Clover offers a sustainable alternative to traditional turfgrass, especially in Utah’s varied and often arid landscape. This low-growing legume fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobium bacteria, naturally reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Clover varieties also exhibit superior drought tolerance compared to many common lawn grasses, helping them stay green during dry summer months. Planting clover creates a resilient ground cover that supports local pollinator populations.
Optimal Planting Seasons for Utah
The success of a clover stand depends on planting during a period that allows for robust root development before extreme weather. Clover seeds germinate best when the soil temperature consistently registers between 50°F and 70°F, creating two primary planting windows in Utah. The first window is early spring, following the final hard frost, typically mid-April through early May along the Wasatch Front. This timing allows seedlings to establish using natural moisture from spring melt before the intense summer heat arrives.
The late summer or early fall window, running from mid-August through mid-September, is often preferred. This autumn period provides cooler air temperatures and increased soil moisture, encouraging strong root growth. Seeding must be completed at least six to eight weeks before the average date of the first hard frost to ensure young plants survive winter dormancy.
Regional variations significantly affect these schedules; higher elevations experience later spring and earlier fall frost dates. Homeowners must consult local frost projections and use a soil thermometer to confirm the 50°F minimum soil temperature for successful germination. Planting outside these optimal conditions risks desiccation in summer or frost damage to underdeveloped seedlings in the fall.
Selecting the Right Clover Species for Utah’s Climate
The choice of clover species should be tailored to the specific application and Utah’s environmental challenges, including alkaline soil and low-water conditions.
White Dutch Clover and Microclover
White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) is a popular perennial choice for low-maintenance lawns, tolerating a wide range of soil types and higher pH levels. This variety is low-growing, spreads via stolons, and creates a dense ground cover that handles foot traffic well. Microclover, a cultivar of White Dutch, is bred to be smaller and less aggressive, blending seamlessly into traditional grass lawns. Microclover requires less mowing and produces fewer flowers, though it is slightly less drought-tolerant than the standard variety.
Cover Crops and Forage
For agricultural use or garden cover crops, Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) and Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) are common. Red Clover is a taller, short-lived perennial or biennial excellent for soil improvement and forage, boasting good drought and heat tolerance once established. Crimson Clover, an annual, is used as a cool-season cover crop known for rapid establishment and nitrogen enrichment. All clovers tolerate Utah’s alkaline soils well, but Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis) is one of the most drought- and heat-tolerant options available for large-scale applications.
Step-by-Step Planting Process
A successful clover planting begins with proper soil preparation, starting with a comprehensive soil test to determine pH and nutrient composition. A target pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for most clover varieties, and amendments should be made if the soil is highly acidic or overly alkaline. Prepare the planting area by removing or thinning existing turf and lightly scarifying the soil surface to expose the top quarter-inch of dirt. Scarification, done with a dethatcher or stiff rake, ensures the small seeds achieve necessary soil contact for germination.
Before broadcasting, use a starter fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium but low in nitrogen, since clover fixes its own nitrogen. The seed should be inoculated with the proper strain of Rhizobium bacteria to maximize nitrogen-fixing capability; this is often pre-done on commercial seed.
Broadcast the seed evenly over the prepared area, aiming for a depth of no more than one-eighth to one-quarter inch. A seeding rate of one-quarter to one-half pound per 1,000 square feet is typical for White Dutch or Microclover overseeding. To ensure even coverage, the seed can be mixed with a carrier like sand and spread in two perpendicular passes. After broadcasting, gently rake the area to lightly cover the seeds, then use a roller or walk over the area to compress the seed into the soil.
Initial Watering and Establishment Care
The two weeks immediately following seeding are the most fragile period, requiring a specific and consistent watering regimen. The soil surface must be kept continuously moist to facilitate germination without displacing the small seeds. This necessitates light, frequent watering, such as misting the area two to three times daily during warmer periods.
Once seedlings emerge, typically within seven to fourteen days, gradually reduce the watering frequency while increasing the duration. The goal is to transition the plants from shallow, frequent watering to deep, infrequent soaking, encouraging roots to grow downward. This transition period is necessary for developing a resilient root system that can withstand Utah’s dry climate, as established clover is significantly more drought-tolerant.
Managing weed competition is important, but broadleaf herbicides must be avoided since they will kill the clover. Hand-pulling large weeds is the safest method, or mowing the new stand at a high setting can suppress weed growth without damaging young leaves. Delay the first mowing until the clover is well-established, generally after it has reached a height of three to four inches.