Aurora Lucerne Seeds
Botanical name: Medicago sativa
Family: Legume family Fabaceae.
Other names: Alfalfa
Coverage: Approx. 1000m² per kg – High-performing perennial legume for soil improvement, forage, and pollinator support.
Aurora Lucerne is a hardy, deep-rooted perennial ideal for enhancing soil structure, fixing nitrogen, attracting beneficial insects, and providing nutritious forage. It performs best in well-drained, fertile soils and is a reliable option for pasture improvement, vineyard inter-row planting, orchards, and vegetable garden margins.
Why Choose Aurora?
Aurora is a widely adapted variety of lucerne with excellent persistence in suitable soils. It adds organic matter, supports biodiversity, and delivers long-term soil and forage benefits. While it is susceptible to aphids, its many advantages make it a popular cover crop and pasture legume in both temperate and subtropical regions.
Key Benefits:
- Fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through root nodules
- Develops deep taproots that break up compacted soils and improve drainage
- Improves soil structure and adds organic matter
- Attracts beneficial bees and insects when flowering
- Provides excellent forage and ground cover for livestock or soil protection
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Perennial legume; drought tolerant once established
- Growth Height: 50–80 cm
- Pest Note: No resistance to aphids – monitor and manage accordingly
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
- Temperate regions: Autumn to Spring
- Subtropical regions: Late Autumn to early July
- Germination: 7–14 days depending on temperature and moisture
- Depth: Sow 0.5–1.5 cm deep
- Position: Full sun; avoid shaded or poorly drained areas
- Sow Where: Direct sow into prepared beds, pasture, or open fields; broadcast and rake in
- Soil Type: Requires well-drained, fertile soil; avoid acidic soils (prefers pH 6.0–8.0)
- Spacing: For pasture: 5–10 kg/ha mixed; for monoculture: 12–20 kg/ha
Maintenance:
- Keep soil moist during establishment; water deeply during extended dry periods
- Regular cutting or grazing maintains vigour and prevents woody growth
Soil Incorporation or Use:
Use as a long-term living mulch or seasonal green manure. To build soil fertility, cut before flowering and incorporate into soil, or leave as a surface mulch in no-dig systems.
