Kate, I have an evil plan. I want to get a few chickens, feed them alfalfa and get omega-3 eggs in return. ;)

But, yes, for my diet, that will be sprouts. Definitely organic. I was thinking barley on a small scale, just enough to get my own heirloom seeds and small young leaves, then the rest to go into the compost.

The problem with growing these plants, is that because they are not common, there is no instructions on when to plant and how to care.

The reason you can't find instructions on how to grow barley and alfalfa is that neither are well suited to Florida conditions. From what I can recall reading back when I was looking for the very same info is that barley doesn't like acid sandy soils nor does it care for high humidity. Alfalfa apparently can be successfully grown as a short-lived perennial in northernmost Florida, but I could not find anything on it for the peninsula. It doesn't like high humidity either.

I did try the alfalfa and while it grew for several months I can't say that it ever thrived.

.....Alan.

Alan, thanks for the encouragement! Well, since I already have the seeds, I will try them in raised beds and will watch the PH closely. If they don't like humidity, maybe I plant them in September? I see ads on craigslist people selling alfalfa hay, but maybe it's not the same thing.

Lots of alfalfa hay sold in Florida. All imported from up north.

If you want to grow your own I'd suggest looking at perennial peanut. It's very close to alfalfa in protein and nutrient composition and likes our Florida conditions.

If you do try the barley it's going to be a winter crop almost certainly. EDIS has info on growing small grains like wheat, oats, and rye. I'd use that for the barley. Please do post what your results are.

.....Alan.

Yuliana, I commend your intent to use sustainable methods! However, alfalfa and barley may not give you the best (if any) yields in our state. Have you considered letting the chickens free range on grass/ grubs? It is my understanding that there are alpha omega 3's to be had from animals fed on pasture and bugs. We have lots of grass year round and certainly we have grubs and bugs! Alternatively, if they are not pastured, consider feeding them your leftover greens and vegetable kitchen scraps, and move their runs enough to dine on your yard's allotment of bugs and grubs.

I am dying to have a few girls myself. Could you show us pics of yours and tell us what kind they are? Thanks.

Anna

Just wondering how the barley turned out. I have a friend in North Florida that grows alfalfa every year and has been for many. He's closer to Georgia where the soil is more clay based. Down here in the beach sand we grow Bahia for hay.

For your chickens, try a little brown top millet in the summer and winter rye in the winter. I've been doing this for a couple years and the chickens and pigs both love it.

We're going to try a pasture blend this fall, hopefully all grows well