Increasing nectar sources for pollinating insects like bees will improve our ecosystem at large. It has tiny leaves and fewer white flowers. This health benefit is one of the main reasons people are adding micro clover to their lawns. Removing your existing lawn would be the first step if you want a full-coverage micro clover lawn. Prevent anyone from walking on the seeds for at least four weeks after sowing so that the plants have a chance of establishing themselves. Some customers have reported their Microclover reverting back to regular size after a few seasons. Sowing the same size areawith a premium grass seed will cost about $100 or less, depending on the brand and the store. Because clover is considered a living mulch, it provides nutrients to the soil and helps it resist compaction. In general, it is considered a perennial crop, although some of its longevity may be attributed to its own reseeding capability. You dont have to tear up your grass lawn in order to grow a clover lawn. Bred for low height and small leaves, it can be used as a standalone ground cover or as 2% - 5% of a lawn mix. In many cases, these bacteria are already present in the soil and coated seed isnt necessary, but if your soil is sterile, has never grown nitrogen-fixing plants before, or you just want to give your clover a jumpstart, consider using seed coated with the bacteria known as Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar. Commercial seed companies, including Pennington and Scotts, now offer clover lawn seed mixes. Theres been a lot of talk lately in the gardening world about clover. Nitrogen from rainwater and granular fertilizer penetrates the soil and feeds your grass. Produces 90% fewer flowers, so it attracts fewer bees. White cloveror Dutch white clover(Trifolium repens)is a perennial plant, native to Europe, which often shows up in lawns by way of seed dispersal. Helps out-compete weeds, and keeps grass green all season long. I am afraid it would be crowded out on its own. Rake to ensure a fine, even surface, then seed using a seed spreader, reserving some seed to fill in any gaps that develop after germination. Micro clovers are very soft and lush and when blooming, you will have a pleasant smell! 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. Its familiar round, white, and fragrant flowers dot the landscape of a clover lawn. A clover lawn may be the right choice for your region. Special thanks to Max Floyd of Earth, Water & Wood for sharing information about micro clover lawns in the home landscape. Please check your inbox to download your FREE eBook. . Because of this, right after your aerate is a great time to add clover seeds to your lawn. Wait one week after sowing before adding organic chicken manure pellets as a fertilizer. Unfortunately, they don't eat blackberry or Tansy, only my flowers, shrubs, and vegetables! Those are a lot of great questions! Being smaller, micro clover grows lower to the ground and does not have the clumping tendency of its larger relative. In fact, most herbicides kill clover, so they should be avoided. All the benefits of traditional white clover packed into very tiny leaves. Americas biodiverse meadows of days gone were slowly converted to French- and English-style monoculture lawns featuring mostly turf grass. Naturally-produced nitrogen from clover and other legumes in your yard limits the need to apply fertilizer. I feel that laying down a good organic fertilizer with un-coated seed is the best approach, but if youd like to buy pelletized or coated seed, try this one from West Coast Seeds. Ready to take the next step toward improving your lawn? They both produce small white flowers, have three leaves (unless youre lucky enough to find one with four), and can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and share it with the plants around them. Should I plant a ground cover such as Creeping thyme or Snow in summer? University of Maryland Turfgrass Technical Update, TT121, July 2015. https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/non_HGIC_FS/TT121%20Tall%20fescue%20microclover%20lawns.pdf, Implementing Best Management Practices to Reduce Runoff and Lawn Fertilizer Use. If I missed anything or have created other questions, please feel free to holler! Hi Sarah, Micro clover is a tough plant that can handle foot traffic, but it still needs those couple of weeks to establish. All clover is considered a legume capable of turning atmospheric nitrogen gas into an organic form of nitrogen. It doesn't flower nearly as much as traditional White Clover, but it does flower some, mostly in its second season. Generally, this was white clover (Trifolium repens). Mixes well with turf-type tall fescue (and Kentucky bluegrass) and provides a uniform appearance; Provides an organic source of nitrogen (in grass clippings and as it decays) to support turfgrass growth; may reduce one nitrogen application per year; Does not tolerate high heat and drought; starts to die when cool-season turfgrass enters dormancy in the summer; requires reseeding for persistence; Top growth dies back in the winter which can leave bare spots and lead to erosion; Seeds are expensive and not readily available in retail stores; Most broadleaf herbicides labeled for use on tall-fescue will kill microclover; Bees attracted to the flowers may be undesirable for people with bee sting allergies; Southern blight disease can be a problem occasionally in prolonged periods of high humidity and high nighttime temperatures. Im in New England as well and have predominantly BBU for my lawn in sandy soil. Your email address will not be published. The soil is hard packed clay, acidic, modified (poorly) with compost and top soil mix. Its a little pricey, but a very high quality micro-clover that you can expect to stay true when it self-seeds. Sow seed at the recommended rate and water well to establish quickly. This will introduce air, water, and nutrients into the soil and give your seed a better chance of taking hold. This will cut down on your annual lawn maintenance costs, but there are other benefits to clover as well. White clover mixes well with fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. Tolerates closer mowing than standard white clover. All content copyright document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. It improves forage quality above a pure grass stand and supplies nitrogen for grass growth. One concern I would have is already addressed later in your questions. Decomposing clover roots leave macropores in the soil. by Dr. Don Ball, Extension Agronomist/Alumni Professor (Auburn University) and Dr.Garry Lacefield, Extension Agronomist/Professor (University of Kentucky) on behalf of the Oregon Clover Commission, Salem, OR. Though widely adapted, it is best suited to soils which have good moisture-holding ability. If you decide to add some micro clover to your lawn, here are a few tips to ensure success: Ready to overseed your lawn with clover? While micro clover was designed for mixed grass/clover purposes, that doesnt mean you cant sow a pure micro clover lawn. In terms of genetic engineering, I am unaware of any commercially available clover varieties. Many landscapers and gardeners suggest converting to a clover lawn gradually rather than digging up your lawn and making it happen all at once. pipolina or pirouette) is a miniature version of the Dutch white clover once common in household lawns before pesticides targeted broadleaf plants. It makes most of its growth in mid-spring. Years ago, it was a desirable part of lawns. This is especially true with warm season grasses being grown on droughty soils. Redclover can be more of a tender plant compared to other clovers. Start in early spring (mid-March to mid-April) to allow clover seed time to get established before cold weather arrives. Most clover varieties grow to a height of 2-8 inches. Clover doesnt require any additional fertilizer either! While dog urine can discolor most grasses, clover isnt affected by it and will remain green and attractive. Once we grow clover, does that mean we should only use fertilizer (i.e, no weed or crabgrass killer)? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The seed can germinate at lower temperatures than most annuals. By the late 1800s, the neatly trimmed, aesthetically pleasing grass lawn became a symbol of wealth. Red clover requires good soil moisture, but is not as tolerant of wet conditions as white clover. If planted in autumn, most growth occurs in mid-spring. I reside in NJ down the shore about 2 blocks from the beach and we had a major drought this past summer, so my lawn along with most other lawns in the area turned to straw. Thats why Ive curated my research to provide you with micro clover lawn pros and cons (so you dont have to). Dutch white clover is the most common variety, providing lawns with that class clover look. Besides wasting a precious natural resourcewaterregular and heavy watering can result in runoff of pesticides and other chemicals, which pollute our waterways and poison wildlife. Not to mention, some people also take the toxic route of spraying their lawns with herbicides to get rid of dandelions. In this approach, youre treating it like a ground cover, which adds an element of diversity to the space. Benefits of Having Microclover It was first developed in Denmark and Netherland to use on the golf course. This clover should be planted on well-drained soils. Some of the delicate seeds will get caught in the grass blades and never make it to the ground. Are micro clover lawns better than grass? The protein concentration of white clover will exceed 15% and the digestibility 70%. Arrowleaf/grass mixtures should be grazed enough to prevent the clover seedlings from being shaded by the grass. Lawn trials show that mixes of 5 to 10% microclover will maintain the benefits of a clover lawn and keep weeds at bay. Its a contentious debate. That was fascinating to me! Annual clovers reproduce only from seed and not by vegetative propagation from roots or other plant structures. Clover will also remain green during the hottest months of the year when the rest of your lawn may be turning brown. "Trifolium repens." White clover seed for lawns costs an average of about $4 per pound. Free shipping on orders of $75.00 or more. This one has smaller leaves and far fewer blooms, but it is a lot more tolerant to foot traffic and mowing. 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. Using alternatives in your lawn can help address some of the issues that come with conventional turf, namely the use of herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, and huge amounts of water. 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. Thus, once a decision has been made as to which clover species to plant, selection of the most suitable variety can mean the difference between good and poor results, University variety trial reports are the best sources of unbiased variety information. ( It will not be turned under as a cover crop.) In these areas, most prepared-seed bed plantings are made in autumn 4 to 6 weeks before the date of the first killing frost. Micro clover plants also don't clump up as much as traditional white clover, making it more desirable for turfs. Pirouette) is a selection from white clover that has smaller leaves and a lower growth habit. Clover lawns are visually stunning, give nutrients back to the soil, and are a nectar source for bees. I will try to chew through them one-by-one. 3) Clover is not durable enough for high-traffic areas. A good plan would be to contact your local extension office to see if micro clover is right for your area. 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. Keep the soil moist until germination. Microclover is a newly developed cultivar of white clover that is gaining popularity in clover lawns because of its improved traits. University of Maryland Extension on Facebook, University of Maryland Extension on Instagram, University of Maryland Extension on Twitter, University of Maryland Extension on Youtube, 2018-2023 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect, instructions for how to enable JavaScript in your web browser, (PDF) Microclover - Tall Fescue Lawns in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Microclover doesnt grow well in shade, so it is only suitable for areas receiving direct sunlight. My lawn had alot of naturally growing Dutch clover the past few years but that too dried up and died. Depending on the region, clover is semi-evergreen or evergreen and tends to thrive in full sun to partial shade. This kind of grass is perfect for including micro clover. Stacy Tornio has authored more than 15 books about animals, nature, and gardening. 11. It also doesnt bloom as much or as often as standard white clover, and if mowed every now and then, it will not bloom at all. It also doesn't clump as easily as white clover, so it blends well with other grasses. Berseem Clover Berseem clover is an annual which bears a superficial resemblance to alfalfa. Check the amount of sunlight your area receives before planting using a sunlight calculator. Micro clover (trifolium repens var. 7. 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. Contact us at Ask Extension. Some are more tolerant of certain climatic conditions, soil conditions, and/or management regimes than others. When you opt-in you will also receive a weekly email update. Clover will begin to grow in 5-7 days. As the seedlings sprout and grow, the clover will expand further and further into the grass. Where regular clover leaves can be as big as an adult fingernail or larger, Microclover leaves could be compared to the fingernails of a newborn. The Ultimate Guide to Fight Inflammation and Restore Your Health! Do you know what is causing that? 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 also requires little to no fertilization and is completely drought resistant. Apr 23, 2019 Carly Fraser Post contains aAffiliate links Save For Later Print. I'm looking into overseeding my current lawn with clover for the multiple benefits that clover offers. 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. 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. Benefits clovers can provide include improved forage quality, increased forage yield, biological nitrogen fixation, extension of the growing season, soil improvement, and land beautification. The second summer the clover has shot up over 6 8 inches in some parts with leaves 3 x regular clover. Not only is it easy to grow and guaranteed to green up your space; it also has a fun texture much different than grass. 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). According to West Coast Seeds, sow micro clover seeds densely at 50g of seed per 100 square feet. That would also leave me hesitantabout its staying power as the primary stabilization tool without some grasses to help round things out. 2) Clover might have to be reseeded every 2-3 years to maintain even stand in pure clover lawns (hence why some people might prefer mixed grass-clover lawns as this way, clover will reseed itself enough to maintain a consistent presence). Sunday makes it easy to transform your lawn. A full-blown stand of micro clover will require at least two pounds of seed per 1000 square feet. Micro clover seeds are extra fine in texture. It has tiny leaves and fewer white flowers. No Mowing: as mentioned above, micro clover doesnt require mowing, and if you do choose to mow, it doesnt have to be as often as a grass lawn. Although it can be quite productive, ball clover has a shorter growing season and often yields less than other commonly grown annual clovers.It is a prolific seed producer even under high stocking rates, and a high percentage of the seed are hard seed. That means less chemical toxicity around your home, and better health for the planet. Ideally not your own address for your privacy.. Having some trouble talking my wife into taking this approach. Adding microclover to lawns helps control weeds because it helps fill in gaps that often exist in conventional lawn blends. Will clover take over grass? One area with a poor track record for growing micro clover is the extreme Southern United States. Micro Clover. Spread the seeds evenly by seeding north-south/north-south, and then once more east-west/east-west. Its the most popular clover seed for lawns, but it can also be planted as a perennial cover crop, ground cover, or for erosion control. As we become more conscious of the harmful effects of using pesticides on lawns, we are naturally going to see plants like clover popping up and sticking around. Red Clover wherever grown attracts beneficial creatures, especially bees, whilst at the same time adding nutrients to the soil via its roots. You can easily decide that for yourself once you read over this giant list of pros (compared to the tiny list of cons). How is Microclover Different from Common White Clover? It doesn't seem to make any claims about "performing" better than dutch clover in terms of nitrogen fixation, wear hardiness, etc. Might be many opportunities for great photos! However, as they were picking along, I watched a few of them feeding on red clover leaves. They also have a less aggressive clump-forming habit. The benefits of growing a micro clover lawn far outweigh the negatives. 4. Turfgrass, meanwhile, needs an inch or more of water per week. Adding seeds a little bit at a time is a convenient way to get your clover lawn started. Ten-pound bags that will cover 5,000 square feet are close to $300. These clovers can be grown throughout much of the nation (especially in the Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest) in areas in which there is a suitable soil pH, adequate fertility, and good soil moisture during most of the year. One of the easier options for getting started is to add seeds to your existing space a little at a time. 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. Coated seeds are more expensive, but they are easier to apply and see in your lawn to understand the coverage youre getting when spreading your seed. However, this is more so for regular white clover than micro clover. In that setting, it is only utilized for 2 crop years before removal. Prior to the introduction of broadleaf herbicides in the 1950s, clover was a valued component of lawn seed mixtures for its ability to fix nitrogen, enrich the soil, and improve turfgrass growth. Getting rid of your current lawn to plant clover instead isnt a process that happens over night. Pirouette), a cultivar of white clover with smaller leaves and a lower growth habit.. These are all perennial clovers, as opposed to annual clover types that complete their life cycles in a single year. You won't have to mow a lot due to the clover growth. The sowing rate for an existing lawn is 1.5 pounds for 10,000 square feet. Further, the traditional white clover plant that appeared in lawns tends to form big clumps that suppress desirable grasses. Theyre both Trifolium repens and have the same functioning parts. Regular white Dutch clover and Microclover are essentially the same plant. White clover and red clover are most commonly grown in combination with cool season perennial grasses such as tall fescue, orchardgrass, timothy, or smooth bromegrass. Think of it like buying a dog from a shelter versus buying a designer toy dog from a breeder. However, because clover adds nitrogen to the soil, its more likely that it will help your grass stay healthy instead of competing with the rest of your lawn. First, Microclover seed is expensive. Sarahs blog, Lawn Chick, is read by over 2 million homeowners each year and she is regularly cited as an expert source of lawn care knowledge by major publications. But, it can really help create a beautiful looking lawn, as long as you don't mind some Clover. But there are also a lot of reasons to grow a clover lawn. Diseases are rare with microclover, though soggy, brown patches may indicate Southern blight, a disease occurring in hot, moist climates. Using pruning shears or scissors, cut the offshoot to separate it from the mother plant. It can feel overwhelming to do this all at once, so take it in sections. These attract earthworms, which help keep the soil loose (and, therefore, in need of no aeration) and reduce thatch buildup. Micro clover is a smaller variety of White Clover. 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. 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. White clover is tolerant of close grazing, which makes it a good choice for many pastures, but it is not well-suited for hay situations. Plus, who doesnt want the opportunity to look for a four-leaf clover? Originally produced in the Netherlands and Denmark for use in golf courses, micro clover offers homeowners a lush option in low maintenance landscaping. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Beneficial for Pollinators and Wildlife: the flowers of clover are an important nectar source for pollinating insects like bees. (Perform a soil test before planting.) It is a great quality micro clover seed mixed with fescue that blends seamlessly with most lawns. Should I rip up the lawn next year and start over with a blend of grass seed and microclover? Remember what you planted and where, so when you have success, youll know which variety to spread further. 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. Micro clover (sometimes spelled as microclover) is a small variety of white clover well worth consideration for spring lawn renovation. Even more alluring is the sweet smell that emanates from the flowers. Pirouette the same as micro clover? For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 6. She has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals to re-connect with their bodies and learn self-love through proper eating habits and natural living. 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.