How to Grow Alfalfa Microgreens
Medicago sativa
Alfalfa microgreens offer a quick harvest of nutrient-dense greens perfect for salads and sandwiches. These fast-growing seedlings provide an early source of fresh produce, making them ideal for small spaces or indoor gardening projects.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Alfalfa Microgreens: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Alfalfa Microgreens is not usually started indoors.
Since alfalfa microgreens are harvested at a very young stage, they do not require transplanting outdoors; sow directly in trays whenever you wish to harvest.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare a shallow tray with sterile soil adjusted to a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 for optimal growth. As microgreens are harvested young, sowing timing relative to frost is flexible; you can start indoors anytime. Scatter seeds lightly over the surface at a rate of half an ounce per ten-by-twenty inch tray. Expect germination within two to four days under consistent warmth.
Space your seedings lightly to ensure even coverage without overcrowding, as these plants do not require trellising or support. Keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging, which can trigger damping off. Provide bright indirect light or grow lights for twelve to fourteen hours daily. These microgreens are drought tolerant once established, so watering should be minimal after germination.
Watch for aphids and thrips in greenhouse settings; maintain good airflow to prevent bacterial soft rot caused by excess moisture. Damping off is the primary risk, so ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering. Harvest your crop six to ten days after sowing when stems are tender and leaves have fully expanded. Cut just above the soil line with clean scissors for a fresh batch.
When to Plant Alfalfa Microgreens
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 2 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 3 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 4 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 5 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 6 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 7 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 8 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 9 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 10 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 11 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 12 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 13 | January – December | — | January – December |
Companion Plants for Alfalfa Microgreens
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and thrips while improving air circulation around microgreens
Natural pest deterrent that repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pest populations
Similar growing conditions and compatible spacing for succession planting
Strong pest-repelling properties against aphids, whiteflies, and fungus gnats
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting alfalfa microgreens
Fast-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters root pests
Compatible cool-weather crop with similar water and light requirements
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and causes wilting in legumes
Allelopathic properties inhibit germination and growth of most other plants
Can inhibit nitrogen fixation in legumes and stunt their growth
Allelopathic compounds in roots and leaves suppress growth of nearby plants
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
