Microclover and grass work well together. Clover absorbs fertilizer by extracting it from the air and transporting it to the soil. Microclover variants are said to bloom less prolifically than traditional forms and to spread more effectively, avoiding a splotchy appearance.
However, these desirable characteristics come at a substantially higher cost.
Is it worth it, and are they everything they’re cracked up to be?
What Is Microclover?
Microclover is neither a miraculous plant nor as small as its name suggests. However, if you don’t mind a little clover, it can really help develop a nice-looking lawn.
In its first season, it has few leaves and fewer white flowers, but it may produce more blossoms in its second season. Microclover grows close to the ground and does not cluster like its larger cousin.
From a distance, it’s difficult to determine if there’s microclover in the grass, but up close, you’ll see it.
Why Should You Sow It Into Your Lawn?
As previously stated, it is capable of producing its own nitrogen. This nitrogen may help to replenish the soil organically and increase grass growth. As a result, you will need to spread fewer fertilizer, which will save you money on lawn maintenance each year.
There are additional benefits, too. As we all know, chemical fertilizers can wash away after heavy rains and end up in local water sources. It is vital that hazardous substances are kept out of our freshwater streams and lakes.
Clover can help to lessen the need for chemical fertilizers. Therefore, sowing clover is something every environmentally conscious household should consider.
Also, microclover is a low-maintenance grass filler that adds dimension to a lawn. When paired with the right grass seed, the clover can fill in gaps, improve the green tone of your yard, and create a distinct and pleasant texture in your lawn.
The resilience of microclover limits weed development. It spreads to fill in holes in your turfgrass and develops a dense canopy that keeps weeds at bay.
It Is Not For Everyone
To find out if microclovers can grow in your zone, contact a local landscape company or state agricultural department. In certain zones, the lush green foliage goes dormant and turns brown in cold weather. This may leave your lawn with unattractive bare spots.
Microclover cultivation has a dismal track record in the far southern United States. Southern blight disease, caused by prolonged periods of high heat and humidity, is lethal to microclover in this area.
Microclover is also significantly more expensive than traditional cultivars. Furthermore, many people believe that after the second season, the benefits of the smaller type have worn off. By the second season, the plant’s height will likely increase dramatically, and it will produce significantly more blooms.
Don’t Make the Whole Lawn One Species
While I strongly advise growing clover to avoid bare spots in a lawn, I advise against planting only one sort of plant.
For example, even though I love clover, I would advise everyone not to use just one variety for an entire lawn.
Instead, I advise planting a combination of grass and clover. Growing and maintaining will be considerably easier as a result of this. It will also highlight the relative power of each plant species and aid in the fight against weeds.
Furthermore, if you have one plant that is significantly more expensive than others, such as microclover, it helps offset expenditures.
