You may also want to examine the history of lawns to better understand why todays homeowner considers clover a weed at all. Turf-type tall fescue and microclover mixture, from UMD Turfgrass Technical Update, 2015. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. This Red Clover Blossom Smoothie Improves Bone Health and Manages Hot Flashes, Studies Find Canine Cancers Linked to Lawn Care Chemicals, BPA In Canned Food and Why You Need To Avoid It, This Is Why Oversleeping Is As Bad As Undersleeping, 10 Foods That Cause Chronic Inflammation and Trigger Pain, Fatigue, Bloating + More, How to Eliminate Toxins From Fat Cells That Are Making You Fatigued and Swollen, This One Stretch Relieves Plantar Fasciitis, Shin Splints, Achilles Pain, and Heel Pain, Latest Sunscreen Recall Raises Concern Over Chemicals, How to Plant Lemongrass to Repel Mosquitoes. Once you achieve the size and look youre going for, you can reduce mowing to as little as once per monthor mow weekly for tighter, lower growth and to control blossoming. A clover-only planting would worry me in regard to its ability to keep the weeds out. Strawberry clover isnt as well known as white clover. Microclover "spoon feeds" nitrogen to the grass, producing a healthy, dense and naturally green lawn. The most commonly used perennial clovers in the United States are white clover and red clover. Even if youre not looking to entirely convert your lawn to a clover haven, know that its perfectly fine (and even healthy) for this common plant to show up in your grass and backyard. 3) Clover is not durable enough for high-traffic areas. Spread the seeds evenly by seeding north-south/north-south, and then once more east-west/east-west. Ten minutes of the sprinkler twice a day is sufficient, but water according to your needs (and your local climate). If I missed anything or have created other questions, please feel free to holler! While most plants appreciate some shade in the heat of summer, too much shade will cause microclover lawns to struggle. This is especially true with warm season grasses being grown on droughty soils. Varieties within a clover species can vary considerably with regard to yield, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and other factors. Dear Sarah, Also, the hearty clover keeps other weeds from creeping in. While dog urine can discolor most grasses, clover isnt affected by it and will remain green and attractive. But another great reason to seed micro clover into your grass is to make your existing lawn healthier. In this area, Southern blight disease caused by prolonged periods of high heat and humidity is deadly to micro clover. Great for grazing. Bred for low height and small leaves, it can be used as a standalone ground cover or as 2% - 5% of a lawn mix. This means it keeps your lawn looking greener and lusher throughout the spring and summer. The types of clover generally used in lawns are strawberry clover, white clover or red clover. 1) Is Trifolium repens L. var. By itself, clover doesnt hold up well to repeated heavy foot traffic or playing fields, However, when blended with turfgrass, it can make a strong lawn and take occasional heavy traffic. Helps out-compete weeds, and keeps grass green all season long. So this does raise some questions: Given your reply above, are you saying my BBU lawn should be more drought tolerant than micro-clover? First, Microclover seed is expensive. The sowing rate for an existing lawn is 1.5 pounds for 10,000 square feet. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Combined with the fact that clover requires little in the way of watering, mowing, and pest control, clover lawn seed can be an economical option compared to many traditional grass varieties. Microclover ( Trifolium repens var. But various websites, and comments from purchasers of a microclover on Amazon, say that their product can be much taller3-6 or more, as per Davids comment above. Shelley has been writing and editing garden stories for 10 years, and has a Master Gardeners certificate in Oregon. Keep reading to learn more about clover lawns and whether or not its a viable option for your outdoor space. Ball Clover This winter annual is sometimes mistaken for white clover, but the blooms are smaller and more rounded. Deciding between coated and non-coated seeds will depend on the condition of your soil. Stacy Tornio has authored more than 15 books about animals, nature, and gardening. But there are also a lot of reasons to grow a clover lawn. If you have white clover ground cover, it can appear patchy and bare in heavily traveled areas. It is a great quality micro clover seed mixed with fescue that blends seamlessly with most lawns. Tolerates closer mowing than standard white clover. If undesirable weeds appear, its important not to treat with any broadleaf herbicides, Delayed germination is due to hard seed which have a seed coat that must be broken down over time to allow water to enter the seed. These are all perennial clovers, as opposed to annual clover types that complete their life cycles in a single year. Sow seed at the recommended rate and water well to establish quickly. If youre looking for something low-maintenance, beautiful, and drought tolerant, that would be my top recommendation (if youre open to grass I know a lot of readers on this page are specifically looking for grass lawn alternatives). Micro clover is a smaller variety of White Clover. It seems to be pretty popular amongst grazers. When seeded into warm season grasses, they are normally planted near the expected date of the first killing frost. Diseases are rare with microclover, though soggy, brown patches may indicate Southern blight, a disease occurring in hot, moist climates. Because of this, right after your aerate is a great time to add clover seeds to your lawn. Berseem Clover Berseem clover is an annual which bears a superficial resemblance to alfalfa. Each clover stem will have three small petal-shaped leaves (four if youre lucky!) It makes most of its growth in mid-spring. The primary period of growth is early to mid-spring. After a decade gracing European lawns, micro clover has arrived in North America as the next big thing in lawn alternatives. 2. Dutch White Clover Trifolium repens f. hollandicum - Smith Seed Difference #1: When regularly mown, Microclover is smaller, shorter, and more compact than Common White Clover. White clover is a moderately drought-tolerant ground cover if the plants are spaced out. So if you make a lot of use out of your backyard, playing sports and roughing around on the lawn, you might want to consider grass instead. Microcloverrefers to smaller varieties of white clover(Trifolium repensvar. For most people the elevated up-front cost will provide savings in the long run. While clover is certainly nothing new, the buzz has been focused on the latest varieties of white clover that have been bred for smaller and smaller leaf sizes. Sowing the same size areawith a premium grass seed will cost about $100 or less, depending on the brand and the store. This type of clover is considered aggressive and invasive in some areas, which is important to keep in mind when monitoring its growth. Autumn-planted annual clovers are often grown in mixtures with annual ryegrass and/or smallgrain (usually rye, wheat, or oats) which provide more autumn and winter production. What should I do? Clover is soft and cool, providing a carpet for barefoot walkers. What Ive come to find is that micro clover is a much more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option over grass. In seeding micro clover in semi mature lawns, what is the norm for mowing? White clover is a low-growing forage legume used predominantly in pasture mixtures with grasses. Required fields are marked *. Clover, therefore, does the work of a fertilizer, eliminating that additional expense for gardeners. Please check your inbox to download your FREE eBook. My next-door neighbor seeded micro-clover in his front lawn this spring with great results, and across the street from him I have a neighbor that laid bluegrass sod a few years ago. Clover forms dense clumps that spread by their secondary roots and will out-compete broadleaf weeds, so it effectively acts as its own herbicide. You might start with a clover and drought-tolerant grass seed mix of 80:20, and then alter your ratio as you see fit and based on the results. It is best suited to well-drained soils, and is most popular in certain low rainfall areas of central Oklahoma,north central Texas, and California. Micro Clover is a dwarf cultivar of white clover characterized by smaller leaflets and fewer blooms. Using pruning shears or scissors, cut the offshoot to separate it from the mother plant. From what I have read, it is only supposed to grow 1-3 high. To prevent that, plant microclover, which produces fewer flowers than Dutch white clover, or mow before the flowers bloom. Micro clover plants also don't clump up as much as traditional white clover, making it more desirable for turfs. View our Seasonal Sale, with Free Shipping over $99. Our microclover has a special coating that helps it get established and providing nitrogen to fertilize your lawn 6 - 9 months sooner than clover that isn't coated and inoculated with our special seed starter. Clover lawns are visually stunning, give nutrients back to the soil, and are a nectar source for bees. Filed Under: Environment, Gardening Tagged With: clover lawn pros and cons, how to grow a micro clover lawn, micro clover, micro clover lawn, micro clover lawn pros and cons. It spreads out to fill holes in your turfgrass and creates a dense canopy which prevents weeds from germinating. You can grow a micro-clover lawn in just about any season, but it is best if you sow during spring or early summer when temperatures are still cool. Sunday makes it easy to transform your lawn. Hi Jay I dont know of any personally, but I can assure you that clover is a much better option than grass. Seed with a thin coating of soil and sand to improve germination rates, rake lightly, and press. Ideally not your own address for your privacy.. Having some trouble talking my wife into taking this approach. Yes, the heat and drought this summer was brutal. If youre not 100% tied to the idea of clover and are open to a drought-tolerant grass Id consider Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra. Microclover Lawn Seed - Good Nature Organic Landscape Supply The best temperature for white clover is between 50 degrees and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Low-maintenance Dutch clovers and microclovers, strains in the family of white clovers, are currently the top choices. Micro clover seeds are extra fine in texture. Thus, there are situations in which use of an annual clover with perennial grass is preferable. https://www.naturesseed.com/skin/frontend/naturesfinest/vstyle/images/logo.png. Keep some seeds left behind in case you have to fill any holes after the fact. Just from reading that website it seems like the major difference is that mini clover has smaller leaves and visually blends into the look of a turf grass lawn better than ordinary clover. That was fascinating to me! Great questions Ill try to respond to each below: In my experience micro clover tends to be about 25% more drought tolerant than traditional grass. Other seeds recommended for blending with microclover include: Check with your local extension office to see which specific grasses are recommended in your area. Beneficial for Pollinators and Wildlife: the flowers of clover are an important nectar source for pollinating insects like bees. "The Role of Clover." Water regularly to ensure your soil doesnt dry out. Topsoil will help retain moisture for the first couple weeks after planting. When this top growth dies, it can leave bare spots in your lawn. The white microclover lawn is very dense, very lush, and very beautiful. Micro Clover Lawn Pros And Cons: Should You Have Them? - Den Residence Microclover needs 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. 11. Please enter your email address below to receive a password reset link. While manicured monocultural lawns may look nice, they have drawbacks, such as depriving pollinators of food and habitat and requiring greater water consumption, maintenance, and chemical treatment than a clover lawn requires. Clover is an important part of having a green, low maintenance lawn that doesn't need a lot of water. Your email address will not be published. Sow clover seed at roughly 6 to 8 ounces per 1,000 square feet. Microclover doesnt grow well in shade, so it is only suitable for areas receiving direct sunlight. Sun or Shade: clover grows well in both sun and shade. This health benefit is one of the main reasons people are adding micro clover to their lawns. 15 Reasons Why a Clover Lawn is Better Than a Grass Lawn Some experts say it grows best in zones without extremely high temperatures and extended periods of drought. White clover (aka Dutch clover) crowds out weeds, thanks to its dense roots and fast growth, so theres no need to use herbicides on a clover lawn. I did not water at all this summer(too many other things to do). Arrowleaf Clover Arrowleaf clover is a productive annual that makes most of its growth in late spring. As mentioned previously, micro clover is not right for everyone. However, success in obtaining reseeded stands varies depending on environmental conditions at seed maturation. Compared to white clover, a common part of lawns in the past, microclover has smaller leaves, grows lower to the ground, and doesn't grow in clumps. with a white V or crescent. My question is whether there is Good morning, Subterranean clover does not yield as well as arrowleaf clover, berseem clover, or crimson clover,but can produce seed under heavy grazing pressure. Benefits of Having Microclover It was first developed in Denmark and Netherland to use on the golf course. One of the easier options for getting started is to add seeds to your existing space a little at a time. Adding seeds a little bit at a time is a convenient way to get your clover lawn started. Some homeowners like to mow their lawns midseason to tidy it up and deadhead flowers. The biggest advantage to this small-leaved version is how it blends with a grass lawn. This clover should be planted on well-drained soils. Microclover: This dwarf variety of Dutch white clover is lower-growing with smaller leaves and fewer flowers than its relative. That invites grounding, or earthing, which studies show is beneficial for human health because the electrical connectivity with the earth restores the immune system, much like antioxidants do. Dont water too heavily or your seeds will run off and pool in low areas. It will stay green throughout the year and produce plenty of flowers, which are popular among bees looking for nectar. I happen to be in Winnipeg a well! Broadcasting microclover works much better than broadcasting regular grass seed. Can I mow full size Dutch White and have the same results as Miniclover would offer? They can be established either in autumn or spring in many areas,with most plantings in the northern United States being made in spring, and a higher percentage of autumn plantings occurring the farther south one goes. Your email address will not be published. While the white clover is the most popular and easiest to find on the market, other varieties may better suit your lawn conditions. Still have a question? So I dont really think that Black Beauty Ultra will be more drought tolerant than micro clover, but the drought tolerance may be comparable based on what I saw in my neighborhood this summer. Clover is a benefit to yards with poor soil, and it can thrive in compacted or poorly draining soil. All of your herbivores will have a taste for clover. Going through a list of clover lawn pros and cons can help anyone make the decision if a clover lawn is the right option for them. lol, I have been doing this for years. I am afraid it would be crowded out on its own. Its tiny leaves are about one third the size of traditional clover, and it doesnt clump together, making it look less like a weed and more like the even green lawns people love.