Description

Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial, spreading, flowering legume, with edible leaves and purple flowers. Lucerne can be used as a fodder crop, a green manure crop or as a cover crop in beds that would otherwise be empty. Dig the plant into the ground before it flowers. Alfalfa fixes nitrogen when the appropriate rhizobia are present in soil. This plant was traditionally used as a medicinal herb. Alfalfa sprouts or microgreens are delicious and highly nutritious. The sprouts have a fresh, mild flavour and crisp texture. Leave seed heads on to add some crunch, or wash them off before serving.