But another great reason to seed micro clover into your grass is to make your existing lawn healthier. You can either sprinkle the seeds by hand, or by spreading with a lawn seeding machine. Micro clover is fairly drought tolerant, requiring about 25% less water than conventional lawns to stay green. It is best adapted to medium and heavy textured soils with good moisture-holding capacity. This summer was unusually tough in terms of how dry it was. That was fascinating to me! I'm looking into overseeding my current lawn with clover for the multiple benefits that clover offers. Purchase a pre-mixed microclover lawn blend. Would that have been enough for micro-clover in my sunny spots? 6. Second, Microclover might not stay micro forever. 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. Microclover is not a miracle plant and it is not as "micro" as the name might suggest. However, success in obtaining reseeded stands varies depending on environmental conditions at seed maturation. 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. 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. Theyre both Trifolium repens and have the same functioning parts. It is one of the most tolerant clovers to drought and low fertility conditions. It also requires little to no fertilization and is completely drought resistant. Then, sow at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1000 square feet. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Those are a lot of great questions! - Ask Extension. I agree it can be tricky to know exactly what youre getting, Sanford. We are restoring a terraced (vegetable bed) area to its natural grade that slopes down to a creek and watershed (due to medical conditions). Both of us use Black Beauty Ultra and Ive been overseeding every other year. Micro clover plants also don't clump up as much as traditional white clover, making it more desirable for turfs. This is because a white clover lawn grows only 2 to 8 inches tall. 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. Decomposing clover roots leave macropores in the soil. If you live in an appropriate climate region, you might consider adding micro clover to your existing grass for a lush and healthy lawn all season. The main difference is the leaf size. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Clover will also remain green during the hottest months of the year when the rest of your lawn may be turning brown. After a decade gracing European lawns, micro clover has arrived in North America as the next big thing in lawn alternatives. Thanks in advance.. Craig. Originally produced in the Netherlands and Denmark for use in golf courses, micro clover offers homeowners a lush option in low maintenance landscaping. Gently rake in the seed for an even distribution and good soil contact. (PDF) Microclover - Tall Fescue Lawns in the Mid-Atlantic Region, University of Maryland Turfgrass Technical Update, 2015. 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. Naturally-produced nitrogen from clover and other legumes in your yard limits the need to apply fertilizer. It seems to have a niche but the only standalone plantings I have seen are in clover seed production fields. Additionally, when a dogs got to go, a dogs got to go. Microclover also flowers less than white clover, reducing the chances that children (and adults) will suffer bee stings when playing outside. 7. When you opt-in you will also receive a weekly email update. In that setting, it is only utilized for 2 crop years before removal. Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. People concerned about fertilizer run-off into water sources will be particularly interested in the ecological advantages a micro clover lawn can provide. Microclover ( Trifolium repens L. var. This will introduce air, water, and nutrients into the soil and give your seed a better chance of taking hold. This publication provides general information regarding a number of points that should be considered when deciding which clovers to plant. 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. They grow very close to the ground. This type of clover is considered aggressive and invasive in some areas, which is important to keep in mind when monitoring its growth. Shannon Cowan Small areas can be treated by covering the soil with a plastic sheet before planting and solarizing to kill the disease. Try it out with Sundays help. Contact us at Ask Extension. (Clover will naturally spread over time, so you may not need to try too hard to get more of it.). Here are two of the top low-maintenance clover varieties for lawns. Having a micro clover lawn (whether purely micro clover or through incorporating micro clover in an existing lawn) is a matter of preference. However, climatic, management, or other factors may result in exceptions. White clover is a low-growing forage legume used predominantly in pasture mixtures with grasses. We want to put in a low maintenance "fire break" between the house and the rest of the hill that is covered with plants and grasses that grow up to 4 feet tall, (including fighting to mow and de-seed Blackberry, Tansy Ragwort, and Mammoth Red Clover). That means less chemical toxicity around your home, and better health for the planet. Shelley has been writing and editing garden stories for 10 years, and has a Master Gardeners certificate in Oregon. Micro clover lawn pros and cons. I recommend Sundays Lucky Lawn clover and grass seed blend. This clover does not reseed well due to a low level of hard seed production. According to West Coast Seeds, the plants respond to mowing by hugging the ground more, with smaller leaves and shorter flower stems. Over time, they take on a compact, snug appearance. 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. It spreads out to fill holes in your turfgrass and creates a dense canopy which prevents weeds from germinating. Hello,I've recent read about mini or micro clover, but still have questions about pros and cons of growing it. 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. Im in New England as well and have predominantly BBU for my lawn in sandy soil. Keeping dangerous chemicals out of our fresh water streams and lakes is an important task. Sowing the same size areawith a premium grass seed will cost about $100 or less, depending on the brand and the store. Grass that is intermixed with clover will be healthier and greener, because of this nitrogen-fixing aspect. The primary clovers used in lawns are strawberry, white and red, most of which grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10. In this approach, youre treating it like a ground cover, which adds an element of diversity to the space. To learn more visit the following pages:Advertising Policy |Privacy Policy, Get My FREE Cheat-Sheet and Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Care. 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. 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. In the strictest sense, all of our cultivated crops are genetically modified through selective breeding practices. The first step to forgiving yourself for having clover in your yard is understanding why it is there and then deciding if its benefits outweigh your pride. This clover features florets that, when ripe, take on a pinkish hue and resemble (you guessed it) strawberries. Any special needs? Ball Clover This winter annual is sometimes mistaken for white clover, but the blooms are smaller and more rounded. Are you ready to take the leap into microclover? If good bacteria are present in the soil, then there is sufficient nitrogen to give your grass and clover a good start. This will give your seeds a chance to germinate and avoid giving the weeds a head start. You won't have to mow a lot due to the clover growth. Sow seed at the recommended rate and water well to establish quickly. Micro clover (sometimes spelled as microclover) is a small variety of white clover well worth consideration for spring lawn renovation. One 2 lb. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. When micro clover first grows, the leaves will be much larger. This means it keeps your lawn looking greener and lusher throughout the spring and summer. 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. The white microclover lawn is very dense, very lush, and very beautiful. Annuals reproduce only from seed, while perennials propagate through both seed and spreading roots. Through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium soil bacteria, legumes are able to transform atmospheric nitrogen gas into an organic form of nitrogen that can be used by plants. Microclover also flowers less than white clover, reducing the chances that children (and adults) will suffer bee stings when playing outside. Your email address will not be published. It acts as its own natural fertilizer! 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. This will cut down on your annual lawn maintenance costs, but there are other benefits to clover as well. Mini Clover or microclover - Ask Extension. To sow a clover-only lawn, utilize these steps below (3): While over-seeding an already existing lawn is possible, it isnt as effective as removing the lawn first. Some experts say it grows best in zones without extremely high temperatures and extended periods of drought. However, I live 20 minutes North of Boston and this year my BBU grass was turned into straw. If undesirable weeds appear, its important not to treat with any broadleaf herbicides, Success! Plant the offshoot slightly below the soil in the desired location and secure the plant by pushing the soil down around it. As the roots grow along the surface, new clover plants will fill in any blank spots. While the supply still hasnt caught up to the demand, we were able to source a limited supply for the 2020 growing season and are happy to say its back in stock. Limiting nitrogen runoff is a goal of theMaryland Lawn Fertilizer Lawas part of broader efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay. It is usually grown in pastures, but can also be cut for hay (one cutting only). Sowing a micro clover lawn blend helps control weeds and reduce fertilizing. It improves forage quality above a pure grass stand and supplies nitrogen for grass growth. In seeding micro clover in semi mature lawns, what is the norm for mowing? Some homeowners like to mow their lawns midseason to tidy it up and deadhead flowers. Additionally, moles have an extensive tunnel network, despite repeated trappings. In terms of genetic engineering, I am unaware of any commercially available clover varieties. Once established, water deeply as necessary to keep your lawn looking green. In this case, you would not need to buy seeds coated with nitrogen. In fact, a micro clover-only lawn has been tried and tested by many individuals with much success. Copyright 2023. Regions with less humidity and fewer periods of excessive heat, Areas with adequate rainfall, not prone to drought. White clover mixes well with fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. In fact, there are plenty of pesticides and products on the market that will tell you how to get rid of clover. Start in early spring (mid-March to mid-April) to allow clover seed time to get established before cold weather arrives. If it is mowed occasionally, it will reach about 4 inches high. Bred for low height and small leaves, it can be used as a standalone ground cover or as 2% - 5% of a lawn mix. To prevent that, plant microclover, which produces fewer flowers than Dutch white clover, or mow before the flowers bloom. It is also perfect for being planted between paving stones, and looks great, too. Required fields are marked *. Clover will begin to grow in 5-7 days. Because clover is considered a living mulch, it provides nutrients to the soil and helps it resist compaction. It put the other grasses I was trialing to shame. In general, it is considered a perennial crop, although some of its longevity may be attributed to its own reseeding capability. Ideally not your own address for your privacy.. Having some trouble talking my wife into taking this approach. The leaves of micro clover are twice as small as those of white clover, and if you mow the lawn, the leaves regrow even smaller! Although these herbicides were targeting broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, broadleaf plantain and buckhorn plantain, they killed off the clover as well. Microclover is a newly developed cultivar of white clover that is gaining popularity in clover lawns because of its improved traits. Using pruning shears or scissors, cut the offshoot to separate it from the mother plant. They can grow as high as 6 inches only! Grass lawns not only require regular cutting, but if you want them to look bright green year-round, youll likely have to feed, aerate, de-thatch and water your lawn. White Clover White clover, a true perennial, is the most widely-grown clover in the United States.Where adapted, individual plants often live for several years. Being smaller, micro clover grows lower to the ground and does not have the clumping tendency of its larger relative. 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).
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