Many homeowners include White Dutch Clover in their lawn seed mixture because clover sprouts fast and grows so dependably that it's a valuable aid in getting a new lawn started.
Nodules
on the roots fix nitrogen from the air. Actually, up to 1/3 the
nitrogen your lawn needs can be obtained from white dutch clover!
Grows vigorously even in poor clay subsoil around new home construction.
If you want all the benefits of a cover crop but don't want to till early or mow, clover is your best bet.
Getting a good stand of white clover is a first and critical step to success with this high quality, persistent crop.
Since white clover is usually grown with a cool season perennial grass
(may be planted alone too), it is usually either seeded at the same time
as the grass or seeded into an existing grass stand.
Seeding Rate
Seeding rates vary with geographic location, seeding method, and
seeding mixture. In general, rates 1/4 lb per 1000 square feet or 6 to 8
lbs per acre are recommended.
Seeding Depth
The
ideal seeding depth is approximately 1/4-inch maximum, but under
favorable weather and soil conditions, seed present on the soil surface
may germinate and become established. Good seed-soil contact is
important to ensure rapid germination and emergence.
Seeding Time
In the Southern USA, white clover is seeded in late winter or early
spring and in late-summerautumn. In the Northern USA, most white clover
is seeded in early spring or late summer.
Seeding Method
White clover can be seeded by many no-till or minimum till techniques
and by broadcast seeding. In conventional seedbeds, white clover is
almost always seeded with a perennial grass for lawns or hard or sheeps
fescue for erosion control. Just scatter the seeds, rake lightly, and
keep the seed moist until it sprouts!
After sprouting occurs,
cut back watering as root development starts taking place and less water
is needed. Withstands mild drought, grows well all over the U.S., even
on barren soil where nothing else wants to grow. Winter hardy and it
stays so low you can just till it under in spring if you are using it
for a cover crop.
Weeds
The best weed control is
provided by a vigorous white clover-grass stand. If necessary, white
clover-grass stands can be mowed to remove grass leaves and seedheads
and to suppress broadleaf weeds and woody vegetation.