WATCH THIS BEFORE USING ALFALFA FERTILIZER Pellets

[@jenniferrose5908]

Fascinating and exciting to see nature in action. I am a seventy six year old who has gardened much of my life and what I am learning about the soil structure is amazing and helps me see how our world being able to heal if we understand that nature knows what its doing if we only open our eyes and give it the care it needs. Thank you for this article

[@benjaminlopez2558]

This is the first useful alfalfa video I've watched. Thank you for answering the questions of how and why.

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU so very Much. Here to share and Help the best way I can.

[@stephanieray6587]

I was waiting for you to express a preference between the pellets and the meal!

[@christine3794]

After watching this video it reminded me of my grandparents who homesteaded our ranch years ago and used to have this huge Haywagon pulled by draft horses. My father continued after they passed with the alfalfa growing and rotational resting of the land, then planting crops and we always had an abundance of whatever crop my father planted cotton, corn, etc. But it was a rotational thing which was the best for the land.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Any cover crop that is left or used that have a living root in the ground for as long as possible help build and grow soil.

[@miguelpintadostanford711]

I love stories about Old farms and homesteading and how these people actually lived and made a living. I admire them very much and thank you for that little tiny part of the story that you gave!

[@mrf5347]

My Grandpa called it "The Old Way". Crop rotation, Alfalfa/Sweet Clover seeded with oats, cattle grazing first year, hay crop second year, feed the soil third year, (thick canopy and ground moisture decomposes weed seeds and green manure to fertilize), wheat, corn, oats, rye. Every other year, leave straw for the Soil. My oldest brother has straight cropped for 18 years since Dad passed away. Hard pan, alkali patches, wind and water erosion, heavy use of chemicals,,, Dead Dirt. Now I teach my Daughters how to be a good steward of the soil, on my 3 acres, veggietable, fruit, grass clippings and sweet clover for mulch. Wood chips, horse manure, clover for compost/mulch.

[@4RTigers]

What an outstanding production! Mark has us all in geek/nerd mode!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU for you kind words and proud of it.

[@yearofthegarden]

There is a lot of heat produced in the pelleting process, so they are near sterile. I know this because you can essentially hydrate alfalfa and wood pellets to innoculate with oyster mushrooms, with very little issue of not being sterile if you innoculate enough

[@RWM1955]

I was told by the manager of Alfalfa Supply Inc. that during the pelleting process they heat the pellets up to 400 degrees. Also most alfalfa pellets and alfalfa cubes are grown from Roundup ready alfalfa. Roundup is not only a herbicide it is also registered as a bactericide.

[@bitTorrenter]

​@@RWM1955Funny that because glyphosate works on an enzyme in plants, which I don't believe has anything to do with bacteria.

[@RWM1955]

@@bitTorrenter regardless of how it kill a plant it has also has registered an anti bacterial status.

[@TheLaLaFarm]

This is really interesting and unlike any other video I found explaining the benefit of alfalfa. Thanks!! - Rick

[@iamorganicgardening]

Hello Rick. THANK YOU so very kindly. Always here to share and have Fun gardening.

[@mariebunce4362]

This was so informative! Now I have a visual of these organisms in relation to fertilizing. Thank you!

[@danunger2784]

Microscopy video worth a thousand words. Wonderful.

[@sher152]

I've been watching you for years. Enjoy your videos. I love it when you pull out the microscope and dig up plants to show us what is going on. I always learn something new. Have a great year gardening.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Awesome! Thank you! And a Very Happy Gardening New Year to you also. Enjoy.

[@thereseboogades8498]

Fantastic & thorough video. As always, your content & delivery are great! I love your videos! I'll switch from pellets to alfalfa meal. Greetings from Virginia Beach, VA.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank you so very much, Enjoy.

[@TravelswithLucky]

Great information! Knowing why this works is so interesting! Thank you! I have incorporated pellets into my gardening this year. Now I am really excited to see what happens. I even featured using pellets on one of my gardening videos but I had no idea why! I will definitely share your info in my playlists!

[@HippocratesGarden]

You sound like a student of Dr Ingham.. I finished the foundation course this year. Good on ya!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Nice to hear you took the course. I have not, but email her to answer some question to keep me on track. She is the best.

[@e.wicksholisticgardens9851]

Overpriced in my opinion but I took it too when I was green and excited. Lol

[@HippocratesGarden]

@@e.wicksholisticgardens9851 Yeah, I got in on the "discount" but still think it's steep. Did some quick calculations on how many students at even the "discounted" price. That's some tax bill due.

[@Weifengast]

Amazing video. Love the way you explain the biology on how nature organic works. More videos plz. Thank you,

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank you! Will do!

[@manbearpig8691]

Great video! Gave a thumbs up. Fascinating how it all works. My take away is that the meal was faster acting and more beneficial than the pellets on a per ounce basis. I would have enjoy getting your thoughts on the benefits of each on a per dollar basis as well. However the variables of intended use and brand variations would make this very difficult

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thanks for sharing!

[@lisakukla459]

I really love this kind of stuff. Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to do this.

[@iamorganicgardening]

My pleasure to share with you.. THANKS

[@chachadodds5860]

Loved it! Thank you, so much! I just found your channel for the first time, and this reminded me of 7th Grade Biology... which I loved. I'm planning to use Alfalfa pellets and pine straw, along with worm castings & hopefully a few logs, to fill up the bottom of my 30inch raised bed, Hugelkulture style. This really helped me to see that I don't need to amend that layer with azo/rhizo, or mycos, like I was planning. I will be mixing both of those into the top layer of soil, and allowing it to simmer for 6wks, before planting in the Spring, so that should be plenty. I've never gardened in raised bed before, so this will be sort of an experiment. I'm so excited because I haven't been able to garden for the past 4yrs, and I've really missed it. Your science class, has sparked much enthusiasm, as I look forward to this year's adventures. You've earned a new Sub!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU, Glad you found it. Thanks again for the sub. They keep to healthy soil is keeping a living root all the time year round. I will be doing a video later for a container or raised bed in early spring. Plant when you can outside a crop of spinach to start that living root process. Takes about 30 days depending on weather.

[@chachadodds5860]

@@iamorganicgardening Thank you for the suggestion. I'll do that. Looking forward to your video on raised beds. Love your approach.

[@kkrollingskkrollings3173]

Great video great break down , i just bought the alfalfa pellets over the meal as i got twice as much weight for the same price were i was shopping.

[@iamorganicgardening]

That is awesome! THANK YOU for the great news.

[@joeyfarley9916]

I am in zone 6b as well it used to be zone 6 but they changed it around 2012. I am glad to finally find a channel at least close to my time line on things. Great video I subbed and will be looking forward to seeing what comes out as spring and summer comes on.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Welcome and Hello 6b gardener. First to to plant outside is our sugar snap peas in march .. Hopefully.

[@gailmarlatt8029]

Thanks you for another great video! I always learn something.

[@iamorganicgardening]

My pleasure to always share. THANK YOU.

[@TheChasathome]

THANKS! I'm trying to get educated prior to beginning to organically garden. I found this video content interesting and informative.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad it was helpful! If any question just ask away here to help and share.

[@o.o1163]

Yes this was excellent to know, I've got alfalfa meal because I'm making my own soil to plant in grow bags. I bought alfalfa meal , my own worm castings plus azomite, chicken compost , blood meal, bone meal , micorriza fungi, and a few other things to make my soil as healthy as possible so my food is more nutritious for my family🤗💐😊,, thanks

[@iamorganicgardening]

Always here to help and share. Happy Gardening

[@sherimetschan961]

How did your soil turn out? Can you provide what and how much you used? I have some grow bags in addition to my raised beds and want to use grow bags more. Thanks!

[@TexasNana2]

Hope your soil was a success. Please let us know. Happy gardening 😊

[@mrsworms]

Fascinating, I love the science that goes with the fertilizer to explain the difference and show how it all works together. Thanks for sharing.

[@iamorganicgardening]

So nice of you to say. THANK YOU, have a great weekend

[@tamaleenyouknowwhatimean777]

Thank you so much for this, I’ve been looking for natural ways to “grow” healthy soil. Just added alfalfa pellets and wasn’t sure how it works but this was very enlightening. I am also going to try and compost in place a bit to feed all these micro organisms. I added to rabbits for fertilizer as well. Our soil is very heavy clay here in San Diego and has taken years to get it somewhat useable. But we’re getting there. Thank you for the lesson, I’ll be subscribing.

[@iamorganicgardening]

The key to grow soil is a balance of food for both bacteria and fungi ( 1: 1 ratio ) plus moisture all the time and a living plant root also all the time. THANK YOU

[@lauraskorczewski5813]

I really like it when you use the microscope for us. Very interesting material. Well done Mark.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Always my pleasure to do that. It is a blast for me also. THANK YOU.

[@mnp5404]

love to know what kind of microscope you are using! Thanks!

[@dexterking9003]

I’ll have to add to my vegetable garden this spring

[@iamorganicgardening]

Meal is the better one.. More nitrogen .THANKS.

[@sandihelman2301]

Never knew what using alfafa products on a garden invovled. Loved the slide presentation

[@iamorganicgardening]

Great. Thanks.

[@TheChromePoet]

I'm Buying a microscope, so cool. The way you can test what's really in your product is amazing.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jamesstorm5892]

Very good explanation. I think you’re the best.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Appreciate that. It is all due to great viewer's like you. Thank You.

[@bluejay3945]

In review of your comments I see a lot of folks doing that fermentation thing via JADAM theory. I just don’t get it as my understanding is aeration is the key. I would love to see you do as thorough of an evaluation of the JADAM theory as you did here. I think a month of folks would benefit from it. Thank you for this awesome content

[@iamorganicgardening]

I agree with you that aeration ( aerobic ) is key. I will be doing aerobic compost tea video soon. Thanks for asking.

[@OxfordComma47]

I learned so much! Thank you!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@ABamaGardener]

Great Minds think alike, This morning I made a slurry of Alfalfa cubes to put into my compost to be used in about a month or so. Thanks for showing the "Little Guys" I'm growing.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Very cool! THANKS for sharing.

[@joelzdepski9884]

Hey Mark, I was moving my tomato starts this morning and thought of this video. I don't have a heat mat under my trays, and the lights are in my garage and not that warm (its CA, so not too cold at night). A thought popped into my head - "I bet the heat mat effect has nothing to do with warming the roots, and everything with raising the temp for the microbes and fungus to get active." I recall a slide (probably Gabe Brown or Ray Archuleta video?) where someone had 2 trays of seedlings that were identical in every way but 2. One tray has vigorous plants and one not so much. The vigorous tray had mycorrhizal fungi and the other did not. So is the soil heating from a mat is to make the microbes and fungi happy and only secondarily the make the plant starts warm? Do you (or anyone else) have any thoughts or research pointers to share?

[@iamorganicgardening]

To my understanding the microbes love to grow and work around 70 to 80 degrees. With a fair about of moisture and food.

[@lisakukla459]

I am certainly no expert, but I would speculate the same thing. Good thought!

[@nashaugust6765]

Instablaster.

[@Alan_CFA]

Loved the video. Minor edit: the time for bacteria to reproduce is 20minutes, not 20 seconds. It’s still tremendously fast.

[@billhatcher2984]

That was a very interesting I would like to see it again in like 12 hour increments then with aded sugars and castings I think I need a microscope

[@iamorganicgardening]

That would be cool!

[@StJohn1.1]

Hi. Enjoyed. So is it good to use the pellets or not?

[@leohorishny9561]

I’m curious to have seen hydrated alfalfa cubes, whether they have appreciably more microbial growth after soaking.🤔

[@iamorganicgardening]

They would DUE to the water added. Life of microbes need water/air/food/ & temp to grow and survive. Thanks

[@manguydude287]

This was a very interesting video! I appreciate you sharing with us. Bacteria and fungus are nearly indestructible!

[@iamorganicgardening]

They are what keeps the world alive. THANK YOU

[@jhjln8712]

Very interesting!! I enjoyed the science demonstration!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lorannharris9034]

Mark Ive been using alfalfa pellets for years. Ive always put it in a barrel with water and rice and allowed it to ferment before using on garden. Any thoughts on this?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Hello. Hope all is well. To me ferment is the lack of oxygen. That is something that we do not what. You can add water to it and add a air bubbler to give it air. Just like making compost tea. Thanks

[@lorannharris9034]

@@iamorganicgardening thanks. This was done mostly to make it less appetizing to those darn voles. Hope you and your family are healthy and happy.😊

[@timmartin8191]

Awesome, informative video. Thanks for posting!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lynnbailie8734]

I just discovered you & subscribed today. Thank you for taking the time to do this video. I was just Fantastic information and I will use Alfalfa meal in the future instead of pellets. Fascinating use of your microscope!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU for the subscribing, Glad you like the video .

[@sarahjustesen1305]

so interesting thank you

[@nancyshinn2037]

thank you for the scientific approach. Loved your video. Can't wait to see more.

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU so very much. Working on a new video to upload soon.

[@c.m.303]

OK, so just a newbie question...is there a preference between the pellets or the meal or are they both equally good?

[@iamorganicgardening]

I have great news for you. Add Used coffee grounds they are free and will do a much better job than either of the other two. Thanks for asking and Happy gardening.

[@c.m.303]

@@iamorganicgardening I am not a coffee drinker, just tea and that doesn't amount to much. I am sure I will have to add amendments of some kind.

[@iamorganicgardening]

@@c.m.303 Hello, Are you planting in real soil ( with is sand , silt and clay ) if so you do not have to amend. Just get your soil biology back.

[@iamorganicgardening]

You can pick up all the free coffee grounds at starbucks .

[@c.m.303]

@@iamorganicgardening I tend to reuse my pots of bagged gardening soil so always looking for extra stuff to add-in.

[@kfs9300]

Love it! It is all about science. Thanks for the understanding. Nice microscope.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Exactly! THANK YOU.

[@rk7630]

Thank you for sharing this information about Alfalfa pallets. This video was extremely INFORMATIVE 🙏🏼

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU kindly

[@hickoryhillinthebigwoods-r759]

Fascinating. Thanks for this! How is the family? It has been a long time since I talked to you.

[@lhy2000]

Mark, Another great video! I wonder if soy meal would be a good soil amendment as well, it's $20 per 50 lb bag, vs. $15 for alfalfa, however, the former has almost 3 times the protein content.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Good question! Sorry, I do not know. Like they way you think. THANK YOU for asking.

[@Doktracy]

Soy meal is a good nitrogen source, they are a good mix with alfalfa.

[@tammyque1506]

Now I understand the science behind plant food. Very interesting to see it in action under a microscope. Thank you for sharing.

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU so very much.. Here to share.

[@skootles1]

fantastic video. Thanks for sharing

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank you too

[@terrychrist1383]

Very interesting. I didn't know this stuff. Awesome information 👍☺️

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad to hear, THANK YOU so very much.

[@OfftoShambala]

Good work… thanks for your service to humanity.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank You kindly

[@heavymechanic2]

Recently, I threw down a bag of alfalfa pellets (horse feed) on 2K sqft of garden as a supplement to the Espoma organic blend I typically use. One of the problems I see with garden products is people using too much expecting a miracle in a bag. I learned a long time ago some products have benefit while other nutrients may needed such as adding biomas (crop residues, manures, etc.) to build nitrogen. I prefer ocean products such as fish & kelp to boost the micronutrients and amino acids in soil biology. I'm not a scientist but have had great results in many different garden plots thriving with life.

[@heavymechanic2]

@@YAYA-bv7po Thanks for the tip on 30 days, I threw it down in the fall to allow plenty of time to get absorbed by the soil biology through several processes to become available to plants. I use stuff like Espoma as a similar ingredient and have success.

[@bluejay3945]

@@heavymechanic2 I gave up on Espoma years ago as I perceive their quality has diminished. Switched to the line of fertilizers from Microlife out of Texas. Absolutely love their quality. Have to buy on Amazon and it’s a bit more pricey than Espoma but I love the results. Just wanted to add my 2cents. Since I’ve switched to them I use nothing else. Great company

[@heavymechanic2]

@@bluejay3945 I use a lot of fish fertilizer with kelp, and started going with humic, it all works together to improve the soil.

[@annagudmundsen]

Cute little critters :o) Thanks for showing us ..-

[@iamorganicgardening]

Great way of looking at it. THANK YOU.

[@PleasantPrickles]

This was so fascinating! Thank you for this demo. I guess the take away is the pellets serve as more of a slow release fertilizer than the meal starting with less bacteria. I’ve just ordered pellets because it was so cost effective. I’m determined to improve my soil and boost veggie and flower production for my personal use. 🌱🌱🌱🌱😃

[@iamorganicgardening]

The meal is the better product( more bacteria )plus we know the NPK value in it. . As the pellets we do not know the NPK in it . Plus it is grown for the protein value only for a food source. Less bacteria, etc. Thanks for asking

[@fionaewhite]

@@iamorganicgardening lll

[@jhutto3814]

Very interesting. You have me hooked.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@markbalogh9655]

What alfalfa brand would you recommend

[@GreenLove1]

My gosh, what a fantastic video. I have started using alfalfa pellets to amend my raised beds and it sure gives me a sense of validation that I am doing the right thing (albeit more slowly than meal!). I learned a lot from this video, thanks Mark! So much fun seeing through the microscope!!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Wonderful! So very glad to hear. THANK YOU kindly.

[@claud1542]

great vid. so it seems the meal is better choice for immediate availability of nutrients for the soil than pellets. However for cost effectiveness for large area gardening and farming the pellets would be better choice but would take longer for those bacterias to reproduce to be a benefit to the soil and plants. When would be the best time to apply the pellets to raised garden beds? I am prepping and more soil to my beds this fall with deep mulch as well. Can i scatter pellets across the whole bed then cover with new soil? The soil i have in there is pretty depleted and i need to fill probably another 6" of soil to the existing soil bed. How much Pellets to use per square foot? Again thank you for the vid and your time. cheers

[@iamorganicgardening]

Save your money and do not use either. If you have fall leaves use them. They will do 3 times better for you. Layer fall leaves with your own native soil ever 2 inch's. Please watch my video on this. Grew 8 tomatoes plants in one raised bed and they plants did fantastic.

[@GinaSiska]

This was the most interesting garden video I’ve ever seen! To actually see the life forms under a microscope is amazing and I can’t thank you enough. What is your background?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Wow, THANK YOU. Both my grandparent's where farmers. Each having over 300 acres. After my wife passed away at 36 years old from a rarer incurable cancer I decide to by a farm. My 2 sons where 6 & 4 at the time. So I had no money and why not farm with nature because I knew it works, it is all around us. I was very lucky to hear and be taught by Dr. Elaine Ingham. Top soil scientist that discover the Soil Food Web. Been doing it now for 20 years working with nature.

[@english1midlands]

If you likke this then you'll love KNF Korean Natural Farming.Take a look at Chris Trumps posts.He shows you a very simple way of harvesting the Microbes/Fungi with boiled rice placed on the soil for a couple of days.After 48hrs its covered with white furry Microbes which you can make IMO Indigenous Micro organisms that can be stored and used to treat the soil.

[@valoriegriego5212]

Wow, great info. 🙂 So glad I came across your channel.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Welcome! And Glad you found it. If any question just ask. THANK YOU for the sub.

[@buschleaguers75]

ok, so how do you get a proper amount of nematodes and protozoa to eat the bacteria?

[@iamorganicgardening]

This is the amazing thing. Nature does that for you. The only thing you have to do is not move the soil around to much. They self regulate themselves do to the food available. Nature is awesome.

[@lilywondertwin]

I am concerned about agricultural grade alfalfa though . Is there requirements to tell us what the fillers are ? I do biodynamic gardening and organic . I think the best way is to grow cover crops and till them in .

[@iamorganicgardening]

The two items I used the meal is Certified Organic. No fillers. The other is no filled and non gmo. They do have to tell you what is in the bag. I have a great plan stay will it.

[@engell3707]

Great stuff! Thank you! One question: what’s the shelf life of all this fertilizers that come in a bag? I recently purchased a lot of bat guano, seabird guano, kelp meal, alfalfa meal, blood meal, etc etc... Another question good sir: I always add diatomaceous earth to my super soil mix because it retains 20 times more water than regular soil and it’s rich in silica and trace minerals. The question is: are diatoms detrimental to bacteria?

[@bardobro]

Diatom shells shouldn't have any affect on bacteria. They are much larger than bacteria and probably provide a decent substrate. And the pesticide affect is only for dry DE; its main action is adsorption of lipids from the cuticles of invertebrate animals.

[@bitTorrenter]

I wouldn't use it to be honest. There may be beneficial insects and the DE might well have an effect if they come in contact with it. It can be used to kill bed bugs, carpet moth larvae etc, but I wouldn't use it in the garden. That's just me though.

[@kennypridemore5466]

Love the video !!! 😊

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad you found it helpful. 👍

[@carolparrish194]

Which would be more beneficial to the garden or are they equal in the end?

[@iamorganicgardening]

The alfalfa meal I would say is a little better we know the nitrogen content , Thanks.

[@waynetadlock9719]

😎

[@fayjason]

So helpful. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to the next video.

[@iamorganicgardening]

That is Very kind of you to say... THANK YOU, always here to help.

[@flyoverurbangarden4315]

Wow excellent video!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@salsa1bori]

Good info this guy going above & beyond thanks👍

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad to help and share with you and others. THANK YOU kindly.

[@scottsmith507]

Very good video Mark! Love when you pull out the microscope and let us all take a look. There is so much talk about using alfalfa as a fertilizer. Now I see pellets and meal are not the same. I was always wondering about what happens to microbes when soil is froze 4 feet deep. Thanks again for the lesson!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Glad it was helpful to see the difference. When the soil freezes or even below 60 degrees large amounts of microbes are not at all very active. But that is a good thing for both endo and ecto mycorrhizal fungi living in and on living plants roots as a host. THEY grow great now because nothing is eating them and they can grow and build soil.

[@garyhess382]

Mark what can you tell us about growing Borage in the garden and also for a cover crop. Thanks Gary

[@iamorganicgardening]

It is a herd. So great to use and help build soil. Thanks

[@thegrahamstead]

Great explanation! Thanks so much!

[@iamorganicgardening]

Thank You so much.

[@METALONLY100]

Learned alot thanks for sharing 👨‍🌾😁

[@jcbfree]

Just found your channel. The video was awesome. I have been using organic fertilizers and wanted to use alfalfa pellets but wasn't sure. What about alfalfa Cubes? Would that do the same?

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU for the sub. Pellets are 10 times less nitrogen. ( see my new video. ). We will never know what is in the cubes ( early harvest alfalfa or late harvest alfalfa, Big DIFFERENCE )

[@carolynandjoestriker4992]

What happens if you use Alfalfa pellets that are not organic? Does that mean that there are herbicides in it that will be harmful to your garden? The reason I ask is because I wonder what the sterilization process does to the pellets, if the herbicides are destroyed. I used alfalfa pellets last year not realizing they weren't organic and I wonder if I have ruined my soil...

[@iamorganicgardening]

Do not worry about your soil due to Pellets. First you only did it for one year. Second the soil heals itself by plants that place carbon back into the soil by it roots that takes CO2 from the air. This carbon binds the toxins to the carbon so it does not hurt us. Enjoy

[@donthegardener8670]

Great video Mark! Love how you and your microscope explain: Fungi eat the bacteria, and the resulting poop =s plant fertilizer. ;-) Presently fermenting table scraps, using the solids for compost additive, and adding alfalfa pellets to the liquid. (Bokashi tea) I use the pellets to insure a slower nutrient release in sandy soil. I also use coffee grounds up-top for extra nitrogen when growing cucumbers. Question: My daughter is extremely gluten intolerant! She read that a gardener gave this person with Celiac Disease cucumbers fertilized with coffee grounds. After consuming she had a bad intestinal allergic reaction due to the gluten in the ground-up coffee beans. Is this possible? A gluten transfer on a microscopic level?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Here is a How it works in this video link just click on it. : kzbin.info/www/bejne/hITOk4ZnpsmYjM0

[@classicrocklover5615]

I can only add my family's experience. I have a SIL who has celiac disease. She is so reactive to any gluten that she cannot eat commercially prepared ketchup. Wait? There's wheat in ketchup? No, but it is a part of commercially prepared vinegar, which is then used to make ketchup. So I don't think the issue is can gluten transfer from one product to the next. I think the question is how sensitive is the patient in question 🤔

[@amysnipes4245]

Thanks so much. You have provided a lot of good information.

[@iamorganicgardening]

So nice of you to say. THANK YOU.

[@stephanietaraderby8376]

This was fascinating, thank you. I'm using alfalfa meal in my seed and potting mixes. I'm just wondering if this, along with compost, will provide enough nutrition for the duration of the plants life in the pot- for example tomatoes grown in the same pot all season. Or should I add another fertiliser later on? What ratio of alfalfa should be used?

[@iamorganicgardening]

I would add worm casting also. 2 cups per gallon of mix .For any organic fertilizer to work you need soil microbes. It is not how high NPK numbers are, but how many microbes there are and how much they eat and make in to plant available nutrients. Thanks for asking.

[@stephanietaraderby8376]

@@iamorganicgardening Thank you for your response. I have a wormery actually so I will put the casts in with the mix. I also have green waste compost which I will use.

[@stephanietaraderby8376]

Oh I've read that worm compost can be too strong for some plants. But I don't understand what is meant by that?

[@iamorganicgardening]

@@stephanietaraderby8376 You can use pure worm casting on all plants in this world and all will be fine. You can never over do it. They are plant available nutrients from nature. Will never harm plants

[@stephanietaraderby8376]

@@iamorganicgardening Thank you. I never understood why people say that worm compost is too strong. Surely the plant just takes what it needs. Perhaps they are equating it to synthetic fertilisers.

[@NolimitErik1466]

Does these products contain triacontanol in the alfalfa pellets or the alfalfa meal?

[@lukeboshier]

Triacontanol occurs naturally in alfalfa. I think the trick is how to get it plant soluble in a short space of time, have seen people use enzymes and fulvic acid

[@iamorganicgardening]

@@lukeboshier Triacontanol only helps plant growth/yield when you apply it as a foliage spray. And that is ONLY after you extract the triacontanol. Adding pellets or meal does NOT help that. Thanks

[@danielfisch655]

Great video with easy to understand analysis. I use alfalfa hay for mulch around our fruit trees and vegetable garden and alfalfa meal to fertilize our roses. Thank you for sharing.

[@iamorganicgardening]

Great tip! THANK YOU for sharing.

[@tennesseenana4838]

I'm in 6b/7a and have hard clay soil in my yard with super slow drainage. Trying to dig in it is like digging in concrete. Can I just spread these pellets on top when it's raining to help amend this clay?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Sorry , that will not work. You have to break up the hard pan clay and add organic matter a make raise mounds of soil to give you a start.

[@tennesseenana4838]

@@iamorganicgardening Thanks for your reply. Looks like I have another job for the man who mows what grass I do have.

[@rrman2party]

I love the videos! Very educational and interesting. Thats why I am a sub for years now. Keep up the outstanding work.

[@iamorganicgardening]

I am here for you. Love to share. THANK YOU for your very kind words

[@jjohnson5014]

How do you apply the hydrated alfalfa to soil?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Mix or rake in the top half inch. Then if you have mulch please apply some on top when done.. Thanks for asking

[@garyb4929]

Very good , informative video . Thanks

[@iamorganicgardening]

So nice of you to say. THANK YOU. Happy Gardening year forward.

[@rk7630]

Question: is Alfalfa animal feed and fertilizer the same?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Yes, just pellet form for easy shipping.

[@rk7630]

Thank you for replying. 🙏🏼

[@jayfenwick4214]

What is your opinion on the JADAM method of adding micro biology to the soil

[@iamorganicgardening]

My organic gardening and farming channel is doing the close to same thing as JADAM. Thanks.

[@katjoy9921]

Amazing video...thanks

[@iamorganicgardening]

So nice of you to say, THANK YOU.

[@cqammaz53]

Cool video I enjoy it. Thanks for sharing

[@iamorganicgardening]

Very Kind of you.. THANKS.

[@lynnevans7248]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU for watching. Have a great week ahead.

[@sweetmary9326]

So which one is better alfal meal or pellets

[@iamorganicgardening]

Meal.

[@janetherriott3215]

This is CRAZY! I never imagined such a thing! AWESOME!!! Thank- you for showing me a whole new aspect of gardening!!!😊

[@iamorganicgardening]

Any time! Always here to help and share. THANK YOU.

[@dragonshadow3707]

Love it and your right nature is an amazing things we should all learn to appreciate it more cause if we did can you imagine how much better off we and the world would be that's a world I would love to live in.

[@iamorganicgardening]

I fully agree. THANK YOU.

[@chi-yangcheng8868]

Which product, alfalfa’s meal or pellet, provides the better value for gardening?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Meal. Thanks.

[@chi-yangcheng8868]

@@iamorganicgardening Thank you very much for your recommendation.

[@AB-qs7wi]

so i should wet and soak the pellets before putting them in my garden ?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Not necessary at all. Just wish to show you when they get wet what happens.

[@TheRPBishop]

Excellent video. Thank you. May I ask a question? I have a Jora (brand name) tumbler composter. It’s well considered in the market. From this tumbler, during rainy periods, there is seepage which I collect in a bucket underneath that is “compost tea”. During rainy season, I get much more than 100 litres. My understanding from this fantastic learning is that the tea saved is anaerobic unless oxygen is added. This year is my first year and I saved my “tea” over the months for use during the summer. Therefore, to make it aerobic, do I have to aerate it at the time of collection, or just before use.? How long is needed for the aeration process for say a 5 gallon bucket of the “tea” with saved rain water from my water butts? This tea is completely free of charge so as you will understand, I want to maximise its benefits and use! Thanks again Paul (from UK)

[@Cooky00123]

What is the best time of year to apply this to a garden?

[@iamorganicgardening]

About a 2weeks before planting your crop is a good standard. Thanks

[@andymejia8572]

This video is so awesome 🙌

[@iamorganicgardening]

THANK YOU so very much. Have a great Year Ahead

[@iwanttobelieve5970]

I wanted to buy the pellets but to have it delivered, it went from $12.99 to $35 for delivery. So, I decided to buy the Alfalfa Meal instead. So, thanks. I won't feel bad with my choice.

[@iamorganicgardening]

It is a great choice.. Well Done. THANK YOU

[@ronscott6163]

What would happen if you ground up the pellets before hydrating?

[@iamorganicgardening]

Not much change at all. Thanks for sharing.