Alfalfa planting in California.
Alfalfa planting in California is shaped by the state's 9a dominant hardiness zone, last frost date around March 1, and a 270-day growing season. Alfalfa can be grown in California with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Planting dates on this page are climatological estimates from USDA frost-date norms and zone-typical planting offsets. Verify against University of California Cooperative Extension for variety- and county-specific guidance.
Planting calendar — 2026
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
Planting windows
Spring planting
AlfalfaFall planting
AlfalfaHarvest window
Harvest timing varies with planting date and seasonal weather — these dates are typical for the ideal planting window.
Growing notes
Alfalfa is challenging in California's climate — focus on short-season varieties, raised beds, season extension (row cover, low tunnel), or microclimates with longer growing windows.
Alfalfa can be grown in California with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Agronomy reference
Establishment year produces limited harvest. Stand life 4-6 years with proper management. Spring vs. fall seeding strategy varies by region.
Common pests to watch
- Alfalfa weevil
- Potato leafhopper
- Aphids
Pest pressure varies by region and year. Confirm current outbreaks with University of California Cooperative Extension.
Common diseases
- Sclerotinia crown rot
- Verticillium wilt
- Phytophthora root rot
Resistance varieties shift each year. Check the current variety trial report for your state.
Variety selection
Alfalfa varieties for California live with your extension service.
Variety performance is micro-regional and changes with each year’s trial cycle. We don’t republish variety lists — instead, we point directly at the source.
Search the extension site for “alfalfavariety trial” or “recommended alfalfa varieties” to find the current report.
Yield varies significantly by variety, soil, fertility, and management. Consult your state extension service for variety performance trials in your region.
Beyond the harvest
Alfalfa as a hunting food plot.
Alfalfa is the highest-protein forage available to whitetail deer. Early-season alfalfa fields produce concentrated bow-season hunting opportunities, especially in western states with limited natural browse.
Alfalfa timing. Live alerts.
Bield: Farm ties weather and soil-temperature stations in your county to crop planting thresholds — get notified the day soil temp clears your target window.