How to Grow Alfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318
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Alfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318
Medicago sativa L.
grassAlfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318 is a cold-hardy perennial legume forage crop specifically bred for northern climates with dormancy characteristics that enhance winter survival. This variety combines high yield potential with excellent persistence in harsh conditions, making it ideal for livestock feed and agricultural rotation. It is a cornerstone crop in sustainable farming systems due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities.
When should you plant Alfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318 in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Alfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318 timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Alfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318
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 Dormant Vernal WL 318
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Alfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318 dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 2-6, with exceptional winter hardiness in very cold regions
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Get my Alfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318 timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge, developing into the first true leaves. Plant remains close to soil surface with delicate appearance.
Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Protect from foot traffic. Keep weed competition minimal. Avoid grazing until 6-8 inches tall.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksVigorous stem and leaf development with characteristic trifoliate (three-part) leaves. Plant grows upright, developing multiple shoots from crown.
Allow adequate growth before first harvest (10-12 inches height minimum). Maintain consistent moisture. Monitor for pests and diseases. First year requires light grazing or cutting only.
Pre-Flowering/Boot Stage
1-2 weeksFlower buds form in leaf axils. Plant reaches optimal cutting height (bud to early bloom stage). Nutritional quality is highest.
This is the ideal harvest window for maximum forage quality and protein content. Cut when 10% of florets have opened. Time cutting to minimize regrowth stress before dormancy.
Flowering
1-3 weeksPurple, pink, or white flowers bloom along stems in dense clusters. Plant is at peak visual maturity but declining forage quality.
Delay harvest beyond this stage if possible to allow seed set for stand persistence. Monitor for pollinators. High quality forage window is closing; protein content declining.
Dormancy/Overwintering
3-5 months (November-March in zone 3-4)Plant slows growth and enters winter dormancy. Above-ground growth halts; energy concentrates in crown and root system. Vernal dormancy type means early and deep dormancy.
Avoid fall grazing within 4 weeks of first hard frost to allow carbohydrate accumulation in roots. Do not harvest after September 1 in northern zones. Minimize winter damage risk by maintaining stand health.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Harvest at optimal growth stage to disrupt lifecycle; early spring cutting; parasitic wasps; severe infestations may require insecticide; resistant varieties available
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Monitor populations; heavy rain can reduce numbers; natural predators (ladybugs, lacewings); cutting can reduce populations; insecticide only if economically justified
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Harvest at early bud stage; tolerant/resistant varieties exist; maintain stand vigor; biological controls; insecticide as last resort
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Maintain field margins for predators; monitor populations; timely harvest can reduce pressure; chemical control only if population threshold exceeded
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Ensure good drainage and air circulation; harvest to reduce humidity; resistant varieties; fungicide rarely necessary in dormant types
Uses
Livestock Forage & Hay Production
CulinaryAlfalfa Dormant Vernal WL 318 is a premier high-protein forage crop for cattle, sheep, horses, and dairy operations. Premium quality hay is harvested at bud stage, providing excellent nutrition for livestock production. [source]
Soil Improvement & Nitrogen Fixation
HouseholdAs a legume, this alfalfa variety fixes atmospheric nitrogen through its root nodule symbiosis, improving soil fertility and reducing fertilizer requirements in crop rotations. This makes it invaluable in sustainable farming systems. [source]
Nutritional Supplement & Herbal Medicine
MedicinalAlfalfa contains saponins, flavonoids, and chlorophyll, and has been used traditionally to support digestive health, vitamin K content aids blood clotting, and general nutritional supplementation in herbal medicine. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Pollinator Support
WildlifeFlowering alfalfa provides nectar and pollen for honeybees, native bees, and beneficial insects. The dense foliage also provides habitat and cover for ground-nesting birds and small mammals. [source]
Seed Production & Agricultural Systems
CraftWL 318 can be grown for seed production in appropriate climates, providing future planting material. It serves as a foundational crop in diversified rotational farming systems. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
First cutting occurs in spring when plants reach bud to early bloom stage (typically April-May in zone 4). Subsequent cuttings every 4-6 weeks during growing season. In northern zones, allow final cutting before September 1 to ensure winter survival and dormancy. Typical yield: 3-5 tons dry matter per acre annually. Cut at 2-3 inches stubble height to allow regrowth. Morning cutting after dew dries maximizes nutritional value. WL 318's dormancy means fewer late-season cuttings but superior winter survival.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Alfalfa's scientific name 'Medicago sativa' means 'medicinal plant' in Latin, reflecting its long history as both livestock feed and herbal remedy spanning thousands of years.
- 🌱 The 'Vernal' designation refers to spring dormancy—this variety enters dormancy earlier and more deeply than non-dormant types, a key adaptation allowing survival of harsh winters in zones 2-3.
- 🌱 A single alfalfa plant can develop a tap root reaching 15+ feet deep, accessing water and nutrients far below the soil surface and making it remarkably drought-tolerant once established.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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