Clover, a member of the legume family, is a versatile plant often utilized as a low-maintenance lawn alternative, a cover crop, or a nitrogen fixer for the soil. Its ability to capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a usable form makes it a popular choice for sustainable landscaping and gardening. Establishing a healthy stand of clover from seed requires attention to detail across several steps, from selecting the correct variety to ensuring proper post-planting care.
Choosing the Right Clover Variety
Selecting the variety best suited to the project’s goals is the first step in successful clover planting. White Clover (Trifolium repens), particularly Dutch White Clover or Microclover, is the most common choice for lawns because it has a low-growing, creeping habit and tolerates frequent mowing and foot traffic. Microclover is favored for a neat appearance as it produces fewer flowers and has smaller leaves. Planting is ideally timed for early spring or late summer, when soil temperatures are consistently between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
For use as a cover crop or for maximizing biomass, Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) or Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) are better options, as they grow much taller, often reaching 1 to 2 feet in height. These larger varieties are excellent for soil improvement, but they are not suited for a traditional lawn setting. Purchase pre-inoculated seed or apply a specific Rhizobium inoculant before sowing. This introduces the correct strain of bacteria required to form nodules on the clover roots, which is necessary for the plant’s nitrogen-fixing process.
Ground Preparation Before Sowing
Proper preparation of the planting area is necessary to ensure clover seeds can germinate and establish without competition. Clover struggles against existing weeds in its early stages, so all existing vegetation should be removed. This can be done mechanically, such as by raking or light tilling, or through a smothering technique using black plastic or cardboard. If tilling is performed, allowing the soil to rest for a couple of weeks helps dormant weed seeds germinate, which can then be removed manually before planting.
Clover thrives in a soil pH range of slightly acidic to neutral, typically between 6.0 and 7.0. A soil test is highly recommended to determine if lime is needed to adjust acidity. Applying lime several weeks before planting is important, as it takes time to effectively change the soil’s pH level. The final preparation step involves lightly loosening the top 1/2 to 1 inch of soil with a rake, which creates the optimal surface texture for seed-to-soil contact.
Sowing the Clover Seed
Sowing the clover seed requires even distribution and shallow coverage to promote uniform growth. Seeding rates vary significantly based on the clover variety and the intended purpose, such as using a higher rate for a pure clover lawn compared to a lower rate when overseeding into an existing grass stand. For example, White Dutch Clover is often sown at a rate of approximately 1/4 to 1/2 pound per 1,000 square feet for a pure lawn.
To achieve an even spread, mix the seed with a carrier like sand or sawdust. The carrier material helps make it easier to visually track where the seed has been applied. Sow the area in two passes, with the second pass running perpendicular to the first, following a crosshatch pattern for maximum coverage uniformity. After broadcasting, gently rake the seeds into the soil surface or press lightly with a lawn roller to establish firm seed-to-soil contact, ensuring the seeds are covered no deeper than 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
Post-Planting Care for Successful Growth
The period immediately following sowing is critical for clover establishment, with consistent moisture required for successful germination. The planted area must be watered lightly and frequently, ideally two to three times daily, to keep the top layer of soil continually moist but not waterlogged. This regimen must be maintained until the seedlings emerge, which often occurs within seven to fourteen days.
Once the seedlings appear and grow their first true leaves, the frequency of watering can be gradually reduced as the root systems develop. Clover is drought-tolerant once established, but it needs this initial intensive irrigation to survive. If the clover is being grown as a lawn or will be mowed, delay the first cutting until the plants have reached a height of 4 to 6 inches to ensure they are well-rooted. Mowing too early can severely damage the young plants and disrupt the establishment process.