Alfalfa Grass In my Kitchen Window

Alfalfa grass is grown here in Eastern New Mexico for cows to eat.       Sometimes the cows are allowed to graze on fields of alfalfa and sometimes the fields are cut and baled for the cows to eat later.

There aren't too many alfalfa fields here in our area,   but if we drive about 60 miles west,   there are lots of fields around the little town of  Ft Sumner,  New Mexico.        

There is also a lake about 10 miles out of Ft Sumner,    and that's the reason H & I drove over there yesterday   (but that's going to be a different post)

H & I always travel with a pail and some water just in case I spot some wildflowers along the way.    I was on the look out for some sunflowers  (which I didn't find)   but was just as happy with the alfalfa we cut along the roadside.

Here's where we stopped to cut some along the roadside.     Everyone in the area is so nice,    they don't mind if you cut wild flowers along the roadside as long as you don't go out into their field.

We don't get a lot of rain here in New Mexico,    so farmers water their crops by flood irrigation.    They have channels that run along the side of the fields that are fed from the nearby lake.    If the field needs to be watered,   the farmer will just open the levy and let the channel overflow into the field.

This is how a field looks when it's flooded.

The cows can graze on the fields or the farmer may choose to cut it and put in in rolls like you see in this photo.   It's my understanding that the fields last a couple of years before needing to be replanted and can be cut or grazed on several times during the growing season.....that's what one of the farmers told me.

   Farmers store the rolls in a dry area and use them to feed the cattle when the alfalfa fields are dormant     

Alfalfa sprouts are seen on almost all of the salad bars in our area.    I found this site for you guys that shows how to make your own alfalfa sprouts at home.      https://www.culturesforhealth.com/learn/sprouting/how-to-sprout-alfalfa-seeds/ 

I read that it was best to plant alfalfa in the fall or spring,    so I might just plant some in one of my flower beds this September.      I think it would give my backyard a Farmhouse feel......lol! 

Well,    I guess I better find another spot for my alfalfa,   I need the sink to start lunch.

I always enjoy your visits so much,    please stop by again soon!