Lime where necessary, since microclover does best with a pH of 6 to 7. The most hardy variety has similar winter hardiness to arrowleaf clover or crimson clover, but varieties often grown in western states are much less cold tolerant. 6. There are many types of clover, most of which are similar in appearance. Interestingly enough, (I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it) I was in a pasture today where the landowner is following his cattle with chickens. Some people do kill their lawn and start over, sowing their entire lawn in micro clover. White Clover: Also called Trifolium repens or Dutch clover, this variety typically grows taller than microclover. Is the presence of micro clover in your lawn a gardening delight or a gardening fail? That was fascinating to me! Its a little pricey, but a very high quality micro-clover that you can expect to stay true when it self-seeds. Should I plant a ground cover such as Creeping thyme or Snow in summer? If the seeds are broadcast over an existing lawn, germination will be greatly reduced (hence why raking deep into the grass to open up spots of soil is recommended). The most commonly used perennial clovers in the United States are white clover and red clover. Many landscapers and gardeners suggest converting to a clover lawn gradually rather than digging up your lawn and making it happen all at once. Its a contentious debate. Redclover can be more of a tender plant compared to other clovers. When planting a new lawn with micro clover, prepare the top 4 to 6 inches of your soil by tilling and adding compost. Increasing nectar sources for pollinating insects like bees will improve our ecosystem at large. Native to the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia, it may not thrive in areas prone to extremely high or low temperatures; however, it does well in nearly all kinds of soil. Annuals reproduce only from seed, while perennials propagate through both seed and spreading roots. How is Microclover Different from Common White Clover? 1) Is Trifolium repens L. var. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Is micro clover the way to go? It is also perfect for being planted between paving stones, and looks great, too. This will introduce air, water, and nutrients into the soil and give your seed a better chance of taking hold. It doesn't flower nearly as much as traditional White Clover, but it does flower some, mostly in its second season. As you plant perennials, mix in clover in between or in those hard-to-grow areas. My question is whether there is Good morning, For this method, all you have to do is toss out seeds and water them, just as you would with grass seed. Where can I get true Microclover? In fact, microclover will grow more densely and produce smaller leaves the more frequently it is mowed, which is ideal if you want a traditional green lawn look. Mini Clover or microclover - Ask Extension. Microclover is one such variety developed by the DLF seed company. lol, I have been doing this for years. This type of clover is used by many vineyards and orchards. I did not water at all this summer(too many other things to do). We all know that chemical fertilizers can run off during a heavy rain and end up in local water sources. I recommend Sundays Lucky Lawn clover and grass seed blend. The protein concentration of white clover will exceed 15% and the digestibility 70%. A single 5 pound bag will overseed 2,500 square feet! Perennial clovers also make seed, but (assuming environmental conditions and management are appropriate) individual plants can live more than one year. Clover forms dense clumps that spread by their secondary roots and will out-compete broadleaf weeds, so it effectively acts as its own herbicide. Grows 4 to 6 inches tall. Required fields are marked *. University of Maryland Extension. Turner, Dr. Thomas. These attract earthworms, which help keep the soil loose (and, therefore, in need of no aeration) and reduce thatch buildup. In that setting, it is only utilized for 2 crop years before removal. Other options include adding clover seed during the core aeration process or digging up parts of your grass lawn. 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. Thus, it is an excellent reseeder. She is a master gardener and master naturalist. Its familiar round, white, and fragrant flowers dot the landscape of a clover lawn. Lori Lovely, 15 Natural Pest-Control Strategies for Your Home Landscape, sweet smell that emanates from the flowers, 12 Ways to Be a Good Neighborto Your Backyard Wildlife, Keep Off the Grass: 5 Alternatives to a Traditional Lawn, 9 Famous Gardens to Inspire Your Next Project, No Mow May: 8 Reasons to Let Your Lawn Grow for a Month, 7 Important Things to Know About Fence Post Repair, 7 Important Things to Know About Your Squirrel Feeder, The Only 7 Tools You Need to Paint Any Room. 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. Microclover ( Trifolium repens var. Clover will also remain green during the hottest months of the year when the rest of your lawn may be turning brown. They grow very close to the ground. At the sight of a clover in an otherwise pristine grass lawn, zealous homeowners used to grab a spade or the weed-n-feed, and excise the poor plant. Clover is an important part of having a green, low maintenance lawn that doesn't need a lot of water. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. She currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a determined life mission to help inspire and motivate individuals to critically think about what they put in their bodies and to find balance through nutrition and lifestyle. 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. Microclover Seed: A Grass Lawn'S Best Friend | Nature's Seed A good way to determine the usefulness of various clovers in a given situation is to simply purchase some seed and make trial plantings. If you plant too late in the fall, it might not germinate till next spring. However, success in obtaining reseeded stands varies depending on environmental conditions at seed maturation. When you opt-in you will also receive a weekly email update. RELATED: 15 Natural Pest-Control Strategies for Your Home Landscape. Instead, prevent weeds from colonizing your lawn by starting with clean, nutritious soil at the correct pH. But there are also a lot of reasons to grow a clover lawn. In some zones, the lush green foliage goes dormant and turns brown in the winter. Dogs Can Pee on It: clover is immune to dog patches you know, those dead, dried out parts of the lawn that cant stand the urea that comes from pee from dogs. Science Learning Hub. A full-blown stand of micro clover will require at least two pounds of seed per 1000 square feet. If having micro clover as part of your lawn helps achieve this objective, then its worth considering for many environmentally conscious homeowners. Once we grow clover, does that mean we should only use fertilizer (i.e, no weed or crabgrass killer)? We are restoring a terraced (vegetable bed) area to its natural grade that slopes down to a creek and watershed (due to medical conditions).