Knowledgebase
What is the best clover seed option for overseeding my lawn this autumn? #772144
Asked September 18, 2021, 6:38 AM EDT
Through over-seeding, I would like to add clover (seed) to our lawn, but am overwhelmed with the options.
I've read about micro-clover, yellow clover, Dutch clover, etc. I'm exhausted of thinking about this and just want to do it! I'd would love someone to simply say, "here's why you should use this" and provide a link to the best clover seed option for our lawn.
We are located in an affluent suburban neighborhood in southeast Michigan, so something that stays close to the ground -- not too tall or "wild" -- would be desired so as not to upset the neighbors (especially since I've already converted over 200 square feet of green desert to pollinator gardens filled with very tall, swaying, flowering plants!).
The main part of our front lawn is in 100% full blazing sun all day, every day. So, something that is hardy, drought tolerant, urine resistant (yes, lots of neighborhood dogs), and low-profile, would be ideal. Suggestions?
I would likely purchase the seed myself, and ask the lawn aeration service to over-seed at the same time as they plug the lawn.
Thank you in advance for your guidance!
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
White clover (Trifolium repens) is traditionally planted in ornamental lawns and grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 11. "Dutch" or "New Zealand" white clover are the best varieties for lawns because they are low-growing and blend well with lawn grasses. I'd recommend them over micro clover and I don't know of anything that is dog urine resistant.
The inclusion of clover in seed mixtures is not recommended by some experts because bees may be attracted to lawn when the clover flowers. Another objection to clover arises from the difficulty in removing stains from children's clothing. Although some opposition to the use of clover exists, clover can be useful for turfs receiving low nitrogen fertilization and minimal irrigation. The nitrogen fixing capability of clover provides some nitrogen for the turfgrasses growing in a turf/clover mixture. Clover is also relatively drought tolerant compared to some turfgrasses. The nitrogen fixing and drought tolerant characteristics of clover make it an attractive species to include in lawn seed mixtures for those interested in a "natural organic" or lower maintenance lawn. Specific seeding rates for clover are not available, however, since clover will spread through stolon growth, a low percentage of clover in a seed mixture will likely provide sufficient opportunity for clover to establish in a lawn. I would suggest less than 1# clover for 5000sf. You'll probably need to mix it with a filler like dry sand to spread it as evenly as possible.
Links to more info on clover: https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn#flowers-for-bee-lawns-2939361
https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/white-clover-in-lawns
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs684/
https://turf.purdue.edu/white-clover/
