Why Grow Clover?

Grass lawns were first popularized during the 17th and 18th centuries when they were considered a symbol of status. But turf grass is one of the thirstiest plants (it is the most widespread irrigated crop in the United States1), and it requires a lot of mowing and upkeep to keep it looking trim. Clover, on the other hand, is a comparatively low-maintenance plant that provides a lot of benefits to your lawn, regardless of whether your lawn is purely clover or a mixture of clover and grass.

• Less mowing. Dutch white clover and microclover naturally grow low to the ground and don't require as much mowing as turf grass.
• Less watering. Clover is more drought-resistant than many types of grass.2 Growing it slashes the water use in your yard.
• Less maintenance. Clover lawns don't just need less water and mowing. They also don't need fertilizer and should not be exposed to herbicides.
• More pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other insects love clover, and growing it in your yard attracts more pollinators to your space and increases pollination rates in nearby food gardens.
• Reduced pest damage. Growing clover in your yard can distract deer and rabbits from nibbling on other garden plants.
• Improved soil health. Like beans and peas, clover naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil and improves soil health and fertility over time.
• Aesthetics. When in bloom, clover lawns can be quite attractive to the eye with delicate flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, and more.

When and Where to Plant Clover Seeds

Clover fares best if it's planted when the weather is cool and rainfall is abundant. In a climate with cold winters, April or May is the best time to sow clover seeds as the weather is usually damp and mild at this time of the year, and there's less competition from grass plants. However, you can plant clover seeds earlier in spring or in early autumn as long as the seeds have at least a few weeks to grow before frost is expected in your area.

Clover tolerates full sun to light shade, but it won't grow or flower well in full shade conditions.

How to Overseed Your Lawn with Clover

Replacing your entire lawn with clover takes a lot of work and may require you to smother out existing turf grass with tarps or to remove it by hand. Overseeding patchy grass with clover is a quicker, easier, and more affordable process. Growing a mixture of clover and grass together creates a sturdier lawn as grass holds up better to foot traffic, and clover is more drought-resistant and naturally contributes nitrogen to growing grass.

1. Choose the Right Clover

There are several different clover varieties on the market today. Dutch white clover or microclover are the best options for standard lawns as they're durable and stay relatively low to the ground. Red clover and crimson clover are taller and more colorful options; they are best for meadowscaping and creating a lawn with a more naturalistic look.

2. Calculate the Amount of Seeds You’ll Need

For a pure clover lawn, you'll need about 2 to 4 pounds of clover seeds for every 1,000 square feet of yard space. If you're overseeding an existing lawn with clover, you'll only need about 4 to 5 ounces of clover seed for every 1,000 square feet of space.

3. Prepare the Planting Location

To prepare your planting site for clover, dethatch your existing lawn with a metal rake or detacher, and also consider aerating the soil with a soil aerator. If you have bare patches of soil, rake these areas clean, remove weeds with their roots, and level the soil if needed. You may want to apply a thin layer of compost over your lawn as well with your rake, but this isn't required.

4. Sow the Clover Seeds

Clover seeds are smaller and lighter than grass seeds. While they are typically sown by hand, they can also be planted with a broadcast spreader set on the lowest setting.

If you're planting a small area, just sprinkle the seeds as evenly as possible over the area you'd like to cover, or work in a checkerboard pattern, moving north to south and then east to west if you're covering a larger space.

Mixing 1 part clover seed with 3 to 8 parts soil or sand before application achieves a more even coverage.

5. Ensure Good Soil Contact

Once the seeds have been broadcast, gently walk on the area to press the seeds into the soil or use a lawn roller instead. Just avoid raking clover seed after planting as this covers the seeds with too much soil and reduces germination rates. Clover seeds should never be covered with more than ¼ inch of soil.

6. Add Water

Clover sprouts best when the weather is mild and the soil is damp. If rainfall is scarce, lightly water newly planted clover daily for the first 7 to 10 days after planting and then water as needed after that. Expect clover seeds to sprout in about 2 to 3 days when temperatures are above 60°F. In chilly weather, it takes clover longer to sprout.

7. Repeat as Needed

Clover takes some time to get established. For a more uniform lawn look, consider overseeding your lawn with additional clover seed in fall or the following spring. Replanting extra clover seeds every 2–3 years helps clover fill in and should create a more lush lawn look over time.

8. Provide Proper Care

Adding fertilizer favors the growth of grass, so if you want clover to take over, it's best to skip using fertilizer and herbicides entirely. While clover is establishing, keep your lawn trimmed short to reduce competition from existing grass. When clover plants mature, increase the mowing height to allow your lawn to grow a little longer to enjoy their summertime flowers!

If you want clover to self-sow, don't mow your lawn for 4 to 6 weeks in midsummer after flowering to let it produce mature seed heads.