Understanding clover lawns

Clover lawns have become a sustainable choice for many homeowners due to their numerous advantages. Our ECO: Clover Lawn features white clover growth and root systems combined with hardy, fast-growing fescue and ryegrass species. This clover lawn seed mix grows quickly, is hardy, thrives in a wide range of soil conditions, outgrows weeds, and doesn’t require much watering or mowing. Clover offers additional benefits, such as nitrogen fixation, which enriches the soil with nitrogen converted from the atmosphere and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.

So, can I just throw clover lawn seed on the ground?

While it may seem tempting to scatter clover seeds across your lawn and let nature do its thing, a bit more effort is required to get the best results.

Here are some key steps you should consider when sowing your clover lawn seed:

Soil preparation

Prepare the soil by removing debris, such as rocks and weeds, and loosening the top layer using a rake. Aerate the soil if it appears compacted or if you have noticed your garden suffering from poor drainage when it rains. This will also ensure good seed-to-soil contact when sowing the seed! You can also remove weeds by hand at this stage.

Seed distribution

Rather than haphazardly throwing the seeds on the ground, spreading them evenly across the desired area is the better option. Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 50g per m2 using a seed spreader or your hand, and try to get even coverage across the area.

Rake the seeds gently

After distributing the seeds, gently rake them into the soil or lightly roll the area. This step promotes better seed-to-soil contact, which helps the seeds germinate.

Watering

A clover lawn seed mix requires moisture for growth. So, water the seeded area immediately after planting and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Water the area daily for the first six weeks, and then you can let nature do the rest of the work for you.

Maintenance

Mowing is typically only necessary when the grasses in the clover mix reach a height that is too tall for your liking. To control this, you can set your mower to its highest setting and trim across the top without affecting the clover. You can cut the grass and keep the clover around 5-10cm tall for a healthy, attractive lawn – this is easy to keep on top of since the grass grows taller naturally. Remember to wait until the grass is at least 7cm tall before mowing for the first time!

Tips for Growing a Lush Clover Lawn

When to plant your clover lawn seeds

Plant clover lawn seeds during the optimal growing season when temperatures are consistently 8-10 degrees Celsius and above, day and night, but avoid sowing in warm conditions and during a heatwave. Spring and autumn are the best times to sow clover lawn seed but check your local forecast before sowing to be sure the conditions are perfect!

Clover grows better with more sunlight

Clover is shade-tolerant and grows much better in these conditions than common grasses, but it still requires a good amount of sunlight to grow and thrive. Ensure the seeded area receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, and you can help this by trimming hedgerows and tidily grooming garden trees. If you can’t do this, don’t worry; the clover will still grow well in low light conditions but will grow a bit slower than normal.

Weed control

Clover is a durable and hardy plant and will outcompete most common weeds. If weeds do appear, you can remove them by digging them out with a hand trowel. Just be sure not to use weed killers, as these will target the clover and damage its growth.

Enhance the beauty of your garden with a clover lawn

Establishing a vibrant and flourishing clover lawn requires more than just throwing the seeds on the ground for the best results. But, by following the proper steps for soil preparation, seed distribution, and maintenance, you can create an attractive and eco-friendly clover lawn that enhances the beauty of your garden. Embracing a clover lawn reduces water consumption and the need for fertiliser and provides a natural habitat for pollinators. So go ahead, take the necessary steps, and enjoy the benefits of a lush clover lawn for years to come!

If you’re interested in growing a clover lawn or have any questions about adding clover to your garden, send us a message, and we will be happy to help.