Micro Clover Lawn Review 2023 - Pros & Cons of Clover
In this guide, we'll examine the advantages and disadvantages of a Micro Clover lawn to see what all the fuss is about.
What is Micro Clover
The Micro Clover, also called Dutch White Clover, is a smaller or dwarf variety of the White Clover. It is a tiny broadleaf weed that originated in Europe and spread to America along with many other plant species. People began to take notice once it entered lawns as a result of natural dispersal.
Legumes like Micro Clover help improve soil and give lawns a thick, vibrant appearance, which makes a noticeable difference to people's lawns. Seed growers started including clover seeds in their grass seed blends once they realized the advantages of the plant. Clover is now a typical sight in lawns all over the world, not just in America. (Also Read: Micro Clover Lawn Pros and Cons)
Which is the Best Partner Grass for Micro Clover
Certain kinds of grasses are best for helping Micro Clover grow. Check to see if the seeds will work on your lawn before grabbing a bag. The top collaborators for Micro Clover are listed below.
- Fine fescues
- Tall fescues
- Dwarf perennial ryegrass
- Kentucky bluegrass
Calling the extension office in your area could be helpful if you have any questions. They can advise a grass seed and Micro Clover blend that is most effective in your region.
Micro Clover Vs. Regular Clover
When you hear "clover," you probably envision the well-known and widely-grown white clover. It is the most prevalent type of clover in the country., growing 4-8 inches tall and producing white flowers with a pink hue in spring and summer.
Compared to "regular clover" (white clover), microclover grows lower to the ground, has smaller leaves, produces fewer flowers, and does not grow in clumps.
The Pros of a Micro Clover Lawn Explained
Different clovers have been used in lawns for years, demonstrating that it is a solution that both works and works well. What distinguishes the Micro Clover, however, and what are its specific advantages? So let's look at the advantages and discover what makes it unique.
Natural Fertilizer
Legumes are a class of plants that fix nitrogen from the air into an organic form. Since the Micro Clover produces nitrogen, the soil's structure is quickly improved, and the turf grass has access to a food source. This means that you can use less fertilizer on your lawn because Micro Clover will handle it.
Run Off Reduction
A decrease in nitrogen runoff results from using fewer synthetic fertilizers in the yard. Runoff occurs when fertilizers enter nearby waterways as a result of excessive spraying, overcasting, or rainfall. Algal growth in both freshwater and saltwater depends primarily on the nitrogen found in fertilizer. This explains why problems like red tide and dead aquatic animals in our lakes and rivers.
Non-Fertilizing Areas
Many municipalities have restricted the use of fertilizers in order to address nitrogen runoff. This may include no-go zones and nitrogen level restrictions. There are probably margins where many people who live near water are not permitted to fertilize. For instance, I've seen city ordinances that prohibit fertilizing within 10 feet of storm drains and waterways. Micro Clover can therefore be a way to get around the dearth of fertilizer in these areas if you have one of these restrictions.
Keeps Its Green Color
Again, because Micro Clover is a legume, a nitrogen source is always available to it.
For the clover to maintain its vibrant green color, nitrogen is the main nutrient needed. As a result, Micro Clover typically maintains its gorgeous green color all year long, provided the weather isn't too harsh.
Mixes With Turf Grass
Turf grass has been shown to respond favorably to Micro Clover, and it has even been reported to lessen thatching. You can also observe a decrease in the requirement for aeration. (Read More: How To Lay Turf - Lawn Laying Guide)
Less of a Clumper
If you've seen clovers in other lawns, you might have noticed that they tend to grow in clumps and can sometimes appear patchy. You won't have to worry about patchy grass because Micro Clover doesn't grow that way. Instead, because it spreads evenly across the lawn, this type of clover has a more natural appearance. Okay, so long as you seed the lawn properly.
Smothers Other Weeds
To prevent the growth of smaller plants, clover has long been used as a ground cover. This means that the cover that clover provides should deter weeds from germinating in your lawn. Although Micro Clover stops weeds from growing, turfgrasses are not affected in the same way.
Pollen Producer
The clover attracts a variety of beneficial insects that are good for the environment and your yard once it blooms. While keeping pollinator pests out of your way, micro clover aids in the pollination of the other plants in your yard. For the population of bees, which is always in trouble, it is a fantastic food source.
The Cons of a Micro Clover Lawn You Should Keep in Mind
Let's look at the disadvantages of Micro Clover before you get too excited about it. I haven't heard only positive things about Micro Clover, so it's important to be aware of the drawbacks.
Heat Or Cold
Like most plants, they thrive in particular climates. Micro Clover is the same. A Micro Clover lawn will therefore struggle, die, or go dormant if the temperature is too high or too low.
Dormant in the Winter
Wintertime Micro Clover will have less allure. It will stop growing and develop brown tips once the temperatures fall. Warmer climates won't have a problem with this because the Micro Clover won't actually stop growing.
Sun Plant
A sun plant is Micro Clover. It needs 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, according to this. Micro Clover won't grow in areas of your yard that don't receive enough sunlight, so plan accordingly.
Broadleaf Herbicides
A weed with broad leaves, microclover is. Therefore, any herbicide weed killer you use on your lawn will also kill the clover. This covers remedies like $5 weed sprays. Consequently, if you treat the weeds in your yard, you will unavoidably also be attacking the clover.
Susceptible to Blight
One issue that can really affect Micro Clover is blight. So Micro Clover might have trouble if you live somewhere humid. Browning leaves and a patchy lawn are signs of blight.
Needs Reseeding
Clover cannot be planted with just one seed. Every two to three years, Micro Clover needs to be reseeded. Therefore, you should be aware that there will be additional expenses down the road.
Finding Clover in Your Flower Beds
Clover's attractive spreading and lack of clumping is one of its advantages. It is unaware that you want it to stop at the lawn's edge, though. Therefore, if you plant Micro Clover on your lawn, it will also grow in your flower beds.
Bee Allergies
Again, bees are beneficial to your yard and nature, but if you suffer from bee allergies, you should stay away from Micro Clover and all other types of Clover.
Is a Micro Clover Lawn for You?
You most likely already know whether a Micro Clover lawn is a good fit for your yard. In conclusion, review the Micro Clover lawn pros and cons list and make sure to take into account all the issues we have raised.
- Provides Natural Fertilizer
- Fertilizes No-Go Zones
- Reduces Run Off
- Attracts Insects, Including Bees
- Spreads Into Flowerbeds
- Does Not Like Too Hot or Cold
- Becomes Dormant in Winter
- Not a Shade Plant
- Susceptible to Blight
- Needs Reseeding
How to Take Care of Clover
Unlike typical grass, clover needs a different kind of maintenance. Learning how to properly maintain and care for it is not too difficult.
Clover is typically best planted in the early spring, between mid-March and mid-April. If you don't get to it in the spring, you can start a lawn from seed in the fall, but summer is not the best time to do it.
The tiny size of the clover seeds contributes to one of the challenges of planting clover seed. Because of this, a lot of people will combine it with sand, sawdust, or soil. You will be able to spread it more evenly as a result than you otherwise could.
Once you've planted clover in your lawn, water it every day until the seedlings emerge and then for another two to three weeks after that.
While that is the basics of planting clover, other care tips are:
- If your lawn has a lot of clover, avoid using herbicides. Many will harm it.
- By setting your mower blades to between 1.5 and 2 inches, you can encourage any clover patches that are already present on your lawn. If your lawn is only made of clover, repeat this procedure for the entire yard.
- It takes a lot of sunlight to grow clover. If you've placed it in an area with a lot of shade, you can anticipate it to grow more slowly. In these circumstances, you ought to use twice as much seed.
Conclusion
You might not have thought about adding micro clover to your lawn or completely changing it up until now.
Make sure you are aware of all of the benefits and drawbacks listed here before deciding whether this is the best course of action for you, your family, and/or your property.
We suggest reading this guide on how to grow micro clover if you decide to add it to your garden but aren't sure where or how to begin.
With micro clover, many people have had positive outcomes. If you have any inquiries or remarks, please let us know.
FAQ About Microclover
1. How Much Does Microclover Cost?
Microclover seed can be quite expensive. The majority of microclover costs $30 to $40 per pound. You will require 1-2 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet for a brand-new microclover lawn. As a result, the cost of seed for a 10,000 square foot, medium-sized lawn will range from $300 to $800.The sticker shock won't be as bad if you just want to use microclover to overseed your current lawn grass (though the cost is still quite high). To overseed a medium-sized, 10,000-square-foot lawn, you'll need to spread half a pound of microclover seed per 1,000 square feet, which will cost $150 to $400.
2. How Much Microclover Should Be in a Grass Seed Mix?
You'll want between 3% and 5% of your lawn seed to be microclover if you decide to go with a mixture of microclover and turfgrass or microclover and other clovers.3. When Should I Plant Microclover?
Early in the spring, between the middles of March and April, sow your clover. In order for your lawn to succeed this summer, you'll need to give it time to grow lush, dense, and green.Spreading seed in early fall (four to six weeks before the first frost) is an option if you want to overseed your lawn with clover. Plant your seeds after aerating your lawn to get your clover off to a good start. Baby clover roots will prosper if they have access to an abundance of water, air, and nutrients.