Clover is a versatile legume frequently chosen in Colorado for its ability to improve soil health and serve as a low-maintenance groundcover. This plant partners with soil bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, which naturally fertilizes the surrounding soil without the need for synthetic nitrogen applications. Clover is often used as a resilient, green alternative to traditional turfgrass or as a cover crop to prevent soil erosion. Understanding the timing and preparation required for successful establishment is paramount for gardeners facing Colorado’s unique environmental conditions.
Optimal Planting Seasons
The most successful clover planting in Colorado occurs during two distinct windows, capitalizing on cooler temperatures and reliable moisture. The first window is in early spring, just after the last hard frost has passed. This timing allows the seeds to benefit from spring snowmelt and rains, providing the consistent moisture needed for initial germination.
The ideal soil temperature for clover seed germination ranges between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring planting is generally preferred in high-altitude mountain regions where the growing season is shorter. The second optimal time is late summer or early fall, about six to eight weeks before the first anticipated hard frost.
Fall planting allows the seedlings to establish a robust root system before winter dormancy, ensuring a strong start the following spring. This late-summer planting is often successful in Front Range communities because it avoids the intense, dry heat of mid-summer, which can scorch fragile new seedlings.
Selecting the Right Clover for Colorado Climate Zones
The diverse climate zones across Colorado require careful selection of clover varieties to ensure resilience and longevity. The intended use dictates the choice, whether for a dense lawn substitute or for maximizing soil structure. Always consider the specific microclimate of the planting site, including altitude and sun exposure.
Lawn Alternatives
White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) is a common choice, prized for its low-growing habit and ability to tolerate foot traffic, making it suitable for lawn alternatives. Microclover, a cultivar of White Dutch Clover, is specifically bred to be less aggressive and maintain a compact, dwarf size. This makes it highly desirable for blending with existing turfgrass.
Soil Improvement and Drought Tolerance
Given Colorado’s arid environment, selecting varieties with enhanced drought tolerance is recommended. Native options, such as Dalea species (prairie clovers), are naturally adapted to low-moisture conditions and alkaline soils. For soil improvement, Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is often used because its deeper taproots can break up compacted soil and access nutrients from lower soil layers.
Ground Preparation and Seeding
Successful clover establishment begins with preparing a clean seedbed free of competing vegetation. Before planting, clear existing weeds, as broadleaf herbicides will damage the newly sown clover. Lightly scarifying the soil surface with a rake exposes the mineral soil, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact.
Clover prefers a soil pH that is neutral to slightly acidic, ideally falling between 6.0 and 7.0. A soil test can help determine if amendments are needed before planting. The small seeds should be broadcast evenly over the prepared surface using the appropriate seeding rate.
Seeding Rates
The typical rate for overseeding is around 1 pound per 1,000 square feet. For establishing a pure clover stand, a higher rate of 2 to 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet is recommended.
After broadcasting, the seeds should be covered very lightly, no more than 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep, or simply rolled to press them into the soil surface. Clover seeds require light to germinate, so deep planting reduces the success rate. Immediately following seeding, maintain consistent, gentle moisture until the seedlings are fully established, ensuring the top layer of soil does not dry out for the first two to three weeks.