Required fields are marked *. Unlike most commonly grown annual clovers, berseem clover is quite tolerant of wet soils and also alkaline soils. Planting a broadleaf also removes the opportunity to treat for unwanted broadleaf weeds. Clover and Microclover Lawns - what's the big deal? | OSC Seeds 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. This means that it can cost as little as $1 to seed 1,000 square feet. Gardeners can also benefit from adding clover seed during aeration, the process of loosening up compact soil to help it breathe. What is Microclover and Why is it Good for My Lawn? The Ultimate Guide to Fight Inflammation and Restore Your Health! While micro clover seed might be more expensive than plain grass seed, it also requires less fertilizer and maintenance. Some experts say it grows best in zones without extremely high temperatures and extended periods of drought. Your email address will not be published. Micro clover plants also don't clump up as much as traditional white clover, making it more desirable for turfs. Therefore, you don't need to trim it down too often to maintain a neat lawn. View our Seasonal Sale, with Free Shipping over $99. Mowing the hills is no longer a physical reality, so want the top 20 feet of the hill closest to the house to have vegetation than needs mowing only occasionally. Clover Lawn Pros and Cons: Why Clover is Becoming The Next Best Lawn However, others claim micro clover is more drought tolerant than most grasses due to its root structure. This is particularly true with so many droughts happening nowadays I wouldnt be surprised if everyone switched to micro clover as a result. It is one of the most tolerant clovers to drought and low fertility conditions. I have loamy soil with a neutral pH between 6 and 7. For most people the elevated up-front cost will provide savings in the long run. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The small white flowers are also great for pollinators, should you choose to let them grow. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. A clover-only planting would worry me in regard to its ability to keep the weeds out. I agree it can be tricky to know exactly what youre getting, Sanford. It is usually grown in pastures, but can also be cut for hay (one cutting only). It seems to have a niche but the only standalone plantings I have seen are in clover seed production fields. It doesn't flower nearly as much as traditional White Clover, but it does flower some, mostly in its second season. Creeping Thyme is a beast once established, and will do fine for you if youre patient in the early going. Although it can sometimes reseed itself, its beneficial to know how to plant clover, especially since you might have to replant it every 2 to 3 years. Portland landscaper, Max Floyd of Earth, Water & Wood, recommends mixing micro clover with dwarf fescues for an easy care option. Redclover can be more of a tender plant compared to other clovers. Whether youre overseeding an existing lawn, thinking about establishing a new lawn or reseeding bare or thinning spots, its important to know what kind Weve probably all seen it, and some of us might even be guilty of it from time to time. Crimson clover makes more growth during cool weather than most clovers and is the earliest-maturing commonly grown clover species. Is the presence of micro clover in your lawn a gardening delight or a gardening fail? It is also resistant to lawn weeds (like dandelion even though dandelion is a very beneficial medicine), and can even smother them to death. In some zones, the lush green foliage goes dormant and turns brown in the winter. Benefits of Having Microclover It was first developed in Denmark and Netherland to use on the golf course. If youre unsure how much water to use, test your soil using a moisture meter and adjust accordingly. To add clover to an existing lawn, first mow the lawn closely and remove thatch, which will help the seed reach the soil surface, recommends the Farmers Almanac. Not only will your lawn be healthy from naturally-produced nitrogen, but a beautiful yard of grass and micro clover will also work in harmony to crowd out pesky weeds and keep your yard looking beautiful for years to come. 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. Not only is it easy to grow and guaranteed to green up your space; it also has a fun texture much different than grass. Gently rake in the seed for an even distribution and good soil contact. Tyler, https://plantscience.psu.edu/reduce-runoff/questions-about-microclover. Last year it was one of the most popular products at Natures Seed which, unfortunately, led to us selling out of this product early. If you plant too late in the fall, it might not germinate till next spring. Thanks for the time, What impact might these diseases potentially have on clover? In that setting, it is only utilized for 2 crop years before removal. In this area, Southern blight disease caused by prolonged periods of high heat and humidity is deadly to micro clover. Theyre both Trifolium repens and have the same functioning parts. Thanks in advance.. Craig. Clover Lawn Pros and Cons: Why Clover is Becoming The Next Best Lawn Alternative - Live Love Fruit FREE EBOOK Reduce Chronic Inflammation Naturally!