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Clover is a popular alternative to grass for front and backyard lawns, mostly because clover is affordable, easy to grow, simple to maintain, and drought-resistant. Moreover, clover also attracts pollinating insects like bees, attracts deer, requires no fertilization, grows in poor soil, and requires very little attention and no mowing. Clover can also be seeded over an existing lawn and grows well with grasses, and can be used for a dog run or designated area for pets. [1]
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Expert Source
Benjamin Hansen
Licensed Landscape Contractor
Expert Interview. 6 October 2020.
Steps
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Test your soil pH. Start by determining whether you have the right kind of soil to allow clover to thrive. Most varieties of clover do best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, although some do well in soil with a pH as high as 8.5. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education Go to source Purchase a soil testing kit from your local nursery or garden center. A soil testing kit can also tell you if your soil has any nutrient or mineral deficiencies.- If your soil pH is too low, you can adjust it by adding lime to the soil.
- Correct a soil pH that is too high by mixing in peat moss or sawdust.
- You may need to allow up to 6 months for any adjustment to take full effect, so do your testing well in advance of when you want to plant.
- Get a type of clover that works best with your soil pH. Research clover varieties online, or check with your plant nursery or garden center.
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Till the soil a month before planting. Clover seeds will do best if they don't have to compete with weeds while they're getting established. To remove all vegetation, rocks, and debris from the area, till or rake the soil to a depth of about eight inches (20 cm). [3] X Research source- Tilling a month in advance will give any weeds time to regrow so you can remove them before planting.
- Tilling now will also make it easier to change the soil if the pH needs to be adjusted.
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Water the area daily. To encourage latent weeds and vegetation to grow, provide the tilled area with a light misting of water every day. This process will help you eliminate weeds in a couple weeks, right before planting the clover seeds. [4] X Research source- You don't have to worry about watering if you're getting sufficient rain during this time.
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Remove weeds. A couple days before planting, use a spade or small shovel to dig up any weeds that have sprouted up since you tilled the land. This will kill competition and give the clover the best possible chance of thriving.- You can also use a scythe to cut them out.
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Mix the seed with sand. Clover seeds are very small and lightweight. To ensure they spread evenly, it's best to mix them with another medium that will make them easier to distribute on the ground. You will need about 2 oz. (57 grams) of seed to cover 1000 square feet (93 sq. m.) of lawn. Before planting, mix your seeds with one of the following: [5] X Research source- Soil (preferably unfertilized, to discourage the growth of weeds)
- Sand
- Sawdust
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Spread the seed. Use your hand to spread the seed evenly over the lawn. If you have a large lawn, you can use a broadcast spreader, which you can buy at local garden stores and home improvement stores. You can also spread seed over large areas by smoothing the seed and sand mixture over the ground with a leaf rake turned so that the tines face up. [6] X Research source -
Rake the area. Clover seeds will not grow if they are buried in the ground, but covering them with a thin layer of soil will help to keep them in place and prevent wind or predators from disturbing them. Go over the area you've seeded with a rake that is turned so that the tines face up, and gently mix the seeds into the top layer of soil.- Do not rake more than a quarter-inch (6 mm) deep, otherwise the seeds won't grow.
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Keep the seeds moist until the clover is established. Water the seeds immediately after spreading them. This process will help the seeds stick in the ground and encourage germination. Provide the seeds with a light misting of water every day that it doesn't rain until the seedlings grow leaves. [7] X Research source- During the spring, summer, and warmer fall months, make sure the clover gets about 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) of water per week.
- When planted during the warmer spring or summer months, clover seeds will germinate in one to two weeks.
- Make sure that the seeds do not have a chance to dry out during the day, or the sprouts will not survive.
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Skip the fertilizer. Clover can produce nitrogen all on its own, as long as it forms the proper relationship with the soil (which you encourage by adding a clover inoculant when planting). Adding in fertilizer will usually encourage grasses and weeds to grow instead of the clover. [8] X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural Society Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source- Use a testing kit to check whether your soil is missing any important nutrients before you plant, and adjust accordingly.
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Test your soil occasionally after your lawn is planted. Once your clover lawn is established, take soil samples at least every 2-3 years. Check your soil nutrient and mineral levels, and make adjustments as needed. [9] X Trustworthy Source University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education Go to source- Try taking samples in spring one year, and in fall the next year. This will help give you an idea of which nutrients are most needed during different parts of the growing cycle.
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Buy clover seed. You can purchase clover seeds at garden stores, at most home and hardware stores, and online. You'll need roughly 2 ounces (57 g) of clover seeds per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) of lawn.- The most popular types of clovers for lawns are Dutch White (a perennial that grows to 8 inches, or 20 centimeters) and Microclover (a durable clover that has small leaves and short stems).
- Inoculated clover seeds of any variety are also popular, because it means you don't have to inoculate them yourself. Inoculation is the process of coating the seeds with a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that allows the clover to produce its own nitrogen. Be sure to store these seeds in a cool, dark place.
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Plant according to the season and weather. The best time to plant clover is in spring or summer. To plant in spring, make sure the last frost has occurred, and that nighttime temperatures are staying above 40° F (4° C). The best time to seed clover is between mid-March and mid-August. [10] X Research source- In warmer areas, you can plant clover in September and October, but plant it at least six weeks before the first frost.
- In the warmest areas where winters are mild and there's rarely snow or freezing temperatures in winter, you can plant clover all year round.
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Choose a sunny location. Depending on the size of your lawn, you may have conditions that vary greatly from one area to another, so some areas may not be ideal for clover. Clover is very hardy and will even grow in partial shade, but it will do best when it gets between four and six hours of sunlight per day. [11] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source- Where possible, prune and trim trees, hedges, and brush to ensure the clover gets enough light.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionI live in a city, but in a rural part of it. Can I let the clover stay wild without having a garden that looks unsightly for my neighbors?Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.It only grows 4 to about 8 inches high at most so it will look like a natural groundcover if left natural looking.
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QuestionHow do I get rid of a clover lawn?Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.You can attempt natural killing of it by covering with black plastic, cardboard etc. to block sun light, use a chemical vegetation killer and then by either method till up the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches, rake out and remove debris and re-plant.
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QuestionCan I mow a clover lawn?Community AnswerYes, you can mow it just like a regular lawn. If you mow it too early, however, you may not see the flowers.
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Tips
- To encourage a patch of clover already growing in your yard, mow your lawn to 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8-5 cm). This height is more favorable to clover than to grasses.Thanks
- Aerating occasionally in early spring can be very beneficial to a clover lawn.Thanks
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References
- ↑ Benjamin Hansen. Licensed Landscape Contractor. Expert Interview. 6 October 2020.
- ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1251&title=white-clover-establishment-and-management-guide
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/clover-lawn/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/clover-lawn/
- ↑ https://dengarden.com/gardening/Clover-Lawns
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/lawn-establishment
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/lawn-establishment
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/weeds/clover-in-lawns
- ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1251&title=white-clover-establishment-and-management-guide
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to grow a clover lawn, prepare the soil by ensuring the pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. If the pH is too high, add peat moss or sawdust to your soil, and if it is too low, add some lime. Clovers also thrive in sand, so mix in some sand or sawdust with your soil. Plan on planting your clover seeds in the spring or summer when nighttime temperatures are above 40° F. When it is time, spread the seeds with a rake and water daily until they become established. After that, give them 1.5 to 2 inches of water per week. For tips from our Landscaper reviewer on how to choose a variety of clover seed, keep scrolling.
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- "This article told me everything I need to know about creating a clover lawn. And it answered questions and told me everything on how to integrate clover into an established lawn. I am confident now, even if a bit intimidated by all the work." ..." more
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"This article told me everything I need to know about creating a clover lawn. And it answered questions and told me everything on how to integrate clover into an established lawn. I am confident now, even if a bit intimidated by all the work."
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"Great ideas on fostering a clover lawn. Interesting technique to mix the seed with soil before sowing to produce a more uniform distribution of seed. Enlightening to learn to allow the lawn to seed itself or manually intervene and reseed."
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"Thank you for this helpful article. We just bought a small bag and it doesn't have any instructions. I'm looking forward to trying it out! We love natural grasses and never use any pesticides. I'm thrilled to know it will attract bees. :)"
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"I am definitely going to plant a clover lawn. The articles I read and the information I received only increased my desire to do so. In addition, I liked the tips about what to do with it and what not to do with it."
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"I had heard of the idea of using clover for ground cover instead of traditional grass seed. I have been looking for something to use instead of wheat or rye seed due to allergies. I think this will help greatly."
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