Year-Round IPM Program Pages
Planting and Establishing a Stand
This year-round program covers the major pests of planting and establishing a stand of alfalfa hay in California. For established stands of alfalfa hay, see Established Stands.
About Stand establishment
- Special issues of concern related to water quality: drift, runoff due to rain, irrigation.
What should you be doing during this time?
Ensure proper stand establishment to reduce weed and disease pressure. Plant seed, using proper timing, depth, and seedling rates.
- Plant at the proper time for each region:
- Central Valley: early fall (September through October)
- Imperial Valley: October
- Intermountain: spring or August
- Plant 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, depending on soil type.
- Assure proper seed-soil contact by using press wheels or rollers.
- Provide timely irrigation for seedling germination; do not overirrigate.
- Use a higher seed rate for organic production.
For more information, see Irrigated Alfalfa Management for Mediterranean and Desert Zones, UC ANR Publication 3512.
Consider interplanting a low density of oats in organic alfalfa or where soil erosion occurs to reduce weed competition and soil erosion, but manage carefully to avoid competition and alfalfa stand loss.
- For more information, see Overseeding and companion cropping in alfalfa (PDF), UC ANR Publication 21594
Survey weeds when the crop germinates.
- Keep records on a weed survey form .
- Apply a postemergence herbicide, if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.
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Keep records on a map of the field . Manage if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.
Monitor newly-established fields for gopher, meadow vole, and ground squirrel infestations Manage, if needed, according to the Pest Management Guidelines.