I wanted to advise you to check ingredients before you buy and avoid pellets that contain salt. I think the ones for goats are okay.

Feed stores sell alfalfa pellets without the extra additives, tell them your using them on roses, so, you get the correct pellets.
I do not use alfalfa pellets, so, i'll let someone else answer your other questions.

The one problem I have with alfalfa pellets (versus alfalfa meal) is flies. For reasons I don't know, the pellets seem to attract more flies.

As to the fly problem, perhaps they do in California, but here in the midwest I've never noticed any flies--perhaps because I apply mulch over the pellets after I have generously watered them into the soil.

Kate

I made alfalfa tea for the 1st time in July. I am posting the thread where I found the recipes and suggestions. I do not have a large garden, so I mixed the tea in 5 gallon buckets.

Here is a link that might be useful: alfalfa tea thread

Look at 100% alfalfa cubes, too. They work the same as pellets and are likely to have fewer additives. They are dried chopped alfalfa compressed into 2 inch cubes. As far as I can tell, California cubes don't have additives, but you should confirm with the seller.

If you garden in a civilized suburban setting, you can toss them out to the dripline and water them in. If you garden where there are vermin or want to avoid the hand-watering, put them in a garbage can, add water, and dole the mash out to your roses.

You don't need to overdo it. I add at roughly 1 cup of alfalfa to a 3 foot diameter dripline. Adjust to the size of the dripline of the rose. The primary additive is a hormone that aids in root growth. In Zone 9 California, early fall (right now) is a time of tremendous root growth, as is late winter to early spring. I'd do it soon. I'm sure you do no harm by adding more or at other times, but IMO it's a labor intensive exercise, so I want to get my money's worth. Once a year is fine. I find it really beneficial in pots and can't manage it any more with the planted roses because it is to labor intensive with a lot of big roses. Follow up to make sure it doesn't form a crust on the surface. You might need to break it up.

I don't know what you mulch with, but I put it on top of the mulch I use.

I spread and spray. Don't care for meal as it blows all over the place including my nose. Topping with mulch is sensible and aesthetic if not, you may want to wave a hoe once or twice as it will break down better in the soil than on top. Have never seen flies attracted to it over the years I've used it.

There was another thread on using too much, re the nitrogen even though alfalfa is weak. I think that may depend on what other fertilizers your using, type of soil, pH, etc. Sooo, all that said, I don't think I get too many basals (which is the main reason for using it, to encourage them) so I continue to overdo. So, in my decomposing granite, I use 1-3 cups depending on size of bush, some are pretty big. If I'm on top of things, and depending on how early spring comes, 2-3x/year. If people say once is enough, I suppose it is, but I get it cheap local (~$6/50#) and it is easy to toss out if I take a bucket and a cup.

As for type, just ask if it has salt in it, it's on the bag. I know rabbit feed for one has salt in it.

Don't buy the ones containing salt. I have always sprinkled a cup to a cup and a half around the base of the bush and scratched into the soil. No need to soak. Your watering and God's good rain will do the rest.

I soaked mine and then scooped the mush out around the roses. That cut down on the dust a lot, which bothered me the first couple of times I did it.

I just throw a handful or two around each full-size bush and let them break down slowly with the irrigation and/or rainfall. I used to make tea but the husband complained.

I use pellets in early fall and early spring when I fertilize, usually with a granular. Alfalfa meal is a main component in a lot of organic or boutique fertilizers so if you're using Mills Magic or similar, you may not need to add much, either.

Most of the local feed and tack stores here in Phoenix will sell alfalfa by the pound. Although it isn't expensive, like iron chelate for instance, you can start with a smaller amount than 50 lbs. I've never had a fly problem with alfalfa and the ingredient we watch for in this area is molasses but yeah, we don't need to add salt in our alkaline environment.

I'd like to try alfalfa, but we have wild rabbits that show up. Guessing they will eat the alfalfa. Any way to prevent this?

Not just rabbits but voles, chipmunks, squirrels and more. That’s why I make tea.