I've seen a huge, fantastic difference in my daylilies since I started using alfalfa pellets. Haven't bought any this year, and still have a full bag from last year. The worms have loved it. I only saw two worms in the garden when we moved in almost a year ago and I cleared out the weeds. Now I can't stick a shovel in the ground without having lots of worms in the dirt. To me, it made a huge improvement, not only in my plants, but in my soil.

Had to ask the question twice before I got a real answer. The first answer was: "We use a variety of pesticides/herbicides in our fields." I wrote back and said that wasn't what I asked.

Here's the 2nd answer.

Mary:

As of December 1, 2013, Standlee will have a limited amount of GMO Alfalfa and Alfalfa blended products in retail outlets. GMO Alfalfa could be found in cubes, pallets, chopped or bales.

Standlee Premium Western Forage™ recognizes and respects that consumers appreciate a variety of product choices. Therefore, Standlee provides non-GMO straight Timothy Grass and Orchard Grass options across formats. (IE: Orchard Grass Pellets, Timothy Grass Pellets & Bales).

Thanks
Ronda VanZante
Customer Service Representative/Claims Coordinator

Thanks Mary. Their answer is very interesting. I can't imagine anyone going out of their way to buy GMO alfalfa products! It's good to know, though, that they will have non-GMO products. Probably at twice the price now too.

Natalie said:Thanks Mary. Their answer is very interesting. I can't imagine anyone going out of their way to buy GMO alfalfa products! It's good to know, though, that they will have non-GMO products. Probably at twice the price now too.

yeah, but I've not heard anyone say they use timothy grass or orchard grass to improve their daylily beds. and their product specifications for alfalfa pellets states:

Can be used as an organic fertilizer in gardens or flower beds Not sure that's true, if they routinely use herbicides/pesticides on their fields, AND plant GMO crops

I don't know that there would be a huge difference. Hay usually has some alfalfa in it. Not always, but it's common. All are putting organic matter into the soil. It really may not matter if it's alfalfa or hay or grass.

thanks

I don't think that I've ever seen hay or grass pellets sold. Just alfalfa pellets. I'll have to look into that.

I thought one reason Alfalfa was recommended is because it processed a natural growth stimulator. don't think grass or hay does.

No idea about that. It does stimulate the growth of the worms though!

I think that putting any organic material into the dirt is better than not putting any organic material into the dirt. Maybe one works better than others, but I can't imagine that it would do any harm. I may be totally wrong about that, but it seems to me that if you can't get non-GMO alfalfa pellets, then grass or hay would be better than nothing. Also, the GMO alfalfa pellets may do no harm to the daylilies. I won't use chemicals of any kind in my veggie gardens, but I'm not going to eat my daylilies, so maybe it's nothing to worry about. That is, if it won't harm the plants and worms.

Seedfork said:I thought one reason Alfalfa was recommended is because it processed a natural growth stimulator. don't think grass or hay does.

Alfalfa has higher nitrogen content than grass or hay.
I've used alfalfa in the past, but won't use any GMO alfalfa if I can avoid it.

Another great fertilizer source is leaves.
Each year homeowners haul bags and bags of wonderful leaves to the landfill.
This is a total waste of resource. I gather leaves wherever I can and have spots where nothing would grow now filled with greenery.

about the alfalfa. I guess I'm just thinking that anything is better than nothing, so if I could only get non-GMO hay or grass, I'd pick that over GMO alfalfa.

I'm a leaf hoarder myself! No way to collect them where I live, other than from my own yard, but I tried to get every one of them last fall, and put them in the garden. They are wonderful!

I don't know, I'm not terribly concerned about GMO alfalfa, but if given the option I would select non-GMO pellets. Of course, not having the option is most of the problem I supposed, and I am not purchasing it for feed.

Guess that is the reason I have never used Alfalfa, too many leaves and grass clippings available for free! I have piles of them and compost piles scattered all over, I do tons of compost and leaf mold though out the year, plus using shredded leaves for mulch.

fiwit said:My Tractor Supply Co. sells Standlee Alfalfa Pellets -- I just left them a message via their website asking if they use roundup-ready alfalfa. I'll let you guys know what I hear (they said it could be 2 business days)

If you go to their website this is what it says

As of December 1, 2013, Standlee will have a limited amount of GMO Alfalfa and Alfalfa Blended products in retail outlets. GMO Alfalfa could be found in cubes, pellets, chopped or bales.
Standlee Premium Western Forage® recognizes and respects that consumers appreciate a variety of product choices. Therefore, Standlee provides non-GMO straight Timothy Grass and Orchard Grass options across formats. (IE: Orchard Grass Pellets, Timothy Grass Pellets & Bales)
Visit our products overview page for a complete list of products.

So that tells me that everything EXCEPT non-GMO straight Timothy Grass and Orchard Grass options across formats. (IE: Orchard Grass Pellets, Timothy Grass Pellets & Bales) is GMO alfalfa

So if I buy Timothy or Orchard Grass Pellets it should be non-GMO? Are we good??

Frillylily said:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Haber
this ?

Nope. It is more like:

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Ho...

But that isn't it either.

virginiarose said:Thanks! I just found this link on my Facebook and I thought it was too interesting. Makes you wonder....

http://www.rodalenews.com/roun...

Some things may solve themselves: "....There's mounting evidence linking glyphosate to infertility..."

virginiarose said:So if I buy Timothy or Orchard Grass Pellets it should be non-GMO? Are we good??

Susan, why not just get some good organic cow manure, or use fish emulsion and seaweed?
I mentioned Fertrell fertilizer previously and that also contains the rock dusts.
Rock dusts are often overlooked, but are hugely important in plant health and growth.
The Albrecht Papers has a good study on the issue for those wanting more info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0911311076/

Forgot to mention earlier that that other than the alfalfa pellets, the only fertilizer I use is seaweed. It's awesome stuff!

virginiarose said:So if I buy Timothy or Orchard Grass Pellets it should be non-GMO? Are we good??

Well, I would think that they are not the same (have same growth hormone) as the alfalfa does. I haven't looked into it though.

Xenacrockett said:

Some things may solve themselves: "....There's mounting evidence linking glyphosate to infertility..."



Susan, why not just get some good organic cow manure, or use fish emulsion and seaweed?
I mentioned Fertrell fertilizer previously and that also contains the rock dusts.
Rock dusts are often overlooked, but are hugely important in plant health and growth.
The Albrecht Papers has a good study on the issue for those wanting more info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0911311076/

Thank you!! I did have that on my list, now that I know it is not just a bag of poo! LOL. I have a friend that attracts worms with used coffee grounds. I will get the cow manure compost for now! Speaking of manure I still have and use the Milorganite and the daylilies love it, so do my Hostas. It will repel rabbits, squirrels and cats because they do not like the smell, but keep it away from dogs. LOL, they like to roll around in it.