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. The showy crimson-colored blooms can provide a spectacular show in early to mid-spring. If a stand of an annual clover is present in an area for more than one year without being replanted, it is due either to reseeding or delayed germination of previously planted seed. Mowing it any lower will stress the plant. If your lawn abuts neighbors, make sure they want it too, because it will spread like crazy. I don't think it could be considered "GMO." Strawberry clover isnt as well known as white clover. Science Learning Hub. Among the benefits of having and maintaining a clover lawn, clover is visually interesting. Being smaller, micro clover grows lower to the ground and does not have the clumping tendency of its larger relative. Microclover: This dwarf variety of Dutch white clover is lower-growing with smaller leaves and fewer flowers than its relative. I will try to chew through them one-by-one. Some of the delicate seeds will get caught in the grass blades and never make it to the ground. Thus, a stand of a perennial clover may contain recently established plants that are less than a year old as well as plants that are more than a year old. Nitrogen Fixer: clovers are actually legumes, which improve the fertility and health fo the soil. Your email address will not be published. But, it can really help create a beautiful looking lawn, as long as you don't mind some Clover. However, I live 20 minutes North of Boston and this year my BBU grass was turned into straw. Its contribution to the total forage yield in a mixed stand is . I would suggest this one from West Coast Seeds. Difference #1: When regularly mown, Microclover is smaller, shorter, and more compact than Common White Clover. In most situations in which clover is to be grown with a perennial grass, it is preferable to use a perennial clover (if adapted) rather than an annual clover. Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your clover lawn exactly what it needs to thrive. Hi Jay I dont know of any personally, but I can assure you that clover is a much better option than grass. Purchase a pre-mixed microclover lawn blend. What is Micro Clover? Depending on the region, clover is semi-evergreen or evergreen and tends to thrive in full sun to partial shade. Might be many opportunities for great photos! Your email address will not be published. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The authors gratefully acknowledge reviews of this publication provided by: Dr.Gerald Evers and Dr. Ray Smith (Texas A & M University), Dr. Jimmy Henning (University of Kentucky), and Dr. Carl Hoveland (University of Georgia). These attract earthworms, which help keep the soil loose (and, therefore, in need of no aeration) and reduce thatch buildup. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Im in New England with very sandy soil on my lot, so periods of drought can be tough on my yard too. Bred for low height and small leaves, it can be used as a standalone ground cover or as 2% - 5% of a lawn mix. (PDF) Microclover - Tall Fescue Lawns in the Mid-Atlantic Region, University of Maryland Turfgrass Technical Update, 2015. Dutch white clover is the most common variety, providing lawns with that class clover look. - Ask Extension. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Although these herbicides were targeting broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, broadleaf plantain and buckhorn plantain, they killed off the clover as well. 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. This plant is also drought-tolerant, easy to grow, and will thrive in both sun and shade. Microclover doesnt grow well in shade, so it is only suitable for areas receiving direct sunlight. Microclover (Trifolium repens var. Pipolina as it should stay 3 tall or shorter. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. While you can find several varieties of clover, there are a few that are best for backyards and lawns. Ten minutes of the sprinkler twice a day is sufficient, but water according to your needs (and your local climate). The primary clovers used in lawns are strawberry, white and red, most of which grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10. You dont have to tear up your grass lawn in order to grow a clover lawn. Additionally, moles have an extensive tunnel network, despite repeated trappings. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Pirouette and Pipolina). I have relied on Jonathan Green products for about a decade now and have strictly adhered to their regimen and one of my neighbors has done the same, but just started their lawn a couple years ago. Annual clovers reproduce only from seed and not by vegetative propagation from roots or other plant structures. Another drawback is that its a short-lived perennial and, as such, may require reseeding every 2 to 3 years. Required fields are marked *. The best temperature for white clover is between 50 degrees and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The nitrogen micro clover produces is a huge benefit for your turf. With Microclover, its possible to overseed a traditional grass lawn with clover without actually noticing the clover. Rose clover produces many hard seeds, and reseeding is often good. "The Role of Clover." 6. There are many types of clover, most of which are similar in appearance. Mowing (especially early on once it reaches its mature height) will actually help thicken up your stand of clover. Microclover is a new cultivar of white clover that is becoming very popular. Being smaller, micro clover grows lower to the ground and does not have the clumping tendency of its larger relative. MicroLawn Grass Seed & Microclover Blend - 5 lbs, Organic Turf Starter Fertilizer 4-6-4 - 30 lbs, Corn Gluten Organic Fertilizer 8-0-0 - 40 lbs, Corn Gluten Granulated Organic Fertilizer 9-0-0 - 30 lbs, 2023 Eartheasy.com - All Rights Reserved, Eartheasy Renews Commitment After Planting 27,000 Trees, Designing a Landscape With Raised Garden Beds, https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/non_HGIC_FS/TT121%20Tall%20fescue%20microclover%20lawns.pdf, https://plantscience.psu.edu/reduce-runoff/questions-about-microclover. A ten-pound bag of micro clover seeds costs, on average, $450. Sunday makes it easy to transform your lawn. According to West Coast Seeds, sow micro clover seeds densely at 50g of seed per 100 square feet. Its familiar round, white, and fragrant flowers dot the landscape of a clover lawn. Years ago, it was a desirable part of lawns. The biggest advantage to this small-leaved version is how it blends with a grass lawn. Getting rid of your current lawn to plant clover instead isnt a process that happens over night. Clover tolerates compacted soil better than grasses do, and even tends to reduce compaction (therefore, aerating is kind of pointless). Other options include adding clover seed during the core aeration process or digging up parts of your grass lawn. Note: The recommended mowing height for micro clover is 3"-3.5". Microclover ( Trifolium repens L. var. with a white V or crescent. By itself, clover doesnt hold up well to repeated heavy foot traffic or playing fields, However, when blended with turfgrass, it can make a strong lawn and take occasional heavy traffic. Pennsylvania State Universitys Department of Plant Science: Questions about Microclover, The Old Farmers Almanac: Clover Comeback, Scotts: Benefits of Planting a Clover Lawn, University of California: Clover Management Guidelines, McKay Grass Seeds: A Quick Guide to Strawberry Clover, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. Plant the offshoot slightly below the soil in the desired location and secure the plant by pushing the soil down around it. Also, the hearty clover keeps other weeds from creeping in. Microcloverrefers to smaller varieties of white clover(Trifolium repensvar. Red Clover wherever grown attracts beneficial creatures, especially bees, whilst at the same time adding nutrients to the soil via its roots. Micro Clover is a dwarf cultivar of white clover characterized by smaller leaflets and fewer blooms. Join Live Love Fruit and we'll show you how! I have loamy soil with a neutral pH between 6 and 7. 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. Pirouette) is a selection from white clover that has smaller leaves and a lower growth habit. 9. Has smaller leaves than dutch white clover. At present, the seed can be somewhat costly for large areas, but homeowners can get around this by blending with grasses and other plants (see below). Displayed ads do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by Live Love Fruit. Turfgrass, meanwhile, needs an inch or more of water per week. This is because a white clover lawn grows only 2 to 8 inches tall. 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. Annuals reproduce only from seed, while perennials propagate through both seed and spreading roots. Your email address will not be published. My question is whether there is Good morning, In fact, a micro clover-only lawn has been tried and tested by many individuals with much success. Delayed germination is due to hard seed which have a seed coat that must be broken down over time to allow water to enter the seed. Ground Cover: clover makes a great filler for spots of the lawn that are dead or just need some filling in. Adding microclover to lawns helps control weeds because it helps fill in gaps that often exist in conventional lawn blends. That makes me wonder if they are the same except the mini clover is trained to stay lower by mowing. Ready to take the next step toward improving your lawn? I am unaware of any clover work being done on campus. By Christa Carignan, Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist, Coordinator, University of Maryland Extension Home & Garden Information Center. If you're feeling bold, try mixing a couple options in your space. 6. Those are a lot of great questions! However, climatic, management, or other factors may result in exceptions. 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. Having a mowed clover lawn in place 4 to 6 weeks before the first frost can help winterize your lawn, but theres no need to spend every weekend mowing as you would with turf. 1. Americas biodiverse meadows of days gone were slowly converted to French- and English-style monoculture lawns featuring mostly turf grass. Visit our product page for more information about microclover blends and natural lawn care. It can feel overwhelming to do this all at once, so take it in sections. Heres my privacy policy. Reviewed by Dr. Mark J. Carroll, Director, Environmental Science & Policy Program, University of Maryland, April 2019. They both produce small white flowers, have three leaves (unless you're lucky enough to find one with four), and can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and share it with the plants around them. Microclover is not a miracle plant and it is not as "micro" as the name might suggest. Follow these simple steps on how to grow a clover lawn: RELATED: Keep Off the Grass: 5 Alternatives to a Traditional Lawn. Why has no one been doing this besides me? White clover is a low-growing forage legume used predominantly in pasture mixtures with grasses. All over North America, people are making the choice to replace their grass lawns with easier-to-manage plants that dont require so much care. Before getting into a project, researching your options is key. White Clover: Also called Trifolium repens or Dutch clover, this variety typically grows taller than microclover. 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. 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. Clover is resilient and doesnt need any pampering. I basically just want a really low maintenance thick green lawn thats dense with SOMETHING perennial and highly drought resistant, but I dont know what to plant. Clover provides shade to the soil, reducing water evaporation, and helping grass survive periods of drought. With a less invasive clump-forming habit, the microclover tends to have a lower growth rate, fewer flowers, and smaller leaves. In seeding micro clover in semi mature lawns, what is the norm for mowing? Mowing flowers off, however, negates the benefit of providing food and shelter for pollinators. Because of these characteristics and their nitrogen-fixing ability, there is interest in using microclover in lawns to enhance turfgrass growth and reduce nitrogen fertilizer applications. Regular white Dutch clover and Microclover are essentially the same plant. Then, sow at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2 lb per 1000 square feet. Red clover requires good soil moisture, but is not as tolerant of wet conditions as white clover. My question is whether there is true a difference in Miniclover as opposed to Dutch White Clover? Micro clover has several benefits, but this plant's drawbacks can also be a deal-breaker for others. Micro clover is an extra-small version of white clover (Trifolium repens) that has been around for decades in Europe. If you do go with Micro Clover youll definitely need to be careful about what you use for products because many weed killers kill clover, as do many weed and feed products. White clover can tolerate close grazing but persists best if allowed a period to recover. It seems to have a niche but the only standalone plantings I have seen are in clover seed production fields. White clover is one of the most nutritious forages available. While on the other hand White Clover really doesn't have a limited life span and also attracts beneficial creatures (to a slightly lower extent), it also fertilizes the soil via its root system. Thats anecdotal, but its a very specific observation I had looking at three different cool-season options in my neighborhood (though its worth pointing out that the micro-clover wasnt fully established yet, and was in its first year still performed very well). From what I have read, it is only supposed to grow 1-3 high. Do you still have to treat for grubs with a clover lawn? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. If you plant too late in the fall, it might not germinate till next spring. It doesn't seem to make any claims about "performing" better than dutch clover in terms of nitrogen fixation, wear hardiness, etc. It feeds the soil with nitrogen, chokes out pesky weeds, and boosts turf texture. The reason is that annual clovers, which must come from seed each year, have more difficulty becoming established due to competition from grasses and other plants (especially perennial plants) than do perennial clovers which already have a good root system established. Its a contentious debate. 1. In the strictest sense, all of our cultivated crops are genetically modified through selective breeding practices. Try it out with Sundays help. Over time, this might mean less frequent mowing is required to maintain a manicured lawn appearance. Microclover refers to smaller varieties of white clover (Trifolium repens var. Further, the traditional white clover plant that appeared in lawns tends to form big clumps that suppress desirable grasses. People concerned about fertilizer run-off into water sources will be particularly interested in the ecological advantages a micro clover lawn can provide. Thats because clover grass is drought-tolerantyet it might stay green year-round, even in northern hardiness zones. Thanks for the time, Is the presence of micro clover in your lawn a gardening delight or a gardening fail? Hopefully, I have covered most everything. Some are more tolerant of certain climatic conditions, soil conditions, and/or management regimes than others. The florets range in color from white to pink. RELATED: 12 Ways to Be a Good Neighborto Your Backyard Wildlife. Carly Fraser has her BSc (Hons.) It is said the Miniclover is a dwarf variety of Dutch White, but will revert to full size if not mowed. Unlike regular Dutch clover, it doesnt grow in clumps, grows more slowly, and is less aggressive at crowding out other plants. Theres been a lot of talk lately in the gardening world about clover. What does clover look like? 5. Keep the soil moist until germination. Prevent anyone from walking on the seeds for at least four weeks after sowing so that the plants have a chance of establishing themselves. Wear Tolerant: The wear tolerance of turf containing Miniclover or microclovers will exceed that of traditional lawn grasses. Water your clover until it is fully established (especially if you live in a hot, dry climate). 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.
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