during growing season.
Flowering
1-2 weeks (timing varies by intended use)Purple-pink flower clusters appear along stems. Plant reaches peak nutritional value at early bloom but lignin increases if allowed to mature fully.
Harvest at bud to early bloom for best protein/digestibility ratio. Do not allow to over-mature or allow all plants to flower simultaneously (reduces stand longevity).
Post-Harvest Recovery
4-5 weeks between cutsAfter cutting, plant regrows from crown buds and roots. Stem regeneration occurs over 4-5 weeks before next harvest window.
Remove harvested material completely. Provide adequate water for regrowth. Limit to 3-4 harvests in northern zones, 5-6 in southern zones. Final fall cutting should be made 6 weeks before hard frost to allow cold hardiness acclimation.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Early cutting when larvae present, parasitic wasp releases, insecticides only as last resort; resistant varieties like Beaumont provide good defense
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Monitor regularly, insecticidal soap, predatory insects (ladybugs, lacewings), resistant varieties
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Tolerate low populations, monitor and treat if >1 looper per sweep net sample, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
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Improve drainage, avoid waterlogging, rotate fields, use disease-resistant cultivars like Beaumont, fungicide seed treatment
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Resistant varieties, proper drainage, crop rotation, avoid excess nitrogen
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Early cutting, resistant varieties, minimal insecticide use
Uses
Livestock Feed & Forage
CulinaryBeaumont alfalfa is a premium forage crop providing high-quality hay and silage for cattle, horses, sheep, and other livestock. Its balanced nutrition (12-16% crude protein when cut at proper stage) makes it a cornerstone of animal agriculture throughout temperate regions. [source]
Nutritional Supplement & Phytochemicals
MedicinalAlfalfa is traditionally used in herbal medicine and contains bioactive compounds including saponins, flavonoids, and chlorophyll with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Modern nutritional science studies alfalfa sprouts and leaf extracts for health applications. [source]
Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Amendment
HouseholdAs a nitrogen-fixing legume with deep roots, alfalfa improves soil fertility and structure, making it valuable as a cover crop and rotation break in organic and conventional farming systems. Can add 100-200 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually to soil. [source]
Pollinator & Wildlife Support
WildlifeAlfalfa flowers attract and support honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while providing food habitat for various wildlife species. Fields in bloom support biodiversity and strengthen pollinator populations. [source]
Sprout Production & Fresh Consumption
CraftAlfalfa sprouts are widely grown for direct human consumption, prized for their crisp texture, mild nutty flavor, and high enzyme content. Commercial and home sprouting operations grow alfalfa seeds into nutritious sprouts within 5-7 days. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Beaumont alfalfa is typically harvested for hay/silage at the bud to early bloom stage (approximately 10-25% bloom) to maximize protein and digestibility while maintaining stand longevity. In northern zones, allow 4-6 weeks between cuttings; southern regions may support 5-6 harvests annually. Final fall harvest should occur 6 weeks before expected hard freeze to enable dormancy preparation. Cutting height of 2-3 inches prevents crown damage and promotes regrowth. Dry to 20-25% moisture for hay storage. Can also be grazed rotationally but requires careful management to avoid overuse.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Beaumont alfalfa has a root system that can penetrate 3-6 feet or deeper into the soil, making it extremely drought-tolerant once established and able to access water unavailable to shallow-rooted crops.
- 🌱 The name 'alfalfa' comes from Arabic 'al-fal-fa' meaning 'father of all foods,' reflecting its historical importance as livestock feed and soil amendment across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern civilizations.
- 🌱 Alfalfa's nitrogen-fixing ability comes from symbiotic bacteria (Sinorhizobium/Rhizobium species) that live in root nodules—one plant can add 100-200 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually without synthetic fertilizers.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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