- What is microclover?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Why is microclover good for your lawn?<\/a>
- Benefits of clover<\/a><\/li>
- Special benefits of microclover<\/a>
- Microclover grows well with turfgrasses<\/a><\/li>
- Microclover looks tidier than regular clover<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Disadvantages of microclover<\/a><\/li>
- How to grow microclover in your yard<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about microclover<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is microclover? <\/span><\/h2>
Microclover is a low-growing, dwarf variety of the common white Dutch clover (Trifolium repens<\/em>). It\u2019s popular for its ability to mix with different types of grass<\/a> lawns, creating a uniform appearance without crowding out <\/a>the turfgrass. <\/p>
In Europe, microclover has been a popular lawn alternative<\/a> for decades, but it\u2019s just now gaining steam in the U.S. <\/p>
Here in the states, the most popular varieties of microclover are \u201c\u2018Pirouette\u201d and \u201cPipolina\u201d (Trifolium repens<\/em> var. Pirouette and Pipolina). They grow 4-6 inches tall and tolerate close mowings (down to 3 inches) better than their white clover and red clover<\/a> sisters. <\/p>
Microclover\u2019s low growth and small leaves make it a tidy, attractive option for homeowners who want to add a low-maintenance, eco-friendly groundcover to their grass lawn.<\/p>
Why is microclover good for your lawn?<\/span><\/h2>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/microclover-closeup.jpg\")
SHOTPRIME<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> When you hear \u201cclover,\u201d you probably envision the well-known and widely-grown white clover<\/a>. It\u2019s the most common clover in the U.S., growing 4-8 inches tall and producing white flowers with a pink hue in spring and summer.<\/p>
Compared to \u201cregular clover\u201d (white clover), microclover grows lower to the ground, has smaller leaves, produces fewer flowers, and does not grow in clumps. The three-leafed plant is also the smallest type of clover. <\/p>
Benefits of clover<\/span><\/h3>
Both white clover and microclover (along with the <\/a>300 other varieties of clover<\/a> found worldwide) are legumes that offer a treasure trove of <\/a>lawn benefits when you plant clover<\/a> in your yard. <\/p>
Clover will \u2026 <\/strong><\/p>
- Reduce erosion<\/li>
- Crowd out common weeds<\/a><\/li>
- Fix atmospheric nitrogen to fertilize other plants<\/li>
- Create nutrient-rich green manure<\/li>
- Reduce lawn maintenance<\/li>
- Cut down on energy use from lawn mowing<\/a><\/li>
- Conserve water<\/li>
- Save money and time<\/li>
- Decrease the need for harsh chemicals like fertilizers<\/a> and pesticides<\/li>
- Reduce the need to aerate and dethatch your lawn<\/li>
- Attract beautiful pollinators<\/li>
- Discourage grass fungus<\/a> and diseases<\/li>
- Resist lawn pests<\/a> such as grubs<\/li> <\/ol>
It doesn\u2019t hurt that clovers are hardy in cold weather and they can grow in compacted soil, although they do perform best in aerated soil.<\/p>
Homeowners who don\u2019t want to bother with using lawn seed mixtures can switch to a new lawn grown entirely with clover, which will eliminate the need for using any fertilizers.<\/p>
Rabbits love to snack on clover, so growing clover increases biodiversity by providing a food source for the local wildlife. The tasty clover also distracts visiting bunnies from eating your turfgrass. <\/p>
Special benefits of microclover<\/span><\/h3>
Alongside the general clover benefits, microclover has two unique advantages that distinguish it from regular white clover.<\/p>
Microclover grows well with turfgrasses<\/span><\/h4>
Though white clover plays nicely with some turfgrasses, it\u2019s an aggressive grower that tends to <\/a>clump and crowd out desired grasses and groundcovers<\/a>. White clover is wonderful for reducing weeds like dandelions<\/a> and chickweed, but that dense, rapid growth comes at a cost. <\/p>
Microclover is less aggressive and grows lower to the ground, so it\u2019ll smother weeds without interfering with turfgrass growth. It\u2019s an excellent addition to tall fescue, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass lawns.<\/p>
Growing benefits:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 Slower growth habit than white clover, so it won\u2019t crowd out as many plants
\u2713 Can be planted with more varieties of grass<\/a> and groundcovers (because it grows less aggressively)
\u2713 Does not form as many clumps as white clover<\/p>Microclover looks tidier than regular clover<\/span><\/h4>
Microclover is naturally shorter than white clover<\/a>, and it can tolerate close mowings better than white clover can. In fact, microclover will grow more densely and produce smaller leaves the more frequently it is mowed, which is ideal if you want a traditional green lawn look.<\/p>
In general, microclover leaves are half the size of regular white clover leaves. If mowed, microclover leaves grow back smaller: Then they can shrink to as small as one-third the size of white clover leaves.<\/p>
Microclover flowers for one month in summer. If you prefer the uniformity of a green lawn, you can easily prevent flowers from appearing with regular mowing. <\/p>
Tip:<\/strong> Avoid scalping your turfgrass<\/a>. Mowing below 2 inches won\u2019t make your microclover happy and it could lead to turf damage and bare patches. <\/p>
Lawn appearance benefits: <\/strong><\/p>
\u2713 Shorter than white clover
\u2713 Great for a more traditional lawn look
\u2713 Close mowings won\u2019t damage microclover (white clover is more sensitive to mowings)<\/p>Disadvantages of microclover<\/span><\/h2>
![\"summer](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/closeup-of-microclover.jpg\")
SHOTPRIME<\/a> | Canva Pro | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Clover may be a lucky find, but there are some downsides. Based on soil type and climate, microclover will be especially tricky to grow on certain lawns. Consider these downsides of microclover.<\/p>
\u2717<\/strong> Does not tolerate drought or heat as well as white clover<\/strong> <\/p>
While white clover is fairly drought tolerant, microclover may start to die during the peak of summer when other grasses enter dormancy. This can lead to unsightly bare spots and erosion. If you live in a hot, dry area, you may need to reseed certain areas of your lawn.<\/p>
\u2717 Does not tolerate shade as well as white clover<\/strong><\/p>
While white clover is fairly shade tolerant, microclover needs at least four hours of full sun per day and does poorly in shaded areas. It won\u2019t thrive under trees or in the shadow of a building.<\/p>
\u2717 Is expensive to plant<\/strong><\/p>
Microclover seeds are expensive (especially compared to white clover) and can be hard to find at local gardening centers.<\/p>
\u2717 Cannot tolerate foot traffic as well as white clover<\/strong><\/p>
White clover can handle moderate foot traffic, but microclover is less resilient. If you are planting microclover in a play area, it will need to be mixed with turfgrass.<\/p>
\u2717 Is susceptible to southern blight<\/strong><\/p>
Clover generally resists disease, but microclover can be susceptible to southern blight disease in areas with high humidity and warm night temperatures. <\/p>
\u2717 It attracts stinging insects<\/strong><\/p>
It\u2019s important to note that clover attracts pollinators, so it may not be a good choice if you or your child have a bee sting allergy. <\/p>
How to grow microclover in your yard<\/span><\/h2>
To get that lush, green clover look in your lawn, you need to spread microclover seed in your yard. Luckily, once microclover is established, it doesn\u2019t require as much maintenance as a traditional grass lawn. <\/p>
In just a few hours, your seeds can be planted<\/a> and on their way to save the day. Follow these steps to get started:<\/p>
- Till 4-6 inches of the soil.<\/li>
- Add compost to boost soil fertility.<\/li>
- Add lime if your soil\u2019s pH level needs to be adjusted. Microclover performs best in soils with a pH level of 6 or 7.<\/li>
- Rake the soil to level out the surface.<\/li>
- Use a seed spreader to spread microclover seeds evenly across the yard.<\/li>
- Give the seeds frequent but light waterings to nurture the seeds. Seeds need enough water so that the soil stays moist but don\u2019t overwater the seeds. Water the microclover seeds once daily until they are established.<\/li>
- Microclover generally takes 7-14 days to <\/a>germinate. After the seeds germinate, spread more seeds if there are any gaps or patches where the seed did not grow.<\/li>
- Once it\u2019s established, microclover only needs to be watered one to two times a week<\/li>
- When you microclover lawn is well established and has grown to the desired size, you can mow it to keep it from getting too tall. <\/li> <\/ol>
Tip: Aerating your yard before spreading the microclover seeds creates excellent conditions for microclover to grow. <\/strong><\/p>
Microclover is a perennial, but it doesn’t have a long lifespan. To maintain a yard made entirely of microclover, you must reseed the clover every two to three years. <\/p>
Like other clover varieties, microclover does not grow well in sandy soil and will wilt or die if treated with a broadleaf herbicide<\/a>, so be careful to avoid treating your lawn with herbicides that will kill your clover.<\/p>
FAQ about microclover<\/span><\/h2>
1. How much does microclover cost? <\/span><\/h3>
Microclover seed can be pretty pricey. Most microclover runs about $40 to $50 per pound. For a new microclover lawn, you\u2019ll need 1-2 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. The cost of seeding microclover in your yard depends on the size of the yard:<\/p>
- Microclover looks tidier than regular clover<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Special benefits of microclover<\/a>
- Why is microclover good for your lawn?<\/a>