Young clover plants need some time to establish. A good start is therefore definitely half the work.
Within two months after sowing: cut or graze
If you cut or graze the meadow within two months after sowing, plenty of sunlight will reach the young clover plants and they will grow well.
Limit fertiliser applications with autumn sowing
This will prevent the grass from becoming dominant and crowding out the clover so it stops growing or disappears. Clover needs sunlight to develop well.
Mechanical weed control
As the capacity for weed control is limited in a meadow with grass and clover, mechanical weed control is the best option. Chemicals are permitted but have a limited result or need a long time to produce a good result.
Adapt nitrogen applications
Clover does not like nitrogen. Therefore, apply a minimum of artificial fertiliser and limit your applications of slurry to about 2/3 of a normal rate and only fertilise in the spring. Clover does need potassium, which is a good fertiliser to apply in summer. You can create a good grass and clover meadow by adapting how much slurry is applied to suit the percentage of clover!
Avoid quality losses when ensiling
When harvesting, shake or create windrows at a low RPM to avoid damaging the fragile clover leaves, as the leaves have a high nutritional value and contain a lot of protein. Never shake dry crops. This will cause unnecessary losses. As a grass-clover mix is often a more protein-rich crop, conserving it is more complex than a customary grass-only crop. A silage additiveensures better conservation and maintains the protein quality.
FAQs
It's best to sow clover after an early arable crop, such as cereals or seed potatoes. This gives the crop time to develop well before winter and it will be less vulnerable to weed pressure. Clover needs water during germination, much more than grass, so it is important to sow clover when you know that rain is due.
Can I just throw clover seed on the ground? ›
As clover seeds are very small, hand spreading is required. To make this easier, I'd recommend mixing the clover seed in a bucket with sand and spreading that as a way to get more even coverage. Until the seeds germinate and the clover is established, water when it doesn't rain.
How long does microclover take to grow? ›
Microclover generally takes 7-14 days to germinate. After the seeds germinate, spread more seeds if there are any gaps or patches where the seed did not grow. Once it's established, microclover only needs to be watered one to two times a week.
What are the cons of clover grass? ›
Some potential downsides of a clover lawn include its tendency to attract bees (which may be an issue for those with allergies or concerns about pets and children), its invasive growth pattern, and its potentially uneven appearance compared to a traditional grass lawn.
What makes clover grow faster? ›
The key to giving clover a boost over competing grasses is to cut back on nitrogen-based fertilizers. Since clover fixes its own nitrogen, it will thrive even if this nutrient is lacking (while grasses usually won't).
Will clover choke out other weeds? ›
Clover is resilient, and its strength actually smothers other weeds. If your mower is tired of picking up those pesky, hard-to-kill weeds, clover may be the way to go. Growing clover does not allow room for typical lawn weeds to thrive, meaning the lawns you mow could be weed-free and beautiful!
Should I soak clover seeds before planting? ›
Place clover seeds in a quart jar or other sprouting container. Add ¼-½ cup cool water, cover with a sprouting screen or mesh sprouting lid and soak 8 hours or overnight. A humid environment will help the seeds germinate faster, but make sure you're being safe.
How long after planting clover can you walk on it? ›
Don't step, walk your dog, or throw a rave on the area until the clovers are a few inches tall. Once your lawn goes through a winter, it will officially be a grown-up clover lawn.
Does clover come back every year? ›
There are two main groups of clover: perennial and annual. Perennial clover is the more popular option since annual clover dies out more quickly. With perennial clover, you will need to reseed every two to three years. Annual clover will need to be reseeded every year.
Is micro clover toxic to dogs? ›
Yes, micro clover is a pet-friendly plant that won't have a harmful effect if it were to be ingested by a curious house pet.
Clover lawns will also provide safe haven and shelter to unwanted and disease-carrying pests, like ticks, snakes, and rodents, making your property less usable for playful kids and pets.
Does a clover lawn decrease home value? ›
It's a perennial, but it does need reseeding every few years. More likely to stain clothing (just don't roll around in it and you'll be fine) Doesn't withstand lots of foot traffic very well. May decrease your home's resale value (most people want turf)
Will clover choke out dandelions? ›
3. Clovers Reduce Weeds. It turns out clover does some of the “weeding” for you, too. As a dense ground cover plant, clovers — though they are also broad-leaved — are exceptional at crowding out other broadleaf plants such as dandelions, violets, and other plants that commonly populate lawns.
How do you encourage clover to spread? ›
Sowing Your Clover Seed
- Mix the clover seeds with sand or sawdust to improve coverage when spreading.
- Broadcast seeds across the seedbed working in a crosshatch pattern for even coverage.
- Gently rake small areas with an overturned garden rake or use a lawn roller to create good contact between the seeds and soil.
Alsike Clover is an extremely winter hardy perennial clover. A legume that is more adaptable to a variety of soil types and is extremely easy to grow in almost any condition. It is easy to establish where there is minimal soil preparation, but must be seeded shallowly.
Can you mow a clover lawn? ›
Unlike a conventional turfgrass lawn, a clover lawn only needs to be mowed twice a year, as it grows 2 to 8 inches tall. Most people mow it in midsummer after the clover has bloomed and dropped its seeds and again four to six weeks before the first fall frost. Any additional mowing is optional.
Will seed grow if you just throw it on the ground? ›
While the grass seed should germinate if you just throw it on the surface, you should know that there are a few negative effects of planting the seeds in this way. It could harm the speed and success of germination and may leave you with patchy and uneven coverage.
Can I seed clover without tilling? ›
If you must till or plow the soil before planting, be sure you wait 4 to 6 weeks for new weeds to emerge so you can kill them before planting the clover seed. You may also use the no-till method.
Does clover seed need to be buried? ›
Lightly rake the seeds into the soil to ensure good contact without burying them deeply. Water the area thoroughly and keep moist until germination. As the clover seedlings emerge, they will begin to establish, spread, and become thicker and denser over time.
Does clover seed need to be raked in? ›
Sowing Your Clover Seed
Gently rake small areas with an overturned garden rake or use a lawn roller to create good contact between the seeds and soil. Keep the soil and seeds moist. Water the area immediately after planting and two to three times daily for the first two weeks.
