micro clover vs white clovermicro clover vs white clover

In addition, the autumn forage growth of established perennial clovers is better than that of recently germinated annual clovers. Free shipping on orders of $75.00 or more. Reviewed by Dr. Mark J. Carroll, Director, Environmental Science & Policy Program, University of Maryland, April 2019. Once your clover is fully established, mow and return clippings to your lawn for a natural feeding. White Clover - Penn State Extension Is there a legitmate difference in Miniclover vs Dutch White Clover support your yards soil by top-dressing it with compost, Sundays Lucky Lawn clover and grass seed blend, This is my top recommendation for raw or uncoated micro clover seeds, What to Do When - Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Care, When to Plant Grass Seed (in every state & growing region), Best Spring Lawn Fertilizer (greenest lawn on the block), Spurge Weed Identification (+ how to kill it in your lawn), The Disadvantages of Zero Turn Mowers (that nobodys talking about), Buy 100% micro clover seed with no fillers (. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. A full-blown stand of micro clover will require at least two pounds of seed per 1000 square feet. Related: How to Read the Weeds for a Healthier Lawn. It improves forage quality above a pure grass stand and supplies nitrogen for grass growth. My question is whether there is true a difference in Miniclover as opposed to Dutch White Clover? This differs from public domain varieties that do not have licenses or royalties attached to them. The primary clovers used in lawns are strawberry, white and red, most of which grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10. Sowing the same size areawith a premium grass seed will cost about $100 or less, depending on the brand and the store. Pirouette), Friedrich (Klimpi) Loosli (Klimperator) / EyeEm / Getty Images, A Regional Guide to Cover Crops to Banish the Bare Ground, 11 Edible Ground Cover Plants for Backyards and Gardens, The 20 Best Evergreen Shrubs for a Perfect Garden, 13 Best Examples of Cover Crops for Your Small Farm, Growing Guide for Daphne Odora: Plant Care Tips and Varieties, The Best Organic Potting Soil for All Your Gardening Needs, the harmful effects of using pesticides on lawns. White clover seed for lawns costs an average of about $4 per pound. It makes most of its growth in mid-spring. Clover is a benefit to yards with poor soil, and it can thrive in compacted or poorly draining soil. Limiting nitrogen runoff is a goal of theMaryland Lawn Fertilizer Lawas part of broader efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay. 1. Im in New England with very sandy soil on my lot, so periods of drought can be tough on my yard too. The small white flowers are also great for pollinators, should you choose to let them grow. My lawn had alot of naturally growing Dutch clover the past few years but that too dried up and died. 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. Microclover Information: How To Grow A Microclover Lawn Please check your inbox to download your FREE eBook. - Ask Extension. In many areas red clover plants can live for 2 years (and occasionally longer), but in the lower South it often acts as an annual. The Ultimate Guide to Fight Inflammation and Restore Your Health! 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. Both of them seem to do very well in perennial legumes. It produces beautiful purple flowers, which make it a popular choice for meadows and wildflower gardens, as well. That was fascinating to me! If good bacteria are present in the soil, then there is sufficient nitrogen to give your grass and clover a good start. You will need to sow 25% more of these seeds compared to grass seed into an existing lawn. I agree it can be tricky to know exactly what youre getting, Sanford. This one has smaller leaves and far fewer blooms, but it is a lot more tolerant to foot traffic and mowing. 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! Furthermore, clovers may also differ with regard to the particular benefits they provide (for example, if forage growth is desired at a specific time, one clover may be a much better choice than another). 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. If having micro clover as part of your lawn helps achieve this objective, then its worth considering for many environmentally conscious homeowners. 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). Micro clover is an extra-small version of white clover (Trifolium repens) that has been around for decades in Europe. So you have to ask yourself if paying three times as much up-front is worth spending less in annual maintenance costs. The reason for the chickens is a different story. A good way to determine the usefulness of various clovers in a given situation is to simply purchase some seed and make trial plantings. 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. That means more money in your pocket as you save from spending it on lawn care companies to aerate your lawn. White clover is a low-growing forage legume used predominantly in pasture mixtures with grasses. 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. In this case, you would not need to buy seeds coated with nitrogen. These types have smaller leaves, fewer flowers, and a lower growth habit compared to Dutch white clover. The hardy nature of micro clover also limits the growth of weeds. Dont water too heavily or your seeds will run off and pool in low areas. A clover-only planting would worry me in regard to its ability to keep the weeds out. 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. But another great reason to seed micro clover into your grass is to make your existing lawn healthier. Lawns and Microclover | University of Maryland Extension - UMD Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription! Differences Between Red Clover, and White Clover (Mini Clover) I use Coop Poop, which I. A medium-sized, 10,000-square-foot lawn will cost twice as much. Sow clover seed at roughly 6 to 8 ounces per 1,000 square feet. The main difference between the two is height Dutch clover is slightly taller than microclover, which tends to have smaller leaves and is more compact. It can therefore thrive even if the soil is nitrogen deficient. In these areas, most prepared-seed bed plantings are made in autumn 4 to 6 weeks before the date of the first killing frost. Trifoli. RELATED:12 Ways to Rewild Your Suburban Plot. Mini Clover or microclover - Ask Extension In areas where it is well adapted, it is the best-yielding clover species. They're both Trifolium repens and have the same functioning parts. Further, the traditional white clover plant that appeared in lawns tends to form big clumps that suppress desirable grasses. A ten-pound bag of micro clover seeds costs, on average, $450. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While manicured monocultural lawns may look nice, they have drawbacks, such as depriving pollinators of food and habitat and requiring greater water consumption, maintenance, and chemical treatment than a clover lawn requires. Are you ready to take the leap into microclover? Think a clover lawn is right for you? Will clover take over grass? It has tiny leaves and fewer white flowers. The invention of the lawn mower, as well as planned communities designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (the designer of Central Park) and other landscape architects, further cemented the trend in the U.S. 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. Subterranean Clover Subterranean clover is a dense, low-growing annual best suited to areas having mild winters. The second summer the clover has shot up over 6 8 inches in some parts with leaves 3 x regular clover. Naturally-produced nitrogen from clover and other legumes in your yard limits the need to apply fertilizer. Difference #1: When regularly mown, Microclover is smaller, shorter, and more compact than Common White Clover. It put the other grasses I was trialing to shame. As I mentioned above, micro clover is capable of producing its own nitrogen. Microclover lawns are more tolerant of heavy foot traffic. If the seeds are broadcast over an existing lawn, germination will be greatly reduced (hence why raking deep into the grass to open up spots of soil is recommended). Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Apr 23, 2019 Carly Fraser Post contains aAffiliate links Save For Later Print. All content copyright document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Why You Should Consider a Micro Clover Lawn (The Mini Clover Trend However, a purely Micro Clover lawn is not that popular for one main reason. Originally produced in the Netherlands and Denmark for use in golf courses, micro clover offers homeowners a lush option in low maintenance landscaping. When planting a new lawn with micro clover, prepare the top 4 to 6 inches of your soil by tilling and adding compost. Lawn trials show that mixes of 5 to 10% microclover will maintain the benefits of a clover lawn and keep weeds at bay. The drawback, however, is if you or your children tend to walk barefoot, theres a small chance you could accidentally step on a bee and get stung. Once you start mowing it, however, the tight compactness of leaves will start to become apparent. Although these herbicides were targeting broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, broadleaf plantain and buckhorn plantain, they killed off the clover as well. While the white clover is the most popular and easiest to find on the market, other varieties may better suit your lawn conditions. The nitrogen-fixing properties of clovers build nutrients in the soil and feed other grasses in the blend, leading to a thick, dense cover. The following are its best growing conditions: If you live in a more northern region, then your lawn is most likely Kentucky Bluegrass. If your grass is thin or brown, its possible that clover can take over those areas of your lawnespecially if theyre shady. Less Fertilizer: because of its nitrogen-fixing abilities, clover does not have to be fertilized. While micro clover was designed for mixed grass/clover purposes, that doesnt mean you cant sow a pure micro clover lawn. First, lets start with the fact that clover fixes nitrogen in the soil (an incredibly important process that helps other nearby plants (and gardens) flourish. In terms of genetic engineering, I am unaware of any commercially available clover varieties. Recommended pairings: Tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This means it keeps your lawn looking greener and lusher throughout the spring and summer. Micro Clover Lawn Pros And Cons: Should You Have Them? - Den Residence Hi Jay I dont know of any personally, but I can assure you that clover is a much better option than grass. Benefits of Miniclover versus White Dutch Clover? : r/NoLawns - Reddit Before adding the seed, mow your lawn extra close to the soil surface. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In that situation, they dont do as well during droughts. Clover adds diversity to lawns and provides food for bees. The seeds are small, so do your best to maintain this level of distribution across your lawn. Some of the delicate seeds will get caught in the grass blades and never make it to the ground. So, without further adieu, here are some reasons why you might want (or might not want) to grow a micro clover lawn. https://www.naturesseed.com/skin/frontend/naturesfinest/vstyle/images/logo.png. While clover is certainly nothing new, the buzz has been focused on the latest varieties of white clover that have been bred for smaller and smaller leaf sizes. If you plant too late in the fall, it might not germinate till next spring. Still have a question? Microclover is a variation of white clover. Microclover is more tolerant of traffic than many lawn alternatives and welcomes walking and playing on its surface. 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. That would also leave me hesitantabout its staying power as the primary stabilization tool without some grasses to help round things out. From what I have read, it is only supposed to grow 1-3 high. 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. 1) Is Trifolium repens L. var. This is particularly true with so many droughts happening nowadays I wouldnt be surprised if everyone switched to micro clover as a result. Homeowners were generally OK with this, however, because clover flowers attract bees, and no one wants a child running across the lawn to get stung. 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. It is more difficult finding it in local garden centers, so buying micro clover online seems to be the best option. It can feel overwhelming to do this all at once, so take it in sections. Due to its low growth profile, it's considered one of the best clovers for lawns. 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. Contact us at Ask Extension. Micro clover also works well in . Therefore, you don't need to trim it down too often to maintain a neat lawn. The protein concentration of white clover will exceed 15% and the digestibility 70%. A 100% microclover lawn is a thing of beauty, but as noted above, the seed can be costly for larger areas. Its contribution to the total forage yield in a mixed stand is . Clover is heat and drought-tolerant. Some people do kill their lawn and start over, sowing their entire lawn in micro clover. 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. Its hard to say if this is an issue with management style, cross-pollination with regular clover, or something else, but be aware that it can happen. If weeds appear, pull by hand. Strawberry clover isnt as well known as white clover. Not to mention, some people also take the toxic route of spraying their lawns with herbicides to get rid of dandelions. In that setting, it is only utilized for 2 crop years before removal. This clover does not reseed well due to a low level of hard seed production. It spreads out to fill holes in your turfgrass and creates a dense canopy which prevents weeds from germinating. Traditional clover otherwise known as White Clover or Dutch clover in your lawn could be a signal that your grass is starving. Also, the hearty clover keeps other weeds from creeping in. Nitrogen Fixer: clovers are actually legumes, which improve the fertility and health fo the soil. What should I do? "Trifolium repens." She is a master gardener and master naturalist. This is one reason why clover does so well when mixed with grass. As the roots grow along the surface, new clover plants will fill in any blank spots. Clover Selection Guide - Pennington All clovers are legumes. Is micro clover the way to go? Once we grow clover, does that mean we should only use fertilizer (i.e, no weed or crabgrass killer)? Clover does well even in high heat and prolonged drought conditions. Do not fertilize your clover lawn, as its unnecessary. Pros and Cons of Micro Clover Lawn | Lawn Model In the case of many annual clovers, much of the seed produced in spring or early summer will germinate in the autumn of that year, but some may lie dormant until subsequent years. Clover seed is highly affordable. Dutch white clover is the most common variety, providing lawns with that class clover look. Soil conditions, expected climatic conditions, and grower objectives are important factors influencing which clovers will be the correct one(s) to plant in a particular situation. With the copyright symbol on Mini clover does it mean it is genetically modified? Ball clover is best suited to heavy soils, but is surprisingly well adapted to fairly dry sites as well. So why would you want to plant clover with itty-bitty leaves? Required fields are marked *. The most commonly used perennial clovers in the United States are white clover and red clover. Deciding between coated and non-coated seeds will depend on the condition of your soil. How Many Square Feet in a Pallet of Sod on Average? West Coast Seeds has it (heres the link) if you want to buy directly from a company and cant find what youre looking for on Amazon. Where can I get true Microclover? I believe that claim I tested some out in a 5 gallon bucket once and when I turned the bucket over you wouldnt believe the root mass! Crimson Clover Crimson clover is a dependable, productive annual which has larger seed and better seedling vigor than most clovers. This kind of grass is perfect for including micro clover. Clover, therefore, does the work of a fertilizer, eliminating that additional expense for gardeners. Gardeners can also benefit from adding clover seed during aeration, the process of loosening up compact soil to help it breathe. The florets range in color from white to pink. There is some use of annual clovers in winter rainfall areas of California and Oregon, but most plantings of the commonly used annual clovers (arrowleaf clover, ball clover, berseem clover, crimson clover, rose clover, and subterranean clover) in the United States are made in the South (Figure 1). Purchase a pre-mixed microclover lawn blend. Gently rake in the seed for an even distribution and good soil contact. Remember what you planted and where, so when you have success, youll know which variety to spread further. RELATED: 12 Ways to Be a Good Neighborto Your Backyard Wildlife. Microclover: Key Features As the name indicates, it's the smallest variety of white clover. Regions with less humidity and fewer periods of excessive heat, Areas with adequate rainfall, not prone to drought. You can attempt to overseed an established lawn with micro clover by raking the lawn well, and scratching the surface a bit. 3 It also has smaller leaves and grows. Microclover Lawn Seed - Good Nature Organic Landscape Supply Micro clover is fairly drought tolerant, requiring about 25% less water than conventional lawns to stay green. Microclover is one such variety developed by the DLF seed company. Trees in the area have Wet Wood, Verticillium Wilt, and a few lost to fire blight. Each clover stem will have three small petal-shaped leaves (four if youre lucky!) No Herbicide: clover is a broad-leaf plant, so applying herbicide will kill the plant. White Clover: Also called Trifolium repens or Dutch clover, this variety typically grows taller than microclover. However, as they were picking along, I watched a few of them feeding on red clover leaves. 6. 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. Lime where necessary, since microclover does best with a pH of 6 to 7. The University of Maryland conducted research on microclover used in combination with turf-type tall fescue. Removing your existing lawn would be the first step if you want a full-coverage micro clover lawn. They grow very close to the ground. 10. It feeds the soil with nitrogen, chokes out pesky weeds, and boosts turf texture. Theyre both Trifolium repens and have the same functioning parts. Heres my privacy policy. Your email address will not be published. Hi Sarah, With a less invasive clump-forming habit, the microclover tends to have a lower growth rate, fewer flowers, and smaller leaves. Microclover is more drought tolerant and needs less fertilizer and mowing than most lawn grasses. Second, Microclover might not stay micro forever. 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. For folks with reservations about mixing clover into their grass lawn, Microclover is more acceptable visually. Ready to take the next step toward improving your lawn? All of your herbivores will have a taste for clover. Think of it like buying a dog from a shelter versus buying a designer toy dog from a breeder. Many of these species are necessary for our survival, but they are facing dwindling numbers due to habitat loss and pesticide use. 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. Theres been a lot of talk lately in the gardening world about clover. Turner, Dr. Thomas. The biggest advantage to this small-leaved version is how it blends with a grass lawn. Its a little pricey, but a very high quality micro-clover that you can expect to stay true when it self-seeds. One area with a poor track record for growing micro clover is the extreme Southern United States. Rotational stocking is the best way to utilize berseem clover pastures. Though widely adapted, it is best suited to soils which have good moisture-holding ability. 2. 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. It doesn't seem to make any claims about "performing" better than dutch clover in terms of nitrogen fixation, wear hardiness, etc. Mowing it any lower will stress the plant. I hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. 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. 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. Clover tolerates compacted soil better than grasses do, and even tends to reduce compaction (therefore, aerating is kind of pointless). The only one I would worry about in clover would be Vert. However,the characteristics of clover species differ. If it is mowed occasionally, it will reach about 4 inches high. Microclover needs 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day. Ten-pound bags that will cover 5,000 square feet are close to $300. Microclover also flowers less than white clover, reducing the chances that children (and adults) will suffer bee stings when playing outside. It seems to have a niche but the only standalone plantings I have seen are in clover seed production fields. 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. 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. Unlike regular Dutch clover, it doesnt grow in clumps, grows more slowly, and is less aggressive at crowding out other plants. Disease, insects, soil needs? I have always liked orchard grass because it is territorial in its growth habit and seems to be pretty durable. This publication provides general information regarding a number of points that should be considered when deciding which clovers to plant. Bred for low height and small leaves, it can be used as a standalone ground cover or as 2% - 5% of a lawn mix. If youre simply wanting to thicken up an established lawn with micro clover then you can treat it the same way you would with regular grass mow it when it looks like it needs it. 3) Clover is not durable enough for high-traffic areas. Unfortunately, they don't eat blackberry or Tansy, only my flowers, shrubs, and vegetables! For this method, all you have to do is toss out seeds and water them, just as you would with grass seed. One of the easier options for getting started is to add seeds to your existing space a little at a time. The neighbor with micro clover loves it and wont go back his primary reason for switching was because he has had such a bad grub problem in the past (grubs shouldnt bother your micro clover). What are the pros and cons of planting a 100% micro cover as a turf replacement ground cover? In the strictest sense, all of our cultivated crops are genetically modified through selective breeding practices. Those are a lot of great questions! Adding seeds a little bit at a time is a convenient way to get your clover lawn started. What is Microclover and Why is it Good for My Lawn? If another goal is to add more garden beds and spaces for flowers to a traditional lawn, remove chunks of your lawn to start fresh. Nitrogen from rainwater and granular fertilizer penetrates the soil and feeds your grass. Arrowleaf/grass mixtures should be grazed enough to prevent the clover seedlings from being shaded by the grass. Repels Pests and Weeds: clover helps discourage insect pests, most of which prefer grasses. Microclover Seed: A Grass Lawn'S Best Friend | Nature's Seed 10 Reasons Why a Clover Lawn is Better Than a Grass Lawn